APC News archive 2009

APC Sends a Smile For Blue Peter

APC Overnight has teamed up with BBC’s Blue Peter Appeal to help deliver an anticipated 20,000 hospital gowns made from T-shirts donated by UK children to the charity Operation Smile.

The Appeal needed partners who had a nationwide presence to act as collection points, and so we were delighted that our network of depots offered the ideal solution. Along with PC World and Currys, APC Overnight depots will offer Blue Peter viewers a local point to hand over their gowns, which we will transport to the charity’s HQ in London.

Operation Smile is an amazing charity, set up to offer free facial reconstruction surgery – for example the repair of cleft lips and palates – to children around the world. These operations can literally transform a child’s life – many children having become isolated for fear of ridicule, which leads to them missing out on friends and education. Over the past 27 years, the charity has carried out more than 135,000 such operations in 42 countries, and they estimate that a cleft lip can be repaired for around £150 in just 45 minutes of surgery.

APC Overnight Chairman Quentin Abel spoke for us all when he said: “We are thrilled to be involved with the Blue Peter Send a Smile Appeal, and to be able to give practical help to such an extremely worthwhile cause.”

To find out more about Operation Smile click here.

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APC MailPacks Offer Reliable Alternative To Special Delivery

Continuing uncertainty about post strikes means that companies are looking for reliable alternatives to ensure their important deliveries don't get stuck in a strike or a backlog. If you regularly use the Royal Mail Special Delivery service, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can use our overnight delivery services for a similar cost – plus we collect so you don't have to queue up at the post office! We can provide special MailPacks and CourierPacks for documents and lighter goods, and your consignments are tracked so you can check when they were delivered and who signed for them.

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APC Overnight Depot Gains ISO 14001 Green Accolade

APC Overnight’s network is being praised for its moves to protect the environment with Crawley-based APC Eezehaul the first depot to be awarded ISO 14001 environmental management accreditation. This is an important milestone in the development of the depot and was achieved following months of stringent assessment of the company’s environmental impact. With ISO 14001, APC Eezehaul has unequivocal proof that company is tightly managing and reducing its carbon footprint.

“We had to assess every area of the business – this went well beyond an examination of procedures and delved right into the practical aspects of how much recycling we did and how much more we can do, fuel usage, energy consumption, and waste reduction. It took -and will continue to take – a lot of commitment, but we are dedicated to achieving our goals as an environmentally aware organisation,” says Daniella Tooke, Senior Operations Administrator.

Eezehaul says that customers are looking for partners who not only can prove that they comply with environmental legislation but can also demonstrate that they have proactive sustainable business practices.

“Our ISO 14001 certificate helps us to present our environmental commitment to existing and new clients. It really helps to drive home the message that we are dedicated to reducing wastage and by partnering with us they can maintain their own environmental credentials. In addition, by taking control of waste we are proactively minimising operational costs all over the business,” adds Daniella Tooke.

The path to ISO 14001 comprises many steps that result in major effects as Daniella Tooke highlights.

“Some of the steps we have taken may seem obvious, but all have made a big difference. Recycling paper, for example. We looked at what we actually did and what we could, and then we put a recycling scheme into practice. Within a week we could physically see what we had achieved. This has encouraged everyone to think about unnecessary printing and associated waste,” she reports.

Jon Barber, Marketing Director, APC Overnight comments: “APC Eezehaul has set out a template for the entire APC Overnight network. We encourage each of our local depot partners to investigate how they may reduce their environmental impact also. As APC Eezehaul has demonstrated, small steps can lead to major reductions in the carbon footprint at a depot level and can help with reducing the nationwide impact of the network.”

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Stormguard Rains Praise On APC Overnight Next Day Delivery Services

Stormguard, the market leader in rain and draught proofing, says that the last 15 years of successful business in its 150-year history is due to efficient next day delivery services from APC Overnight. Each year Stormguard sends tens of thousands of items through the nationwide-wide parcel network to Councils, independent DIY stores and big multiple DIY stores, including B&Q, Wickes and Homebase, throughout the UK.

