News

Nicholson's strengthens grip on transport of hazardous goods

Posted: November 2011

Nicholson's Transport is seeking to establish itself as the region's leading haulier of hazardous goods following the appointment of an expert from the chemical industry.

Melanie Taylor has joined Nicholson's Transport as business development manager after working within the chemicals sector for almost 30 years.

Nicholson's Transport is the North East's only licenced member of the Hazchem Network – a partnership of haulage firms which transport hazardous goods and chemicals across the UK and Ireland.

Mrs Taylor said: "There have been a swathe of new regulations introduced over the last couple of years which have classified more goods as hazardous and dangerous – these include industrial batteries, glues and nail guns containing natural gas. Much of it is in response to the perceived increased security threat.

"As a founder member of the Hazchem Network, our customers can be confident that our drivers are trained to the highest standards, that we are capable of handling hazardous goods across all classes and provide a safe and efficient proof and delivery system."

Mrs Taylor has joined Nicholson's Transport after working for some of the chemical industry's biggest names including ICI, Croda International and Uniqema.

Nicholson's provides a nightly service transporting hazardous goods for customers across the region.

Managing Director David Nicholson added: "Melanie has vast experience working in the chemical industry and has been brought in to help increase our capacities within this specialised sector.

"It is important that our customers and potential customers are aware of the recent legislation and can understand what it means for them and be confident we are transporting their goods safely and legally."

Nicholson's Transport strengthen the team

Posted: September 2011

We have expanded our accounts team as we aim to emerge stronger from the recession.

Jim Sobotowski has been appointed as company accountant and he will operate across all of the Nicholson Group of companies.

Mr Sobotowski's appointment follows a tough year of trading for the Nicholson Group in which we took the decision to close the Doncaster depot.

But we expect the business to emerge stronger from the recession and predict freight quantities at Billingham to increase by 20% over this year.

Chairman David Nicholson said: "We are on target to meet our forecasts which is encouraging because it has been a challenging year. We made the decision to close the Doncaster depot because it was not profitable and was eating into the success of our other operations particularly the transport business in Billingham.

"The lesson we have learned is that the Nicholson Group is about growing North-East businesses, that's what we know and that's what we will continue to do."

He added: "Jim has been brought in to restructure the financial side of the business and the fact our turnover is increasing proves it has been the right decision.

"He has extensive experience working within the transport and logistics sector and shares the Group's culture of providing excellent customer service and continuous improvement."

Nicholson's Transport is looking to increase current staffing levels from 30 and is actively looking to fill a position for a management apprentice. Throughout the recession, the business has concentrated on growing its customer base by adding value to what we offer.

Mr Nicholson added: "The transport sector is consistently the first to be hit during a recession and the last to recover. That's because when customers want to make a saving, transport distribution is where they will do it because it immediately shows on the bottom line.

"But we have always believed in adding value where we can and have managed to grow the client base by changing the way we do things by establishing what the client needs are. Without a doubt, our USP is customer service - we never lose a customer because of service. We dare to say on time in full or it's free."

Positive outlook for transport firm Nicholson Group

Posted: September 2011

TRANSPORT, training and storage business the Nicholson Group is predicting that freight passing through its Teesside depot will grow by 20% as it starts to emerge from the downturn.

The Billingham group, which last year split into separate divisions of Nicholson's Transport (Billingham), lorry-mounted crane operator Nicholson Hiab, training provider Learning In Logistics, and storage firm Box Clever, says trading has been tough for the past couple of years.

It shut its transport depot in Doncaster in June, which employed 11 people – half of which have been re-deployed – and is now concentrating on the region.

Group chairman David Nicholson said: "The focus is on growing a North East company in the North East. We've got a great team in the business. We've kept things very lean through the recession. We are on target to meet our forecasts which is encouraging because it has been a challenging year.

"The lesson we have learned is that the Nicholson Group is about growing North East businesses, that's what we know and that's what we will continue to do. We've had a couple of tough years and I wouldn't say we were out of it yet. But our clients are getting busier and they're being positive rather than negative."

The transport division, which employs 30 people at its Billingham depot and is recruiting a management apprentice, is now aiming to increase its freight volumes by 20% next year.

Nicholson says the business aims to do this through a mixture of new clients and the firm's strong customer retention rates. He has also appointed Jim Sobotowski as the group-wide company accountant.

"Jim has been brought in to restructure the financial side of the business and the fact our turnover is increasing proves it has been the right decision," said Nicholson.

"He has extensive experience working within the transport and logistics sector and shares the group's culture of providing excellent customer service and continuous improvement.

"The transport sector is consistently the first to be hit during a recession and the last to recover. That's because when customers want to make a saving, transport distribution is where they will do it because it immediately shows on the bottom line.

"But we have always believed in adding value where we can and have managed to grow the client base by changing the way we do things by establishing what the client needs are.

"Without a doubt, our USP is customer service – we never lose a customer because of service. We dare to say on time in full or it's free."

Nicholson's Transport gears up for the future

Posted: September 2011

A TEESSIDE transport firm has expanded its team as it predicts a 20% rise in business.

Billingham-based Nicholson's Transport has appointed Jim Sobotowski as company accountant.

