Almost all independent haulage companies are family businesses. Their success is built on core values including customer service, a sense of fairness and hard work. But when it comes to choosing a transport management system, is there a provider who shares your family values?

Choosing a transport management system (TMS) is a huge decision for independent hauliers. Buying a TMS represents an investment of money - but more importantly for family-run companies, it also requires an investment of time. It’s a big change in processes so, when it comes to finding a provider, it’s important to get it right first time.

Key criteria

Naturally, top criteria for selecting a TMS platform are price and functionality – does it do what you need it to do, is it easy to use, and will it deliver a return on investment? However, for smaller hauliers, you should also be asking this question: will my provider offer the same high level of customer service that I give my clients?

The co-owners of HaulTech very firmly believe in delivering that same consistency of customer experience. Clare Chidlow and Craig Lamont carried out an MBO to buy the business in 2018, recognising the opportunity to provide a personal touch to the TMS market. HaulTech remains a privately-owned and independent, family company, meaning it is run along the same lines as those of many of its customers. This has been a hugely successful strategy, with HaulTech now deployed with many hundreds of transport and haulage companies in the UK and Ireland.

“If you’re looking for a family-values approach to helping support your business then you’re in the right place,” says Clare. She joined the business in 2000, and prior to this she sold two-way radio systems to transport and haulage companies across the UK, so she has a strong track record in this sector.

“We view every customer as a partner,” she adds. “Our aim is to establish and maintain long-term working relationships built on trust and personal service. Only by gaining a thorough understanding of every customer’s unique requirements, and knowing what makes their business tick, can we be confident in providing solutions to truly benefit each fleet operator.” 

Craig also brings over 25 years of specialist knowledge in vehicle tracking, telematics and vehicle CCTV industries. He joined a UK-based vehicle tracking start-up in 2002, leading its SME sales team. The company grew to become one of the top three telematics providers in the UK and in the top 10 worldwide.

“Our approach is simple,” he says. “We take the time to understand each haulier’s operations to ensure that we deliver the ideal mix of technologies and support for them. This makes HaulTech a valuable partner for independent hauliers and a safe pair of hands to support their operational growth.”

Tailored solutions

Working together for over two decades, Clare and Craig have helped shape HaulTech’s market-leading range of transport management software solutions. 

“This means crafting individual TMS solutions to fit each business, both on a human and commercial level,” says Craig. “We are not just selling ‘off the shelf’ products - which often is the approach elsewhere.”

Many potential clients are taking their first steps towards a TMS, after decades of operating on paper-based systems, spreadsheets, or a mixture of both. The process begins with an exchange of information, so that HaulTech can understand exactly how the haulier operates. This builds a strong foundation for helping the haulier transition seamlessly from the old way to a better way of doing things.

HaulTech’s cloud-based TMS offers all the features needed for a haulier, from job booking and scheduling through to electronic proof of delivery and invoicing. 

However, HaulTech can offer a full suite of products, including vehicle tracking and cameras. “The key is that the HaulTech TMS is tailored to you,” adds Craig. “It is specifically suited to how you operate – from full loads and next day delivery, through to European and specialist transport.”

Efficiency all round

Ultimately the goal is to save time and money for hauliers.

“Haultech has delivered efficiency all round for us,” said Jack Ponsonby, operations director of M A Ponsonby Transport. “It is very easy to implement and to use. It enables us to plan and manage our work in a smarter way. It also saves us a lot of time compared to using an A4 paper diary. We are a small team and run a tight ship, so freeing us up to focus on other areas of the business has a huge impact. It helps significantly with compliance, too.”

Specialist solutions include HaulTech’s multi award-winning Bulk Haulage Transport Software. Trusted by multiple users across the UK and Ireland, it is designed to improve and enhance a haulier’s existing workflow and processes. This dedicated TMS for bulk hauliers enables them to reduce administrative processes by up to 80%, minimise operational costs and manage the entire process from job booking to invoice.

Users include Essex-based aggregates specialist, Aggreg8. “We were using spreadsheets and paper to start with because that was sufficient for our needs,” said Lauren Fryett, office manager at Aggreg8. “However, as the business grew so quickly, we realised that we needed a dedicated system to manage it all. We have enjoyed very rapid growth and HaulTech has played a key part in that. Using the TMS allowed us to double our output by using our existing resources.”

A similar story is repeated across HaulTech’s client base. Time after time, HaulTech has made a positive impact on efficiency and supported growth.

“We grew from a handful of HGVs in 2020 to more than 15 today,” said Mike Bones, head of transport at Velocity Transport Solutions. “HaulTech has certainly played a part in enabling that growth. The transport planning is very user-friendly.

“HaulTech have been fantastic, we cannot fault them at all. They are extremely flexible and responsive to our needs. I would definitely recommend HaulTech – in fact, I have recommended it to another haulier in the North-East and they are now also using the system.”

For Jack Ponsonby, whose father started the M A Ponsonby business and remains managing director, it comes back to those family values. “We chose HaulTech over other providers because they run their business in a similar way to us,” he says. “They have a huge focus on customer relations and are a close-knit team. You never feel like a small fish in a big pond.

“They are very personable people and have maintained the fantastic service they provided at the outset. Even though we are now an established customer, we still get the same high level of support every time we need it. I would recommend HaulTech to other hauliers in a heartbeat.”

To find out how HaulTech could benefit your business, visit https://haultech.co.uk/