“From the outset APC Overnight has provided a flexible and reliable next day service to all our clients. The local APC Nationwide Express depot has grown a good understanding of our needs and ensures that we deliver on time to our customers. It is this ‘whatever it takes’ approach to guaranteed next day delivery that helps us a company to protect our reputation for exceptional products and service. In short we tell our customers that they will get their orders tomorrow and APC Overnight makes sure it happens,” says Gari Phillips, Stormguard’s Company Buyer.

As one of APC Overnight’s oldest customers, Stormguard uses the latest technology for online consignment booking and tracking. The web-based NetDespatch system supplied by APC Overnight enables Stormguard to automatically book collections and track deliveries throughout the parcel network. The system not eliminates the need to manually enter or import consignments as details are pulled direct from the sales order system, it also helps Stormguard’s customer service team to keep clients informed of their deliveries.

“The NetDespatch technology is very useful. It streamlines collections and allows us to quickly answer customer enquiries and update them about their deliveries. We have complete visibility of our parcel movements from the point of collection through to their final destination with proof of delivery,” says Gari Phillips.

Stormguard is a family run company with over 150 years experience in the rain and draught excluder industry. Its principle product, the Stormguard Sill, sometimes known as the Macclesfield step, has been produced since the late 19th century. Stormguard’s product range comprises a fully comprehensive range of extruded and fabricated metal rainwater systems for every type of domestic, commercial or industrial building. Stormguard is also the market leader in domestic sliding door gear systems producing a selection of simple, yet effective products, as offered by Slik Sliding Door Gear.

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The Colchester Wine Company Expands Nationally With APC Overnight

Real-time online booking and tracking for nationwide next day delivery is enabling The Colchester Wine Company to expedite shipments throughout the UK – and even to offshore islands. The innovative system automatically links orders through to the APC Overnight next day Wine Delivery Service, which is helping the independent wine merchant increase its business and gain wider brand recognition through accurate and rapid order fulfilment.

The web-based system was supplied by local APC Overnight depot, APC Tendring Express. It allows the despatch team to simply enter consignment details and automatically generate shipping labels and book collection by the local depot. This saves a lot of administration time and eliminates duplicating customer data, which is crucial when dealing with up to 500 consignments a day during peak times. Once in the APC Overnight network, The Colchester Wine Company can use the system to pinpoint shipments as they make their way through the supply chain.

“With this technology we never exceed 48 hours from taking orders to shipping the consignment. Our aim, however, is to turnaround orders within a day whenever possible. It also gives us an instant view of shipments as they progress from our warehouse to the customer. This ability to track parcels is very useful when we need to respond to customer queries. In addition, the system provides us with automatic proof of deliveries via email,” says Mark Cronshaw, The Colchester Wine Company’s General Manager Sales.

The company is now considering how APC Overnight and additional online solutions will help to expand its online store.

“We have an expanding mail order business with loyal clientele. We would like to extend this part of the business via our online store and we are looking at ways to improve the customer experience of the website, beginning with a redesign. Integrating the website with the online booking and tracking system will be an important part of this,” adds Mark Cronshaw.

The Colchester Wine Company is a family owned wine merchant with over 150 years of wine industry experience. The company has dedicated, friendly and knowledgeable staff to provide expert advice on an extensive, but carefully selected portfolio of award winning wines from around the world.

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Warwickshire CCC Is Bowled Over By APC Overnight Performance

Warwickshire County Cricket Club was stumped when it needed a next day delivery for collection at 6pm. When other couriers refused to play, APC Overnight willingly provided the extra cover and delivered the goods. As a result APC won the Warwickshire account and has maintained a record innings for its overnight services ever since.

The cricket club uses the APC Overnight’s local depot APC Trax Express service for next day delivery of important documentation sent from the famous Edgbaston ground to team members and visiting players.

“I had to find a courier fast at 6pm one evening for an urgent next day delivery. I had no luck with other local companies before speaking to APC Trax Express who immediately sprung into action. We have stayed with the APC Overnight network ever since,” says Julie Moseley, PA to the Chief Executive and Chairman, Warwickshire County Cricket Club.

Warwickshire is an extremely busy cricket club all year round, with activity increasing further during the cricket season. Looking after the Bears, ground staff, members and visiting spectators are the main priorities. Julie Moseley highlights that by using APC Overnight there is one less thing to cause concern as the network provides consistent service.

