News

Planning the Perfect Summer Road Trip

Posted on 20/02/2012

With summer just around the corner, a great way of enjoying the warm weather and sunny conditions is planning a cross-country road trip. Cruising through luscious forestry settings on your way to a local beach or leisure resort can be a fantastic way to escape and enjoy a little summer adventure. There are many destinations all over the UK you can choose to drive to; whether for a day trip or a weekend stay, packing up the car and heading out for a relaxing drive is a sure fire way of getting away from monotonous weekends and doing a little exploring! Here are a few thoughts before you head out on the open road however.

Prepare Your Vehicle

It’s always a good idea to run a quick check up on your vehicle before heading out; be sure to check oil and water levels in the engine, this will help to keep your engine cool and running smoothly whilst in hot conditions. Be sure to fill up your windscreen washer fluid reserve, and add a cap of glass cleaner for good measure.
If you are planning to stay a few nights, be sure to clear enough room in the vehicle to pack each person’s bags; if you plan to camp then you will need extra room for your tent and camping utensils.

Plan Your Route

Be sure to plan ahead when organizing a road trip; check out all country roads on a map and set up the route on a satellite navigation unit if possible. Driving long distance is sure to take you through uncertain areas and roads that you have not visited before, but treat this experience as an adventure. New and interesting towns and villages will provide aesthetically pleasing scenery, so if you feel you have time, why not plan your journey to take you through some of the quaint villages that you may otherwise pass by.

So there we are, a few simple reminders and ideas to help you make the most of your summer simply by packing some bags and heading out!

A Message for New Drivers

Posted on 14/02/2012

The importance of driving with a level head is hugely apparent to us here at Speed Couriers; the temptation to drive like a seasoned rally driver seems to be irresistible to some younger drivers, which inevitably causes tragic accidents worldwide. So here are a few thoughts for the young or new drivers, who may not have given much thought to road safety.

Residential Areas

A huge mistake many new drivers often make is driving too quickly or recklessly in residential areas; this is a common cause of pedestrian fatalities and something all drivers should give some serious thought to. The excessive amounts of cars parked alongside the roads in these areas make it especially difficult to spot pedestrians and children emerging from the pavement, so be sure to drive at a third of the speed you normally would.

Speeding

Speeding will earn you a hefty fine and points on your license; regular offenders can expect to have their licence revoked too. This is very costly in the current economic climate so think ahead and drive sensibly; speed restrictions are in place for a reason.

Avoid Drink and Drugs

Unfortunately the fairly obvious nature of this rule is not effective enough to stop many young drivers operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and drugs. There are many side effects to these substances that can lead to death, injury and jail sentences; many of which involve over confidence, lack of concentration and the loss of proper hand eye coordination.

There are many lessons which cannot be learned by young or new drivers until they are properly on the road, but we urge all new drivers to follow the obvious rules set in place for them; these rules are created and put in place to protect them and other road users.

Winter Driving Checklist

Posted on 06/02/2012

As the cold snap has seen snowfall make the roads of Great Britain treacherous to say in the least, accidents and traffic jams are to be expected until the roads clear. Here at Speed Couriers, we’ve found ourselves tread-deep in snow and, whilst stuck in traffic jams, have made a winter driving checklist which should help to keep all our loyal readers safe and warm this winter!

Slankets – Delays on motorways and A roads are to be expected with the bad weather and it can get rather chilly at the wheel. A blanket with sleeves is the ultimate glove box companion, pop it on in a traffic jam or whilst you’re waiting for your car heaters to kick in of a morning.

Emergency fuel – whilst fuel for your car is important, keeping yourself fed and watered throughout long journeys can help to increase your driving safety. Dehydration and hunger can reduce concentration, which can delay reaction times whilst driving. Keep some high protein snacks and bottled water in your glove compartment at all times to get you through those tiring delays.

De-icing tools – A scraper and de-icer fluid are essential for even the shortest of journeys. If your windscreen continually freezes over it can drastically reduce visibility, have a scraper for getting rid of fresh snow and de-icer to eliminate the ice blocking your view.

