Thinking inside the box
BOXING clever with complex consignments, from fine art and medical equipment to students’ belongings, has driven record growth for logistics specialist Pack & Send (P&S), which opens a new centre in May.
Known for its agile “anything anywhere” shipping pledge for businesses and individuals wanting to send fragile, large, awkward or high value goods, the latest service shop is set for Camberley in Surrey.
This will take the franchise operator’s tally to 20 around the UK as it expands its online, logistics hubs and high street networks.
With turnover up 33 per cent for this quarter, 2023’s fore- cast is £10million-plus.
The pandemic accelerated demand as Britain got moving in unexpected and urgent ways
Mike Ryan, head franchisor for P&S in the UK, explains: “Orders grew with the difficulties resulting from post-Brexit paperwork followed by lockdown.
“We were called on to get IT kit and mobile phones to employees working from home, then upgrades, and also sadly collecting it from staff who had been made redundant.
“Students were leaving very quickly to beat restrictions and we worked with them to identify what in their abandoned rooms needed shipping. It was a massive task but it has allowed us to develop the brand in this marketplace.”
Ryan opened the first centre in Reading 13 years ago, buying the master licence for the UK from P&S’s Australia-based parent with funding that has now been paid off.
“I could see the opportunity created by the internet for a more flexible service not being covered by large logistics companies, a new way for millions to buy products in a global market,” he says.
“Now we have the broadest packing and shipping services under one roof in the UK. Our sites are known for their accessibility and decisions are made locally.” More than 90 per cent of shipments are international. Auction houses provide a strong trade – P&S did the despatching after Formula 1 racing team Caterham went into administration. Probate bequests are another regular, along with Toyota MR2 hard top cars sent to a US client.
Quirkier demands include Mars Ice Cream bars sent to expats in Sydney, and it was in the wings at the Brit Awards this year waiting for a performer to hand over the last of his belongings before he moved to LA. “Our franchisees offer both off the shelf and bespoke packaging,” Ryan points out. “Pack is our key word.”
P&S’s franchisees now number 19 with 100 employed across the network. Entrepreneurs will need around £50,000 to invest and receive two months’ training. Some 30 per cent of the network achieved revenues of £300,000-plus last year.
Now, as P&S’s UK footprint expands, Ryan urges: “Manchester and Birmingham entrepreneurs, get in touch.”
‘Anything anywhere, shipping pledge’