“The local depot provides a friendly, reliable and flexible service. I only need to make a call and they are always ready to step up to the wicket with whatever we require of them,” concludes Julie Moseley.

“APC Trax Express is pleased to be supporting local businesses like Warwickshire County Cricket Club. We are committed to providing consistent high quality services for all our customers. Key to this is our personal approach. Our customers know that when they call us they can speak to a friendly, helpful member of our team who will understand their requirements and offer a flexible solution. This is why we build such strong and effective working relationships with all our clients,” says Nick Pearson, Senior Accounts Manager, APC Trax Express.

Warwickshire County Cricket Club traces its roots back to the early 1800s and its Edgbaston ground is known as the heart of cricket outside of London. For some players it is their favourite ground to play. This year Edgbaston embarks on an extensive building redevelopment plan. The new ground, and the enabling development, will generate new jobs and help to secure international cricket at Edgbaston for the next generation.

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APC Overnight’s 100% On Time Delivery Record Adds Bite To PWS Direct Ltd’s Sales and Supply Chain

Bolton-based full service dental laboratory PWS Direct Ltd has set up an instantaneous national collection and delivery network in partnership with APC Overnight. Since using the service, the consistent 100% on-time delivery record is helping the dental laboratory to boost further sales and add new customers to its extensive UK and Ireland client base.

Gareth Sharples, Operations Manager for PWS Direct Ltd, says that APC Overnight is a “breath of fresh air” for the busy laboratory. The flexibility and general helpfulness of the local depots within the network has enabled them to concentrate on maintaining the company’s high quality standard and promote their services rather than constantly rushing to meet collection deadlines.

“APC Overnight provides us with a flexible and friendly service. With our previous couriers, we were always under pressure to meet their deadlines. In many cases, these were unfeasible and we had to work around them. We never fall foul of late deliveries, but the lack of flexibility meant we had to make deliveries ourselves whenever items missed the courier collection deadline. We now can focus on our business rather than on our suppliers thanks to APC Overnight’s customer focused approach,” he says.

PWS Direct’s local depot APC Nexday Overnite impressed Gareth Sharples so much so that he was then encouraged to set up accounts with additional APC depots throughout the UK, giving the laboratory an extended and cost effective supply chain for collection of dental impressions from dentists and hospitals as well as for supplying the required dental appliances.

Technology plays an important part in streamlining the collection processes. The local depot installed the web-based NetDespatch online booking and tracking system at the laboratory, which has significantly reduced administration.

“The secure system contains all of our customer details. All we have to do is input their ID numbers and the weights and numbers of boxes. The system then produces the shipping labels, which we simply attach to the consignments ready for collection. It also allows us to track our parcels – but we have never needed to use it because APC Overnight has provided a 100% accurate next day delivery service,” say Gareth Sharples.

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Gas & Environmental Tracks Online Deliveries with APC Overnight

Next day delivery supported by innovative online booking and tracking from APC Overnight is giving a leading edge to analysis and test equipment specialist Gas & Environmental. The company ships up to 300 items each day to a wide range of customers including National Grid, Connaught Gas Compliance and Wolseley Group through the UK-wide APC Overnight network via the local depot APC Hand Delivery in St. Albans.

“We have many thousands of customers throughout the UK who need their equipment calibrating annually to conform to Gas Safe Register standards. APC Overnight provides a high quality, reliable service that ensures that all the equipment we handle gets to our customers safely. This is backed up by the electronic audit trail provided by the online system,” says Kevin Mileson, Gas & Environmental’s MD.

“The NetDespatch system installed by APC Hand Delivery is extremely efficient and is an essential part of the courier service. We are able to book collections online, print despatch labels and track shipments throughout the APC Overnight network,” he says.

Keeping customers informed about the status of their equipment is also an added benefit reports Mileson. “The system automatically notifies our customers by email that their equipment has been despatched. They are then able to track the parcel right up to the point of delivery. Our customers appreciate this proactive approach and they are happy to use the service for sending equipment to us,” he says.

For large shipments, Gas & Environmental utilises APC Overnight’s secure service for enhanced security.