Breakdown information – Be sure to carry details of your breakdown service, you’re more prone to accidents and malfunction of your vehicle in the cold weather. Don’t just have it saved on your mobile phone as the battery could die, pop a card with the number on somewhere safe in your car so you definitely have the number.

5 Reasons Why a Courier Service could work for you

Posted on 23/01/2012

We live in a digital age where we can do pretty much anything online – particularly shopping. As well as the retail giants providing online shopping services, small businesses launching e-commerce sites and individuals who go it alone by using their own eBay stores also provide web-based purchasing. As these small businesses and eBay shops grow in popularity, their goods fly off the virtual shelves – which is brilliant except for the fact they need delivering on-time!

If you have a small online business or eBay shop and are struggling to cope whilst handling deliveries then here are 5 reasons why a courier service, like Speed Couriers, could work for you.

1. If you sell time sensitive products which need to reach the recipient by a certain date you can opt for a same or next day delivery courier service. This is popular for items such as event tickets, which will be useless if not delivered in time.

2. Many people worry about the reliability of courier services, no one wants their goods to go missing in transit. Real-time tracking systems allow you to track your parcel throughout its journey to its intended destination – which makes the delivery as safe as it would be on your backseat.

3. Sometimes you need to deliver heavy items, which can be problematic if you go-it-alone and struggle to carry the item. Couriers will do the delivering and collecting for you, meaning you don’t have to risk injuring or straining yourself.

4. From time-to-time you may need to send confidential or sensitive information to somewhere out of your driving distance. Couriers enable you to do this securely, with vetted drivers ensuring the confidential gets from A to B safely and securely.

5. Here at Speed Couriers you can always be sure you and your recipient are greeted with a friendly smile. We understand customer service goes along way, so not only do our friendly drivers put a smile on your face, they also reflect well on your business too!

Confidence on the Roads

Posted on 19/01/2012

Driving is something the guys at speed couriers love to do regularly; taking a little time to casually cruise to your destination can be relaxing and therapeutic when conditions are right and the roads are quiet. There is however, always room for improvement when it comes to our driving technique, and it is hard to relax and enjoy the open road when we lack confidence and skill on the road. That’s why speed couriers have come up with a few simple tips that could help you to improve both performance and confidence in your vehicle.

Steer Properly

It’s commonly the case that people stop handling the steering wheel at the ‘ten to two’ position soon after they pass their driving test; in an attempt to look more casual or cool whilst behind the wheel. Unfortunately, they often lose control of the wheel and the stability that feeding the wheel through your hands offers whilst turning. Be safe and always handle your car in the manor you were taught; you can drive safe in the knowledge that you have a better grip on the direction of your vehicle.

Assess the Road Ahead

Be sure to take each corner in an appropriately low speed and gear; many accidents occur when people are over confident with upcoming corners and bends, especially if they use them regularly. Always be sure to treat each corner, bend and roundabout like it is the first time you have used it; this will ensure you give a little more care and attention into your driving.

Check Your Tyres

Ensuring your tyres are in good condition is a vital part of car maintenance; having the required depth in your tyre tread ensures that your car grips and sticks to the road effectively. This can contribute to how effectively your car takes corners and how well you can accelerate without skidding. The minimum legal requirements for tyre tread depth are 1.6mm, so be sure that all your tyres meet these requirements.

New Hardware Trials Begin

Posted on 18/01/2012

A core of Speed’s Sameday Courier drivers will soon begin trailing a new real time signature capture device with a view to replacing the existing HP IPAQ hand helds. After months of research, the device chosen to be moved on to field testing is the Motorola ES400 E.D.A. (Enterprise Digital Assistant). Subject to a successful field trial the new driver hand helds will be issued to our Courier drivers before the end of February.

The Motorola ES400 is a cutting-edge mobile Enterprise Digital Assistant that gives field workers and drivers access to critical enterprise-class applications anywhere. In real terms it smoothes and speeds the flow of information from Control to Driver, and ultimately onto the Customer.

Improvements in the vehicle tracking capabilities of the machines should allow better fleet utilisation; a reduction in miles travelled due to improved routing and subsequently reduced emissions

Speed Couriers was at the forefront of the “real time signature capture” revolution in the courier industry; substantial benefits were seen by customers through the use of advanced courier booking systems and integrated mobile data applications. Who could argue against the benefit of being able to receive a hard copy proof of delivery the instant that a consignment is delivered?

