An outstanding business performance by Newton Aycliffe-based Driver Hire was recognised at the company’s recently held annual Winter Conference.
And the firm is expecting another record year this year, with turnover expecting to top £500,000.
Driver Hire Darlington also won the firm’s prestigious Bronze Achievement Award for outstanding sales performance last September.
Then in one week during December 2014 the transport and logistics specialist recruitment agency achieved its best ever trading performance since the office opened four years ago.
It’s all part of what’s proving to be an outstanding year for the business which is currently 45% up on same time last year.
Driver Hire Darlington, which is a franchise, supply temporary and permanent drivers and other logistics staff to both local and national businesses.
They help when customers need extra staff to deal with holidays, illness, peak trading periods or business expansion.
Managing Director Lisa Fleming bought Driver Hire’s DL franchise in 2011, started out as a sole business with a small army of drivers and with an annual turnover of £220,000 in 2011 which rose to £240,000 in 2012 and then more than £300,000 at the end of 2013.
Now Driver Hire Darlington, based in Carlton House at the HUB Workspace on the park, now has more than 100 drivers on the books and supplies them to around 30 clients in the DL area.
Its team includes Business Development Manager Ian Woodall, Accounts Clerk Lyn Elkin and Admin Apprentice Shannon Murray.
Lisa said: “We’re a hard-working team and it’s great to have our efforts recognised.
“The business has gone from strength-to-strength, with sales increasing by nearly half year-on-year, and we’re expecting to top £500,000 this year.
“The majority of work we’re winning is down to us knowing the transport sector, knowing the law and requirements.
“We’re looking to grow the business over the coming months and years and hopefully take on more staff.”
Drive Hire UK’s Managing Director Jeremy Neale added: “The Darlington team are having a fantastic year.
“They’ve got energy and enthusiasm and show real passion and a desire to succeed, all of which is being reflected in an outstanding business performance.”
Drive Hire has just recently adopted a new DVLA licence-checking system, which enables clients to run quick checks and get instant updates on drivers’ records.
Only four companies in the UK use the same system, which links directly to DVLA instead of through third parties.
Lisa explains: “It gives us instant reporting on driving licences within 24 hours and any alerts happen with the drivers an email is sent straight to the client.
“It’s a much quicker and efficient way of checking drivers’ records and also gives our clients peace of mind that they’re fulfilling their legal requirements on an instant basis, and not just relying on the honesty of drivers.
“We’ve already rolled the software out to a number of our clients, with many other firms looking at it, so it’s another feather to our bow and a great service for customers.”
• Any firms or individuals wanting to know more can call Driver Hire on 01325 314887, or email [email protected]
• Pictured (above): The Driver Hire team – Ian Woodall, Lyn Elkin, Lisa Fleming and Shannon Murray.