“The standard service has proven to be extremely secure and provides full traceability with proof of delivery viewable online as well as in hard copy. We know precisely who signed for the items and when. Some consignments may contain a large number of items and the secure service gives added peace of mind for us and our customers,” says Mileson.

As well as providing expert calibration services, Gas & Environmental repairs and services most types of gas detectors, flue gas analysers, pressure meters, temperature meters and electrical test instruments.

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APC Depot of the Year Awards

Congratulations to the winners of the APC Overnight Regional Depot of the Year Awards, and especially to APC Thistle Couriers of Dyce who were voted overall APC Depot of the Year. The awards are voted for by all the depots in our network, so are a true reflection of outstanding service and reliability. Colin Clark, APC Overnight's National Depot Development Manager said: “Because all the depots work so closely together they get to know each other’s operations very well. Each depot nominates those within the network who they feel go ‘above and beyond’ to provide an excellent service to their customers. APC Thistle Couriers is undoubtedly such an organisation, and I am extremely pleased for them. Their team worked incredibly hard throughout the past year and these awards are deserved recognition of the exceptional service they provide.”

Here's a full list of the winners:

• Annual Development Award: APC Tendring Express
• Offshore Depot of the Year: APC Cyclone International
• Scottish Regional Depot of the Year: APC Thistle Couriers
• Northern Regional Depot of the Year: APC Courier Logistics
• Midland Regional Depot of the Year: APC Heart of England Distribution
• East Anglian Regional Depot of the Year: APC Hand Delivery
• South East Regional Depot of the Year: APC Point to Point
• South West Regional Depot of the Year: APC Celtic Couriers

• APC Overnight Depot of the Year: APC Thistle Couriers

The Thistle Couriers team with APC Overnight MD Ivor Skinner and Clive Gott, guest speaker at the Annual Depot Meeting

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Peters Transfers 3.5 Million Book Deliveries to APC Overnight

APC Overnight has announced that it has delivered 3.5 million books in 2008 for the UK’s leading children’s book specialist Peters Bookselling Services (Peters). Using the UK’s largest independent nationwide parcel network has enabled the Birmingham-based library and school book supplier to radically change its delivery methods, while improving its customer service levels. Supported by the local depot APC Trax Express, Peters can now offer its customers flexible deliveries on a daily or weekly basis and to multiple sites or a central hub.

“Working with APC Overnight has transformed the way we do business. Moving all of our deliveries to the network means that we can offer customers a next day quality service that has given us a distinct competitive edge. The proof is that last year we shipped 3.5 million books; that’s about 150,000 cartons for the year,” says Ray Dyer, Peters’ Operations Director.

“We would not go back to using our own delivery fleet as flexibility has become critical for our customers. With the help of the local depot and the entire network we can provide any type of delivery our customers require and to any location. This underpins our goal to be the best supplier of children’s books and also offer the best service delivery,” he says.

Peters uses online booking and tracking integrated with Peters’ own automatic manifest system. This also caters for third-party collections and feeds proof-of-delivery information through to Peters’ customer extranet website – PetraNet.

“The combination of these technologies not only streamlines our own administration it also allows our customers to track their purchases through our Petranet website. We can also use it for our own order tracking purposes,” says Ray Dyer.

Peters Bookselling Services has been involved in library supply and general bookselling since 1935 when John Sheldon Peters opened the company’s first shop in Moor Street Birmingham. The company is still firmly in the control of the Peters family, being totally owned by Malcolm Peters and his two sons, and is now the only specialist children’s library supplier in the country.

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Roadnet Helps Drivers Stay Safe with APC Overnight

Roadnet Automotive, distributor of the revolutionary Laser Speed Trap Detector and Jammer that doubles as a parking sensor, is providing rapid fulfilment of mail order and online customer orders by using next day delivery services from APC Overnight. The flexibility of the service and support from the local depot – APC Eezehaul – ensures the prompt delivery of some 20,000 packages per year to the company’s customer base that spans across the UK.

Roadnet leads the way in supplying innovative laser detection and GPS systems used by professional and private drivers throughout Britain to keep them alert of road dangers and ensure that they conform to legal speed limits. Roadnet is passionate about providing first class products and service and its customers are enthusiastic about their purchases and expect prompt delivery. This is the key reason why Roadnet moved its business to APC Overnight from Royal Mail Special Delivery.