Look out for the new hardware when our drivers make their collections from you!

Tips for being a Savvy Member of the eBay Community

Posted on 11/01/2012

eBay provides an effective solution for selling unwanted goods at a reasonable price. It makes perfect sense - you get money for an unwanted item whilst someone else gets a used item they so badly want/need for a rate that’s (usually) cheaper than RRP.

You do hear horror stories from people who haven’t received goods they’ve paid for or have sent goods to a buyer who hasn’t paid and cancelled their account. If you’re new to eBay these stories can be rather off-putting, but with this simple guide you should be eBaying with confidence in no time.

• Always post a buyer’s goods to them within the agreed timescale. There’s nothing more irritating than buying something and not getting it for when you need it. You could use a same day/next day courier like us reliable chaps here at Speed Couriers to be sure it’s received in time. If the buyer has kept their agreement by making a speedy payment you should reciprocate with speedy delivery.

• Charge a reasonable amount for deliver. If you’ve whacked on an extortionate delivery rate to bump up the price of your item you may risk putting off potential buyers, if you have your item on an auction you could potentially lose out on money through lack of bids.

• Always use secure methods of payment. eBay recommends using PayPal to transfer payments between buyers and sellers, this is so the payment can easily be tracked. This makes it safe for both buyers and sellers to use eBay properly and reduces the risk of being scammed.

• Beware of phishing emails which claim to be from eBay. Some unfortunate ebay users have fallen victim to scammers, who have pretended to be eBay in order to obtain personal information such as bank details. If you’re ever unsure as to whether an email is genuine then call eBay to make sure before sending any information – remember genuine websites would never ask for bank details through emails.

• Don’t be a fraudster. So many people cheat their way to getting amounts for their items by getting friends to make false bids on it to increase its value. Instead of doing this, promote the auction through your social media profiles to implement genuine interest.

Travelling the UK

Posted on 06/01/2012

At speed couriers, we know all too well the trials and tribulations that can come with motoring up and down the country. As we come to the end of a very dubious winter, it seems only appropriate that we properly analyse the conditions of the weather and roads before planning any long distance trips. As our weather is generally temperate for most of the year, it’s normally quite safe to take along a moderately sized jacket, but with regular showers in certain parts of the UK it’s wise to check the weather report if you plan on spending time outdoors.

Trips to tourist and visitor attractions such as Blackpool and Alton Towers are frequent for many groups of friends and family; these are prime examples of trips that consist of a couple of hours driving and extended periods spent in the great outdoors, come rain or shine! Just to be safe, pack a few extras to see you through potentially harsh weather; a waterproof jacket, watertight walking shoes, suitable legwear and a sturdy umbrella should suffice for each member of your party.

If you plan on travelling long distance any time soon, be sure to take enough supplies to see your journey through; we all know how confident motorway service stations have become with their pricing. A pre prepared sandwich or two can certainly fill the gap when taking a pit stop and a hot thermos of coffee can keep you alert for a little longer while tackling the dreary roads!

Planning ahead is always the key to a successful trip, assess the duration of your trip and the weather and be sure to pack everything you could need! 
 

Speed Biker Hits the Headlines

Posted on 21/12/2011

One of Speed’s motorcycle courier team, Colin “Fossie” Foster, has hit the headlines in Practical Sportsbike magazine.

Due to Colin’s long standing favouring of a classic motorbike for his work as a despatch rider, he has come to the attention of the magazine and featured in a four page spread detailing his confidence in the early eighties Suzuki Katana.

The article, which makes an interesting read, covers Colin’s early working life in the service of Queen and Country, through years spent as a HGV driver, and onto the start of 20 years (so far) on the roads as a motorcycle courier.

Covering the early days he spent with Diamond Despatch in Wythenshawe, through to his current home with us at Speed Couriers, he has remained loyal to the Suzuki Katana motorcycle. In fact, he still runs an immaculately maintained 1982 model with upwards of 288,000 miles on the clock as his daily work bike!

