Swift delivering double revenue to £4m in four years

STAFF at a delivery firm in Knowsley, Merseyside are celebrating, after doubling turnover to £4m in four years.

Swift Despatch, which was founded in 1984 as a one-man motorcycle delivery business by owner, Vincent Friery, and is now part of the APC Overnight national delivery network, has grown to become one of Liverpool’s leading couriers.

Employing 50 full time staff members and serving more than 800 local businesses, the company is now on track to deliver a record £4m turnover.

Friery attributes part of the company’s success to the business’s ability to recruit and develop local talent, with five staff members celebrating 25 years or more continuous service last year.

Debbie Charlton was one of those celebrating a milestone, having joined the company in 1985 as an office junior, and has risen to become company director.

Similarly, Mark Davies who started as a motorcycle courier in 1988, is now the company’s operations director.

As well as doubling turnover and significantly increasing staff numbers, the company has more than tripled its capacity in the last five years and has grown its fleet from one motorcycle in 1984 to 34 long wheel-based collection and delivery vehicles today.

Following its latest expansion, the company is now looking to recruit an additional five members of staff within the next 12 months. 

Friery said: “I’m extremely pleased to have been able to oversee Swift Despatch’s meteoric rise. From a one-man motorcycle delivery firm we have grown to become an essential delivery partner for hundreds of Liverpool businesses.

“For many of our customers what sets us apart is the fact that, as a local independent business, we always put them first and as part of the APC Overnight network we’re able to deliver throughout the UK.

“With our turnover set to reach £4m imminently, we already have our sights set on increasing this further to £5m within the next 12 months.”