“We needed a courier that could work with us to ensure that we fulfil our daily orders and APC Overnight stepped up to the mark. The local depot provides a late collection allowing us to process and despatch as many orders as possible. Orders received up to 4.30 pm will be with our customers the next day,” says Simon Waters, Roadnet’s Managing Director.

APC Eezehaul makes scheduled daily collections from Roadnet’s site using satellite-tracked couriers. In addition, Roadnet is able to track parcels to the point of delivery to any address anywhere in the British Isles using the APC Overnight supplied NetDespatch online tracking system. Simon Waters also highlights that the organisation’s approach to customer service is exceptional and provides the support that a fast moving business requires.

“The local depot understands our requirements and we are treated with the utmost respect. They manage our account carefully and ensure we are happy with the service. The level of communication from Eezehaul is excellent and the customer service team understands our need for flexibility,” concludes Simon Waters.

Roadnet supplies a wide range of detection, GPS and laser systems from leading brands such as Laser Star. By keeping abreast of the latest technology the company provides products that not only help drivers to keep their licences unblemished but also mean safer, happier driving.

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APC Overnight Spreads the News with Low-cost Magazine Delivery Service

A new cost-effective magazine delivery service from APC Overnight offers a new option for printers, publishers and mail-order firms to distribute their publications. The service is suitable for all types of less time-sensitive printed materials such as catalogues, magazines, directories and reports that do not require a customer signature and are deliverable within one to three days.

Steve Calvert, Director, APC Express Logistics in Nottingham reports that one of his depot’s customers has put the new service to the test. The client already utilises other APC Overnight services and agreed to trial the magazine service against its current catalogue delivery provider, Royal Mail.

“Both Royal Mail and APC Express Logistics were given 850 consignments each, with the client’s expectation for all deliveries to be made in around three days. Ninety per cent of APC Overnight consignments were delivered next day. Royal Mail took an average of three days to deliver, with up to seven days for some consignments. The customer was delighted with APC Overnight, not only with the time scale and but also that all the consignments via our service were delivered. We have now been invited to quote for the customer’s main annual run of 10,000 catalogues,” said Steve Calvert.

With over 125 APC Overnight depots strategically located throughout the UK, the magazine service provides a nationwide money-saving alternative to more costly hardcopy publication distribution services available via Royal Mail and Business Post.

Magazine service customers can use plain or own-branded packaging and package weight can be up to 2kg, with a minimum run of 50 items. This allows customers to simply switch over from their usual supplier without changing their publishing and packaging operation.

“The magazine service will reduce distribution costs for printers, publishers and mail-order marketers. We have trimmed down the costs to provide precisely what customers are looking for in a magazine service. We believe that this is an exceptional offering that will benefit many UK organisations that are looking to control their publication distribution costs without cutting corners in service quality. The service can be booked via the customer’s local APC Overnight depot to arrange collection from their own premises or directly from the printer,” said Jon Barber, Marketing Director, APC Overnight.

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Police Kit Supplier Niton Secures Deliveries with APC Overnight

Niton Equipment Limited, the UK’s largest specialist mail order organisation for the police and security services, has increased its service levels with next day delivery services from APC Overnight. Niton has boosted first-time delivery success of sensitive items that must be signed for by the named recipient and cannot be left with colleagues or neighbours. The company ships about 30,000 parcels each year through the UK’s largest delivery network via its local depot APC Eezehaul in Crawley, Sussex.

Niton provides an extensive range of high quality law enforcement and security equipment and workwear to UK Police Forces and security companies. “APC Overnight’s next day delivery services have given us an edge in customer service. The APC depot in Crawley provides us with crucial local support and has provided enhancements that ensure deliveries are made directly to the customer. This means we can maintain our enviable record of first-time deliveries and helps us to retain good customer relations,” says Tim Liggins, Niton’s Warehouse Manager.

To eliminate unnecessary paperwork and phone calls, Niton uses the APC Overnight’s web-based service. This not only automates the booking of shipments, it tracks the parcels throughout the network to the point of delivery to the customer. This labour and time saving system speeds order processing in the warehouse and also allows the customer services team to answer tracking queries from clients.