How to Speed up the Delivery of your Parcel

Posted on 20/12/2011 10:33:00

With Christmas just around the corner many people are worrying about how long it will take their goods to be delivered over the festive period. With disruptions to mail services due to closure on the most celebrated day of the year and an abundance of packages awaiting delivery, there’s often a backlog of undelivered items. Here at Speed Couriers, we aim to keep things running as smoothly as possible so all our packages are where they need to be at the right time – but we need your help! Making sure you prepare your packages correctly for our couriers can help to ensure that your all-important delivery reaches its destination in pristine condition and on-time.

Here are a few pointers to consider when packaging your parcel to make sure your delivery is speedy:

Always use packaging that’s strong enough to withhold the goods inside, this helps to protect your parcel during transit. Avoid using material that can easily rip and tear as this could result in the contents of your package spilling and getting lost in transit. Use a strong tape when sealing the parcel too, goods which come undone have more chance of getting lost.

Use the correct sized box for your delivery: too small and the package could burst open, too large and your goods are likely to move around during transit which increases the chances of them getting damaged. If your box is too big then tightly wrap your goods in bubble wrap or polystyrene to pad it out, this also provides a cushioning layer which can help to prevent damage caused by movement during transit.

Notify the courier if your goods are fragile or require extra carefulness when being handled. Although our couriers always handle goods with the utmost care it’s important for them to know what kind of item is inside the package (they’re not mind readers!). You could simply write “fragile” in clear writing on the package to let our couriers know that your package is a delicate one.

Ensuring your package is prepared appropriately for delivery can help you as well as us! It can assist us in providing an effective courier service for you and getting the goods you need to you on-time!

Is your Car Ready to Drive this winter?

Posted on 14/12/2011 10:46:00

Being the largest independent courier company in the Northwest, Speed Couriers know the trials and tribulations involved when driving in cold, frosty conditions. As winter brings conditions which make driving to and from your chosen destination a lot more risky, it is vital that drivers give extra care and attention when traveling. Here are a few thoughts that could help save you a lot of trouble on the roads this winter.

If you awaken to find your garden coated in a hint of frost or a coat on snow, your first thought should certainly be “how can I avoid driving?” Driving in hazardous conditions such as these is without question, more risky than most drivers come to expect. Visibility in these conditions are commonly reduced, so be sure to check all bulbs are working properly and you are able to make your car visible to others when visibility is poor. Be sure to clear excess snow from front and rear lights to ensure the light is not being smothered, and do the same for front and rear licence plates to eliminate the possibility of being fined.

It is essential that tyres have a suitable tread depth when planning to drive in winter; the minimum legal requirement for driving generally is 1.6mm, but in winter conditions are different and a bare minimum of 2mm per tyre is essential. It is commonly believed that reducing your tyre pressure can give the car more grip on the road; this is not true and has does not work and has been proven to reduce handling capabilities.

If you are an early bird and cannot avoid driving to work, get up 20 minutes early to prepare your vehicle for a winter drive, rushing out onto frosty roads in an unprepared car is asking for trouble; take time to warm your engine and clear your windscreen.

Remember, if you can avoid driving in any way possible, then do. Winter brings hazardous conditions to the roads, and often people do not realise just how dangerous driving in winter can be until an accident has been caused.

Christmas Donations

Posted on 13/12/2011 15:03:00

Wood Street Mission

Speed Couriers value greatly all of our customers; due to their continued support of our business we are able, in a small way, to support projects in the local community.

Rather than send a Christmas card or  try and visit each and every one of our clients at Christmas, Speed Couriers M.D. Shaun Merrick prefers to make a donation to a local charity to demonstrate the company’s gratitude for our customers continued support.

As last year, Shaun has decided to donate to The Wood Street Mission; a charity based in the City Centre that helps children and their families in the Salford and Manchester area with practical support such as clothing, bedding and toys.

Click on the link below to visit The Wood Street Mission.

Posting Presents this Christmas

Posted on 12/12/2011 17:29:00

Posting Presents this Christmas

The time for posting overseas this Christmas is quickly drawing to an end, with today marking the last day in which you can post Christmas packages around the world via international airmail, it’s worth considering how many packages you are planning to send around the UK and how long you have to get them sent!

