Evans Transport Blog

Here at Fast Forward International, we're no strangers to a good challenge. Let's just say, our first job for a new client in central London definitely fit’s the bill!

It wasn't your average furniture delivery. This special request involved some seriously bespoke pieces, and let's just say, getting them to their new home wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Think restricted access, a temporary road closure, and an extra-long ladder! (We've got a picture to prove it, check it out!)

But fear not! Our crack delivery crew rose to the occasion, navigating the tight squeeze and scaling new heights (quite literally) to ensure this beautiful furniture arrived safely and securely. The customer? Absolutely thrilled!

So, if you've got a unique delivery challenge,  Fast Forward International is here to get the job done.

Not all our challenges involve international movements, this mission was the second time we had been asked to assist a long-standing client.

After a successful F1 arcade set up in London, our customer required us to repeat the process in Birmingham. The venues used tend to be in city centre locations, with mainly pedestrian access and of course very restrictive delivery times. Our client had committed to a precise schedule set over 3 nights to ensure that opening night took place without any glitches. Our job, behind the scenes, was to make sure that those promises were kept on our client’s behalf. At Fast Forward we are firm believers in teamwork and enjoying the challenges along the way!

Race simulation has come a long way, and our client is at the cutting edge of this very popular sport. One of the perks of the job for our Depot Manager, Lee, was having the opportunity to try out one of their racing rigs at the customer’s premises prior to the F1 installation. He can vouch that it’s a very immersive experience, being a bit of a gamer (an old one!), he reported back that it was very enjoyable!

As part of a large group, Fast Forward International has the added benefit of our own in-house equipment that is purpose built for this type of operation. The plan was to use tautliners with Moffetts (forklifts), however, due to the large amount of equipment being installed over a short period of time, we called on one of our long-term subcontractors (again with Moffetts) to lend a hand. They have assisted us many times and have the same ethos as ourselves. We also have a very dedicated team of drivers (the pit crew), who go the extra mile to get the job done. These days they are not just drivers, they make sure that the freight arrives in perfect condition and on time, and, in this case, they also dealt with the offloading at the delivery point. They protected the cargo from the elements until its installation working alongside the technicians on the ground, then made sure that all the packaging was removed from the site and recycled back at base.

I am sure the F1 arcade venues will be a great success, and it’s nice to know that we played a part in making it happen. We certainly had loads of fun, and hopefully took some of the stress out of the job for our client. In fact, a passing comment from our client was ‘you brought such energy and made a really tense part of the job an absolute breeze’.

Just another day at Fast Forward International

Lee Davison is the depot manager at Fast Forward International, part of the furniture some people may say! You never know what you are going to be asked to move next, and even after 30 years at the firm there is always something new going on. It’s the variety and the challenge that we enjoy, and a recent out of gauge movement from Italy to the UK is just another one of those can you help us out questions!

This particular shipment, on paper was too high & long for a conventional trailer, the easy option for most would be to arrange two low-loader trailers, but as you can appreciate the customer had a strict budget and part of the challenge is to find another way. This is what sets us apart from other forwarding firms and its great to have the freedom to get involved in any market. Therefore we decided the best equipment for this consignment would be an extending low loader, which would achieve the goal in one movement.

Prior to the wheels moving, we requested precise dimensions of all the equipment & weights, so that we could plan the best position of each item within the load and formulate a loading plan. Then we asked the client to send us all the commercial invoices and packing lists, so that we could also take control of the customs formalities required in Italy and the UK.

The loading date was set by the client, as they wanted to see the loading for themselves out it Italy, especially when the Italian shipper thought it would not be possible to load everything on one truck. The driver arrived as planned at the collection point out it Italy and between the driver, our customer and the handling staff, our plan was successful. This is when that attention to detail before the wheels start moving is rewarded, the collection point were so impressed that they even let the driver use the shower!

The following day the driver started his journey back to the UK, no issues with customs in Italy or in the UK, and even made the delivery back to the client in the UK the same week. The client was so impressed that we have been asked to complete more missions in the future!

Contact any of the departments at Fast Forward International through This link

Evans Transport sister company John Seymour Transport Limited based in Maidstone Kent are pleased to announce the acquisition of Fast Forward International of Sittingbourne.

Fast Forward operate 7 vehicles primarily within the construction industry and a Freight Forwarding Division servicing the International Market. The company will still trade as Fast Forward International.

The depot in Sittingbourne will join the Evans group as another location where we can offer warehousing and transhipping services.

This latest acquisition is seen by the Directors as an opportunity to consolidate their position within the construction sector and add support to the International Division.

For more info and services from FFI please visit their website www.fastforward.uk.com