Llanelli-based Fast Forward is building on its established palletised freight distribution business, with plans to expand into full-load services and increase its storage capacity to meet growing customer demand.
The company, which is owned by Palletline, is looking to extend its service offering while retaining its flexible and personal approach - a hallmark of the business.
Since joining as general manager in January of this year, Jason Gaule has focused on improving the operation and laying strong foundations for future growth.
Warehouse layouts and systems have been overhauled, loading processes streamlined and staffing levels designed to meet operational requirements.
The business is also now fully staffed, reducing its reliance on agency workers.
These changes have boosted efficiency and provided Gaule and his team with a springboard from which to develop new opportunities, both within their established palletised freight offering and beyond.
Gaule said: “A number of changes have been made since I first joined, particularly in the warehouse by improving the layout and the way we load vehicles. It is about making the operation work better and smarter and getting the most out of the resources we have.
“Now we are looking at where we can take the business next. We have brought some previous customers back on board, we are winning new work and have a strong business pipeline.”
Gaule attributes these wins to a service that is responsive to customers’ needs, backed by a team small enough to offer direct contact and flexibility when requirements change.
“We are a close-knit team, and customers know they can speak to us directly. If there is something they need help with, we will look at how we can make it work.
“That personal service and flexibility are a big part of what we offer, and we want to keep building on that.”
Looking ahead, one of Gaule’s priorities is to develop Fast Forward’s full-load distribution capability.
While the business handles some dedicated vehicle work, Gaule said he sees an opportunity to build this into a more established service, using the vehicles and operational expertise already available to support customers moving full loads across the UK.
The intention is to complement the core palletised freight operation and maximise the use of the company’s vehicle assets.
The company said that by developing both services, Fast Forward aims to offer customers greater choice, whether they need individual pallets distributed through the Palletline network or a dedicated vehicle for larger consignments.
Storage has also been earmarked as another potential area for growth and Gaule is currently exploring the options available.
“It’s about growing in the right way. We want to continue to build on our core palletised freight business as well as further develop full-load distribution and other service offerings such as storage.
“There is a lot of potential and we want to develop that for the benefit of both the business and crucially our customers,” he said.
Fast Forward boasts a broad customer base, handling a broad mix of goods from televisions and pet food to building materials, garden products and seasonal agricultural supplies.
This varied workload allows the business to support customers across different sectors, with the ability to adapt to changing volumes and requirements.
Gaule brings more than 30 years of experience in logistics to the role. After starting his career as a postman, he established his own courier business, growing it from a single van into an operation serving major high street retailers across the UK, Ireland and Europe.
He subsequently held a range of management and planning roles within the logistics sector before joining Fast Forward.
Fast Forward said it is now focused on building for the future while not losing sight of its core values.
Gaule added: “Our priority is to keep growing and developing our offering to customers.
“We have a strong foundation, a good team and customers who value the service we provide.
“By continuing to develop our palletised freight offering and expanding into full loads and storage, we can create more opportunities for the business and for our customers.”