Posting gifts to friends and family around the country is a great way of ensuring all gifts reach each recipient in time for Christmas, but as with all services, deliveries are sure to stop shortly before Christmas. This is why taking note of the recommended posting service dates is important if you are looking to spread the Christmas joy via postal services! The following are the recommended dates for postage around the UK as we approach the Christmas holidays.

UK

Wed 14th Dec – Standard Parcels
Sat 17th Dec – Second Class and Recorded Signed For™
Tue 20th Dec - First Class and Recorded Signed For™
Wed 21st Dec – Parcelforce express48
Thu 22nd Dec – Parcelforce24
Special Delivery™
Thu 22nd Dec – Special Delivery™
Friday 23rd Dec – Special Delivery™ with Saturday Guarantee
British Forces Post Office (BFPO)
Thu 15th December - Airmail to Static BFPOs

So there we are; a short guide that could help you to ensure your loved ones receive their carefully chosen gifts this Christmas.

How Same Day Delivery is the Best Option

Posted on 12/12/2011 17:03:00

One of the largest expenses for a retail business using a courier service is failed delivery. Footing the bill for lost goods which haven’t arrived to the correct customer at the stated time can be costly for a number of reasons which are often stated in the contract. This is why choosing the correct courier service and delivery window can effect just how effectively your business operates. Disappointed customers who complain and demand a refund for delivery can affect your business more negatively than paying a little extra for same day delivery from a reliable courier.

Same day delivery comes with a guarantee that, in the instance of failed delivery the business gets refunded from the courier. Although every courier is different, this may not be the case with next day delivery – if the delivery is a day late the business has to foot the bill rather than the courier. This is why same day delivery is the best cost effective option for many businesses (in addition to it being extremely convenient in the event of an urgent delivery requirement).

Before choosing a definitive courier, businesses are advised to read the small print in the terms and conditions of their contract. Many businesses sign up for courier services, and then decide they are unhappy with the services only to find their complaint was actually covered in the terms and conditions of their contract. Much like other contracts, delivery is an important one and shouldn’t be overlooked – if it does get neglected it can be more costly in the long run.

Benefits of Medical Couriers

Posted on 06/12/2011 16:03:00

Medical couriers are a valuable sector within the health industry. They handle secure deliveries of medicines and other medical products and pharmaceuticals. Without medical couriers, the transferring of important specimen samples and medicines wouldn't be as effective - meaning patients wouldn't receive the same standard of treatment. Medical couriers work closely with the NHS as well as private practices to ensure health services run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Medical couriers help to keep NHS costs to a minimum as outsourcing the job usually works out more cost effective than having an in-house team responsible for the deliveries. Here at Speed Couriers, our specialist medical couriers deliver the goods on either a motorcycle, by car or by a van. They pride themselves on their efficiency to deliver much needed goods as and when required by the health service.

Using medical couriers ensures secured delivery for sensitive goods. All our couriers are thoroughly vetted during the rigorous recruitment process to ensure they're suitable for the line of work. Enhanced CRB checks are also carried out on potential couriers to help safeguard the public and make sure the medical goods are in safe hands.

Because of the nature of the health industry, sometimes samples or specimens need to be transferred to different specialist clinics. This is where medical couriers come in – they often work on an ad-hoc basis so the all-important packages are where they need to be at the specified time. The speedy delivery of pharmaceuticals allows doctors to diagnose and administer the required drugs to patients – making for an efficient health service. Sometimes the samples need to be transferred between medical centres as a matter of urgency, medical couriers are on-hand to provide both scheduled and ad-hoc deliveries – depending on the requirement.

It's not just medical supplies and samples that need transferring, medical equipment may also need to be transported between clinics. Sometimes new medical equipment and machinery needs collecting and delivering from the manufacturer, which is another job for medical couriers. They're also available to transfer equipment between laboratories, as and when it's needed.

If you're interested in using a medical courier for your health centre or private surgery give Speed Couriers a call today. Our friendly, efficient team are on hand to provide both scheduled, regular and on demand service to meet the needs of your patients. We specialise in handling medical supplies and equipment with enhanced security and high efficiency.

What Makes an Effective Courier Service?