With extensive experience in the transport and logistics sector, he will restructure the financial side of the business and operate across the Nicholson group of companies.

His appointment follows a tough year for the group, which has had to close its transport depot in Doncaster.

But the business is expecting to emerge from the economic downturn in better shape and is predicting freight quantities at Billingham to rise by 20% this year.

Group chairman David Nicholson said: "We are on target to meet our forecasts which is encouraging because it has been a challenging year.

"We made the decision to close the Doncaster depot because it was not profitable and was eating into the success of our other operations, particularly the transport business in Billingham.

"The lesson we have learned is that the Nicholson Group is about growing North-east businesses, that's what we know and that's what we will continue to do."

The group is made up of several ventures including Nicholson's Transport in Billingham, lorry-mounted crane operator Nicholson Hiab, training provider Learning In Logistics and storage firm Box Clever.

Logistics firms have struggled to recover from the recession in the face of sluggish demand for transported goods.

But a recent revival has brought in new work for Nicholson's Transport, which is looking to swell its 30-strong team with the appointment of a management apprentice.

Mr Nicholson added: "The transport sector is consistently the first to be hit during a recession and the last to recover.

"That's because when customers want to make a saving, transport distribution is where they will do it because it immediately shows on the bottom line.

"But we have always believed in adding value where we can and have managed to grow the client base by changing the way we do things."

Mr Nicholson has masterminded the group's expansion since launching Nicholson's Transport in 1989 with the help of a £5,000-plus grant from Yorkshire Bank.

After winning a string of lucrative contracts, he moved to bigger premises in Billingham in 2000.

Nicholsons Strengthen the team at Teesside

Posted: July 2011

Dave Nicholson explains, "We are delighted the Kris Marsay is back with us at Teesside after his spell in South Yorkshire. Kris will be visiting customers... old and new... over the coming months to ensure we can continue to work with our clients to provide exceptional service levels and ultimately add value to their business as their trusted logistics partner".

Shell Step Success

Posted: October 2009

As reported in our July Newsletter, Konstantins Golovnovs has been working closely with Nicholsons Transport as part of the Shell Step Programme, with the aim of helping to implement our strategic business plans. Konstantins has taught all of the Nicholsons team about the Kaizen philosophy which emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement in the workplace and has introduced many new practices to ensure those continuous improvements can be achieved within Nicholsons Transport.

Unfortunately Konstantins two month placement with us has come to an end but the Kaizen legacy he has left behind will live on. From all of the team at Nicholsons we wish Konstantins every success for the future.

Fuel Surcharge

Posted: September 2009

We are pleased to announce that our Fuel Surcharge will remain unchanged for the coming month of September 2009.

However, as we advised back in the May edition of our newsletter, Fuel Duty rises by 2 pence per litre from 1st September this year. This increase following an earlier 2 pence per litre increase back in April. Unfortunately we cannot absorb this cost and are therefore advising all customers that, with effect from 1st October 2009, our Fuel Surcharge will rise by 0.5%. If, in the interim there be a last minute change of heart by the Chancellor as to the wisdom of the increase in Fuel Duty, or should bulk-fuel prices see a compensatory fall in price, we will of course keep you informed and amend our Fuel Surcharge accordingly.

Fuel Surcharge

Posted: August 2009

As notified in our July newsletter, after five consecutive months of no change, our Fuel Surcharge will increase by 0.5% for the month of August. Despite the slight fall in fuel prices on the supermarket forecourts in the last week or so, where the supermarkets use fuel prices as a loss-leader in an attempt to get us into the stores and spending, the bulk-price of fuel and unfortunately our fuel costs have risen to the point that we are no longer able to absorb the whole of the cost without passing some of it on.

As always we will keep you fully informed and forewarned of any future changes necessary to our Fuel Surcharge.

Exceptional Service Scheme

Posted: July 2009

At Nicholsons Transport we always strive to provide exceptional service. We believe that when our employees see individuals at other workplaces providing exceptional service their behaviour should be recognised.

We have recently produced an exceptional service feedback form which our drivers are encouraged to fill out whenever they experience exceptional service. A letter is then sent from Nicholsons Transport to the individuals manager making them aware of their employees outstanding performance.

So far we have had many reports of exceptional service which is very refreshing to see.

The feedback we receive from the nominated companies has been very positive and in some cases we have received a letter back thanking us for bringing this to their attention and outlining the action the company is taking to reward the nominated employee.

Fuel Surcharge

Posted: July 2009

Nicholsons Transport Ltd are pleased to announce that once again, and for the fifth consecutive month, our Fuel Surcharge will remain unchanged for the month of July.

We are sure you have all noticed that prices on the forecourts have continued their upward climb. As with the price on the forecourt, so to with the bulk-price of fuel and unfortunately our fuel costs have risen to the point that we are no longer able to absorb the whole of the cost without passing some of it on. To that end we would like to inform you that our Fuel Surcharge will increase by 0.5% from 1st August. It isn't a huge amount, every £100.00 you spend with us will now cost you £100.50p! But we are letting you know now, over a month in advance of the increase, in order that you can make any costing adjustments necessary in your own financial models.

Obviously it goes without saying that, in the extremely unlikely event of fuel prices falling significantly between now and 1st August, we will not implement the increase.