“Online management makes it easy for us to book collections and gives us traceability of the parcels. The depot also provides a high-visibility label that tells the courier that the parcel must be signed for by the customer only. In addition, the depot will telephone us if the customer is unavailable to collect a parcel. We then can contact them to arrange an alternative time of delivery,” he continues.

Niton supplies its own high specification product range, Niton Tactical, but also stocks products from major brands including, 5.11, Bates, Bianchi, Gerber, Maglite and Leatherman. The company believes in giving its customers excellent service and delivery. Niton’s staff have expert knowledge about the kit they produce and are fanatical about quality.

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Well Hung Meat Company Ensures Fresh Deliveries with APC Overnight

Renowned organic produce supplier Well Hung Meat has boosted customer service levels since changing its next day parcel delivery to the APC Overnight network. The award winning and highly recommended fresh produce business relies on the services of the local depot, APC Deadline Distribution in Exeter, to assist with sending its chilled boxes of meat and other organic produce throughout the UK.

“Since changing to the APC Overnight service we have experienced fewer non deliveries, receive fewer complaints from customers and we lose fewer boxes in transit. Not only has this improved our customer relations, it is also saving us about 2 per cent on our distribution costs per year, which is a significant reduction. The parcel network suits our next day delivery needs and we have an excellent relationship with the local depot,” says Simon Wood, Manager, Well Hung Meat.

Well Hung Meat utilises online booking and tracking system to streamline the processing of shipments, which also helps ensure parcels arrive in perfect condition and on time. The web-based system allows the company to enter precise customer requirements for each delivery as well as to specify timed deliveries.

“Online booking and tracking streamlines our operation as it allows us to easily change delivery requirements. For example, customers may want to pay for a timed delivery. Also, as we are dealing with perishable goods they can give instructions as to where the parcels can be left for safe collection. All of this information can be entered into the system for the couriers to follow as the parcels make their way from our base through the APC Overnight network. The system also comes into play on the rare occasion when we need to quickly locate a parcel,” adds Simon Wood.

Based in Buckfastleigh, Devon, Well Hung Meat specialise in home delivery of the finest award-winning, organic meat. Winner’s of five Soil Association Organic Food Awards and endorsed as one of Rick Stein’s Food Heroes, they source their meat from small, local organic farms in South Devon. Well Hung Meat is recommended by numerous food writers and chefs, including Raymond Blanc, Tamasin Day-Lewis, Rose Prince, Galton Blackiston.

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Fraudulent Emails Regarding Prizes

We have been made aware that members of the public in several countries are receiving mailings purporting to be from Google advising that the recipient has won a prize and that they need to send funds to APC Overnight to cover courier charges in order for the prize to be sent to them.

We would like to assure our customers that these mailings are in no way related to APC Overnight and as they would appear to be fraudulent, we would advise that recipients either disregard the mailing or report it to their local police.

We are also aware that some people are being given a website address to verify that the e-mail is genuine. This website is not APC's website – it is a cloned copy and it should be disregarded. The only correct website address for APC overnight is www.apc-overnight.com.

Another potential fraud that we have recently been made aware of relates to the sale of exotic birds via the internet. Customers are sent an e-mail once they have paid their money which carries APC Overnight graphics suggesting that APC Overnight are the shipping agent. Please note that APC Overnight does not under any circumstances transport birds and has no associations to any company selling birds, either in the UK or overseas. We would advise potential buyers to verify that any company they intend to deal with in this respect is genuine before they hand over any funds.

If you have any queries on any of the above, please contact APC Overnight on 01922 702560 or by e-mail via the contact form on the "contact us" section of the website.

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Axiom Meets Critical Deadlines with APC Overnight

Next day and timed delivery services provided by APC Overnight have increased customer service levels for Axiom Veterinary Laboratories (Axiom). The company provides animal health testing service for vets throughout the UK and Ireland and uses Exeter-based APC Deadline Distribution to assist it in providing rapid turnaround of test results.

“Our work is time critical because we are providing diagnostic services to veterinary practices that are dealing with sick animals. The APC Overnight network enables us to receive samples in optimum condition and on time. A delay in transporting the samples to us is unacceptable as this can cause problems with analysis and timings,” says Simon Wootton, Business Development Manager, Axiom. “Vets are waiting for our results to help them with effective treatments. Therefore, the quality of service provided by the network is paramount to our success.”