Posted on 30/11/2011 12:28:00

Here at Speed Couriers we aim to provide the best service to our customers, so we ensure loyal customers who are thrilled at using our service on a regular basis. With many courier services out there, we want to stand out from the crowd and provide the best courier experience for our customers. So what makes an effective courier service?

Vehicle Variety

Here at Speed Couriers we have vehicles fit for each different customer’s courier needs. We have three different types of vehicle which include:

• Motorcycles – perfect for speedy delivery of small packages and envelopes.
• Vans – for multiple items or larger packages.
• HGV Lorries – for transferral or delivery of large equipment and machinery, Lorries are often manned by 2 drivers who can handle the heavy goods.

Our vehicles are driven by fully vetted drivers who have a passion for customer service and getting the goods to the right place at the right time. We provide a medical courier service too, to provide an effective outsourced vehicle fleet option for the health service. All 3 vehicle types are available for use as medical couriers and our drivers have enhanced CRB checks prior to employment to ensure their safety and reliability.

Excellent Customer Service

There’s nothing more frustrating than a courier who has your goods and hasn’t delivered them on-time. Then when you try to contact them to source your package makes you realise it would have been easier to transfer the goods yourself! That’s why here at Speed Couriers, we pride ourselves on excellent customer service and like to keep our customers in the loop about their delivery.

Our drivers are available for contact at any point of the day prior to your delivery so you can track the progress of your goods – no need for planning your day around a delivery! We also notify you by your preferred method of contact once the goods have been delivered successfully.

If you need secure delivery for even the most fragile of packages then look no further than Speed Couriers. If you find our courier service works effectively for your business/organisation you can book or schedule us as your regular courier. Outsourcing a delivery network between multiple business sites/locations can often prove more cost effective than hiring in-house couriers and managing your own vehicle fleet.

The Speed Couriers Method

Posted on 22/11/2011 17:19:00

At Speed Couriers we love to find ways in which we can build and improve on the quality and efficiency of the service we provide. Being the largest independent courier company in the Northwest of England it is vital and certainly important to us that we continue to provide a high quality and cost effective service to all of our clients. We operate a fleet in excess of 60 vehicles and ensuring each delivery is carried out with maximum care and efficiency is something we take pride in doing well.

Our focus on providing outstanding customer service and satisfaction is also of huge importance; it has led us to invest substantially in modern technical devices designed to fine tune and improve every delivery we make. Let's take a quick look at some of the features we have invested in to bring you the best possible service:

Van Tracking

We have fitted each of our vans with 'Real-time' satellite tracking systems, which allows us track each of our vans at any point during delivery. As well as helping us to ensure each delivery is en route and on time, it also allows us to give each of our client’s piece of mind; you can rest assured that Speed Couriers are consistently up to date with the exact position of your package.  As we take such great pride in our efficiency and commitment to completing all deliveries inside the designated target delivery time, we have a great drive and determination to being as accurate as possible when locating deliveries. We have the ability to do this by receiving constant live updates from the built in satellite tracking systems.

We believe that providing a fast, efficient and punctual courier service is what counts; having the ability to track deliveries and advise clients on delivery times helps up to improve that service even more.

Electronic Signature Capture

The application of an electronic signature capture device on our courier dispatches helps us to improve our service yet again. These devices are individually set to each courier so we know exactly which driver and vehicle has been dispatched or each client; each delivery is to be confirmed with an electric signature on one of our devices. This allows us to present you with the delivery and have it immediately confirmed, this is them sent back to our database and confirmed as a successful delivery.

At Speed Couriers, we invest in new methods and ideas that allow us to give our clients the best service possible. After just one delivery, you will see how Speed Couriers have become the largest independent courier service in the Northwest!
 

Welcome to our Brand New Website

Posted on 19/10/2011 09:47:00

Welcome to our Brand New Website!

The old site served us very well but as part of a wider "freshening up" of our image we thought it was high time to rebuild the website.

We hope you like it and would love to hear your comments; please click here to drop us a line.

 

 

M.P. opens new Speed Operations Centre

Posted on 01/10/2010 17:38:00

 

Speed Couriers has bucked current economic trends and continued to grow throughout the recession.

