Sometimes in business, new ventures are born out of finding a solution to a problem – as demonstrated by the success and growth of Reliant Couriers over the past few years.
The Moulton Park courier and haulage firm began when Rakesh Pudaruth called upon the services of driver Steve Liddle to carry out deliveries for his IT company. The duo realised that there was a lack of efficiency in making journeys one way and returning with an empty van, and so, with third director Adam Hakes on board, they founded a new courier company with just three vans.
That was back in 2017 and since then the service has grown to a fleet of vehicles from small vans to 26-tonne lorries and artics, moving goods across the UK and Europe for customers who need anything from a set of keys delivering through to moving pre-fabricated homes.
Further growth is part of the Reliant Couriers plan for the future, as is working hard to embrace new technology to reduce the firm’s carbon footprint and create a business with a strong environmental policy.
Rakesh Pudaruth said:
“The growth of the company has been incredible since we first came up with the idea four years ago. Steve was delivering for my IT company and it struck us that if he was making a trip to a customer anyway, we might as well make good use of the van and combine my needs with courier services.
“My business skills and Steve and Adam’s experience in the haulage industry was the perfect fit and in a fairly short period of time we’ve become known for reliable, round-the-clock services.
“We now do urgent deliveries – we’ve taken something as small as a passport or a set of keys to someone who needed them immediately – and we’ve also got specialist Moffet vehicles with an on-board forklift so that we can do bulky items.”
By embracing Rakesh’s IT skills Reliant Couriers have devised a system that gives customers a quote and booking system, followed by complete transparency and oversight of exactly where their goods are on the road. Regular contract work is the mainstay of the business, but never to capacity, so vehicles are always available for customers’ last-minute or urgent requirements.
The list of services includes same and next-day delivery, pallet delivery, refrigerated and medical delivery and fragile loads.
Customer service is paramount and a lot of that depends on the quality of the drivers and their dedication to the company. Later this year, Reliant Couriers will find out if they have been successful in Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards, having been shortlisted in both the Business of the Year and Employer of the Year categories.
“We’re proud of those nominations because we want people to be happy and want to work for us, particularly when we’re growing at the pace we are,” said Rakesh. “The other area we are working hard on is our environmental credentials.
“Haulage uses an awful lot of energy, and I’m always acutely aware when I look at our schedules how many journeys we’re making. But people will always want their goods delivering, so we have to find different ways to help the planet.
“Electric vans are coming to market already and we plan to move over to electric vehicles as and when we can. In terms of the bigger lorries and artics, we’ve got a long way to go before the haulage industry benefits from greener vehicles, but it’s something we’re passionate about and our customers are keen to be a part of, so we’re keeping a keen eye on any steps we can take to improve our carbon footprint.”
Full details of the Reliant Couriers services is available on the website www.reliantcouriers.co.uk or email info@reliantcouriers.co.uk
