Startruck Logistics, again based in Poole, started operations in 1998 with just one haulage vehicle but today partners Steve Howie and Dave Buik have combined their operations to run a fleet of 20 plus haulage vehicles from Combo vans to 44 tonne artics, now with a turnover of £1.5m. It is a classic haulage operation with 4-5 people working out a small business park unit with every vehicle fully committed with loads and back loads. The UK logistics company do a lot of shopfitting work as well as supplying major retailers with  cosmetics, clothing, and other branded goods. Startruck Logistics concentrates on same day and next day work. Plans are in hand to move to a new 20,000 sq ft facility to deal with the expansion of the UK logistics business and 'give us room to breathe' says Steve.

Startruck  Logistics has been using Courier Exchange (our sister site – a freight exchange for  the courier industry) for some time. "We have a lot of early morning 'Sprinter' work," adds Steve "and we want to get them back. Courier  Exchange has got us out of trouble every time." Now using Haulage Exchange as well, Startruck  Logistics is able to keep its two new artics and 18 tonners fully utilised with loads and back loads.

"It is a very important support tool for the business, 'says Steve Howie.'I am pleased  people have to pay to be on it. We did some homework first with other freight exchanges. But it is the commitment from the members on Haulage  Exchange and the vetting of them as quality credible operators that I like about it. We cannot afford to risk poor service to our customers from our sub-contractors. So far no Haulage Exchange member has let us down".

Download the Startruck Logistics case study (PDF)