Expansion has meant new premises and in Oct 2010 the new Operations Centre was officially opened by Kate Green, Labour M.P. for the Stretford and Urmston.

This marks an exciting new chapter for the company that originally started with a grant of £2,000 from The Princes Trust in 1985 and is now the largest independent courier organisation in the region, serving both the public and private sectors.

The company is seen as a barometer of the local business economy as it serves a wide range of business sectors across the region.  Shaun Merrick, Speed's MD says, "Business confidence is still very fragile in our region and our customers tell us that trading conditions remain slow and difficult, but Speed has bucked that trend by taking a conscious decision to invest for growth 18 months ago. Our strategy has paid off and we have grown through the recession and are now investing again with a new larger courier centre, to take advantage of the economic recovery as it develops." 

The new premises combine staff and site capacity of the recently acquired Elite Sameday and have facilities for short term and long-term storage facilities including archive, pick and pack and secure distribution. 

Merger with Elite Sameday

Posted on 05/08/2010 15:26:00

Stockport based Elite Sameday have merged with Speed Couriers. 

M.D. Shaun Merrick says "the more specialist market sector serviced by Elite Sameday; event logistics, fulfillment and retail display logistics, complement the sameday courier and overnight services offered by Speed Couriers"

Merger with Transit Fast

Posted on 11/08/2009 15:01:00

 

Long standing Manchester rivals, Transit Fast, have merged with Speed Couriers - further increasing the Trafford Park based Sameday Couriers dominance of the North West Courier market.

Merger with Panic Couriers

Posted on 01/01/2009 12:50:00

 

Panic Couriers have merged with Speed Couriers creating possibly Manchesters largest independent same day courier service.

New Van Tracking Technology

Posted on 01/01/2009 12:50:00

 

Speed Couriers have invested heavily in technology enabling us to track our vans, giving live updates of your parcels movement anywhere in the UK. The drivers PDA's enable us to email proof of delivery of your important consignment within moments of it being delivered.

M.D. Shaun does a distance job!

Posted on 01/01/2009 12:50:00

M.D. Shaun does a distance job!

 

Charity Ride - John 'o' Groats to Lands End

Day1; A gentle 495 miles up to John 'o' Groats and early to bed in preparation for a pre-dawn departure.

Day2; Left the hotel at 05.45 and nearly hit 2 kamikaze deer that ran out in front of me within half a mile! In addition there were also countless suicidal rabbits before sunrise. Sunrise was spectacular, but brought no real warmth as it was still very cold indeed. When I stopped for petrol, I noticed a small patch of ice.

As I passed each loch, there would be great clouds of steam rising up from the water. Stunning bleak scenery! Northern Scotland REALLY is sparsely populated as I couldn't find an open cafe for breakfast until I'd done nearly 200 miles!!!...And the weather had worsened, very grey, overcast, damp and cold.

Fortunately by Glasgow, the sun made an appearance and my spirits shot up with the temperatures. I crossed the border into England at Gretna having already done 380 miles! Scotland is bigger than you realise!

The M6/M5 motorway run was boring, but effective at covering mileage, and the traffic was flowing remarkably well. Layers of clothing were being taken off and put into the top box. As you get to the end of the M5 it feels as if you are almost there, whereas in actual fact there's nearly 120 miles of A road left to Lands End.

Everything was going well until darkness fell, and with it came a thunderstorm for the last 50 miles and the roads got progressively worse the closer you got to Lands End. I finally reached the Lands End Hotel at 10.15pm after 850 miles in 16 1/2 hours and settled down to some food and one of the nicest pints of lager I've ever had...

Day3; The return trip home was a mere 379 miles, but in stark contrast to Thursday, the traffic conditions were absolutely dreadful, with tailbacks in Devon and Cornwall, two accidents on the M5 and then Birmingham gridlocked after the closure of the M6!

I must stress the trip was not about driving too fast, just a case of being incredibly lucky with the traffic conditions, and keeping stops to a safe minimum for food, fuel and rest.

I raised over £4000 for the 2 worthy causes, and would like to say a HUGE thank you to all of the customers, suppliers and individuals who donated.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Francis House Hospice for Children Charity No.294354

 

Motor Neurone Disease Association Charity No. 328659