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Cullen Freight in the Driving Seat After 18 Years in the Export and Import Business

Posted: 13th May 2016

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Independent freight forwarding company Cullen Freight, which was founded in 1998 by Spencer Cullen from Birmingham, is firmly positioned in the driving seat with over 18 years of experience in the freight industry and plans to expand its export arm of the business.

The company which currently transports everything from pharmaceuticals and clothing to fruit and vegetables and antiques in over 500 trucks per year, expected to reach 650 by 2017, has enjoyed steady growth in the business with over 30 loyal customers, most of which have been on board since the business first started out.

Spencer said:  “The success of our business is based on our customer service which is why people come back time and time again.

“We are professional, reliable, always go the extra mile and offer a realistic fair price.

“Based on the great feedback we get on the way we take clients through every step of transporting process, constantly updating them, we genuinely feel this is the reason why we have secured a strong place in the freight forwarding market.”

The company is now embarking on a major export drive with two new team members who will work with Spencer to grow this side of the business even more.

Having left Manchester University in 1994 with a degree in English, Spencer had no idea what he wanted to do apart from not wanting to be a teacher like various family members.

By luck he saw an advert in the Job Centre in Lincolnshire, where he moved to after University, for a trainee freight forwarding assistant with a fruit and vegetable importers company – unbeknown to him this would be the start of his successful freight transporting career path.

Over the years Spencer worked his way up to various management positions before going out on his he own, where he came across some great teachers in the industry, learning everything there was to know about cash flow, price negotiations and customer and supplier relationships.

This really gave him the confidence to fly solo, a decision he has never looked back on.

Spencer continued:  “I’ve always wanted to be my own boss, which I’ve know from a young age.  Working from a business model which is your own and works well is a great feeling and shows you must be doing something right.

“My loyal customer base which I’ve built over the years is by word of mouth and reputation and I feel is based on knowing how to look after your clients, listening to exactly what their needs are and how their business works, being honest and over-delivering at all times, which will continue to be our main focus as the business continues to grow.

Steve Jones of Keen Meadows Food, said:   “We have worked with Cullen Freight who handle our Spanish frozen food consignments into the UK for nearly three years because they are different from many others out there in the freight business.

“They listen, they deliver and are always incredibly professional which is what you need when you are putting your trust in someone to deliver goods which people are waiting for at a specific and agreed time, and also importantly, at a fair price. We are looking forward to continuing our strong relationship with them for the foreseeable future.”

Business Comment

Business Comment is the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce’s bi-monthly magazine. It provides insight on Edinburgh’s vibrant business community, with features on the city’s key sectors, interviews with leading figures and news on new business developments in the capital.
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