Simon Wootton says that one of the main benefits of APC is the support of the entire network in providing optimum levels of service.

“Since using the service we have had no problems. Each member of the network has a clear understanding of what is required of them. Because they are independent businesses, each one works to the benefit of their own company and for the greater good of the entire APC Overnight network. They all pull together to provide high quality, consistent service,” he says.

Commenting on the support of the local depot, he adds: “APC Deadline Distribution performs track and trace for us and keep us aware of the location of the shipments. This is very useful because if there is a delay with a customer shipping samples to us we can adjust our work schedules accordingly.”

Axiom Veterinary Laboratories Ltd offers high quality diagnostic results as standard; these are in accordance with their stringent internal quality control policy, numerous external quality assessment schemes and our certification to ISO 9001. Based in Newton Abbot, Devon, the company provides a wide range of clinical pathology services, including biochemistry, cytology, endocrinology, histopathology, haematology, serology, microbiology, radio-immuno assay and polymerase chain reaction testing.

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APC’s 800-a-night Parcel Contract Ensures Towsure’s Customers Carry On Camping

Leading UK camping and leisure equipment company Towsure has awarded APC Overnight a major contract for next day delivery of its wide range of products. Towsure ships over 800 parcels a day from its distribution centre in Sheffield. Towsure works closely with the nationwide parcel network’s local depot APC Courier Logistics which has resources on site to streamline rapid despatch of customer orders. Integration of Towsure’s business systems with APC Overnight’s IT maximises efficiency at the company’s Sheffield warehouse as well as enabling its customers to track parcels on line.

The integration between Towsure’s Sage Line 100 and the APC Overnight’s system has also boosted productivity and efficiency by incorporating weights for each product. These details exist within the ERP system and allow for automatic inclusion of weights on each label without physically weighing the parcels. This means that parcels can flow through the network from point to point without having to check weights.

With a wide portfolio of products ranging from tents to towbars, APC Overnight works with Towsure to supply both trade and retail customers who purchase from its mail order catalogue or online store. To facilitate this, APC Overnight has a member of staff based in the Towsure warehouse who is responsible for handling the picked orders, scanning them into the system and loading them into the cages and then onto the trailer for despatch at the end of the working day. These are trunked to the APC Overnight hub in Wolverhampton, where they are then sent on to their final destinations for prompt next day delivery.

“The change over from our previous logistics supplier went extremely smoothly and our customers are very satisfied with the level of delivery service they receive from APC Overnight. The company has been very supportive all round, from the bespoke IT integration through to quality of service and the friendly approach of APC Overnight staff,” says David Glossop, Towsure’s General Manager.

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Tanners Keeps Wine Orders Flowing with APC Overnight

Tanners, the award winning Shropshire-based fine wine merchant, is using innovative online booking and tracking to speed its online sales and mail order shipments to customers through the APC Overnight network. Shipping thousands of bottles each week, Tanners and the local depot APC Station Couriers work closely together to ensure that wine deliveries reach customers on time, every time, throughout the UK.

Tanners sells wine to both private and trade customers, and both online sales and mail order are important parts of its business. Efficient and reliable next day delivery service is, therefore, paramount in maintaining contented customers. To streamline its order processing and fulfilment, APC Station Couriers integrated the NetDespatch online booking and tracking solution with Tanners’ Maginus business system. This enables automatic shipping label generation complete with customer and order details.

“The online booking and tracking is fantastic. It is also important for us to work in partnership with the local APC Station Couriers depot. We find the company to be very flexible with collection times and our customers receive first class service. The next day delivery is extremely efficient and we have received excellent feedback from our customers,” says Steve Lloyd, head of Tanners’ distribution at its purpose built bonded warehouse in Welshpool, Powys.

Tanners employs about 50 people at its HQ in Shrewsbury, 40 in Welshpool and a further 10 elsewhere. The company is family-owned, family-run and staunchly independent. Approximately 60 per cent of the firm's sales are to quality-minded hotels and restaurants, public houses and clubs across the UK.

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