– A HIGH PERFORMANCE INITIATIVE IN THE DOOR-TO-DOOR FREIGHT FORWARDING BUSINESS.

Ellcworth Express, the new door to door courier and shipping business that started in the UK earlier this year, is now offering its unique collection, packing and freight management service from the company’s maiden warehouse, which opened in Romford at the start of this year.

The business has an impressive pedigree. Already the category leader in its original door to door courier delivery to all destinations in Ghana, the plan is now to grow the brand nationally. The Ellcworth Express management team have been working on bringing the concept to Ghanaian residents in UK, but Jake Boateng, Managing Director, freely admits that seeing the business open for trading is the point where the plan starts to feel ‘real’.

Primarily, the calibre of the UK team is very high - they have a breadth of experience across logistics, retail, travel and marketing. In addition, they have undertaken stringent due diligence to ensure there are no hitches or surprises. “We are confident that the Ellcworth Express proposition is genuinely unique and addresses a gap in the market that the major freight carriers cannot address,” Jake Boateng explains. “Our research shows that even though there are many companies offering a door-to-door collection and delivery service from UK to Ghana, lack of professionalism and innovation as well as getting the basics of logistical planning right has many users of the service totally disappointed and looking for something better.” Our early experience of many customers wanting to switch from their regular service providers to Ellcworth Express reinforces this. Virtually the first order after opening was an FCL to Tema that perfectly illustrated how hungry customers are to use a better, more transparent and authentic door-to-door delivery service. “Our customers have every right to demand an excellent service that caters to their unique requirements”, Jake maintains.

Although the Ellcworth Express philosophy is that the company can ‘send anything to Ghana’, UK general manager, Joseph Bannerman, did not expect to have this tested quite so hard, so soon. He explains: “Our customer wanted us to provide safe collection and delivery of some glassware items, but the challenging thing was that the goods were already packed in boxes that were not so suited to the objects within! Ellcworth Express, however, was the perfect choice for this shipment. Not only were we able to supply insulated packing and sufficient double wall stock cartons for the 16 day-long ocean transit, but our team repackaged the entire consignment prior to shipment down to Tema port and our local agent in Ghana safely delivered the cargo.”

Not all Ellcworth Express customers are glassware stockists though, and the business already has supply contracts with charity organisations, international shippers and personal customers, as well as servicing the core SME market doing business by buying stock in UK and shipping to Ghana.

Despite the tough economic conditions in the UK at present, the small business sector is continuing to show growth. Additionally, the strong ties that Ghanaian residents in UK have with family and friends back home is such that sending gift packages home is a constant feature. Says Jake Boateng: “If you have a fragile, large, awkward or valuable item to ship to Ghana there are very few options available other than investing time and money in personally accompanying the item from door to door - and this may rarely be practical or cost-effective and simply inconvenient. Ellcworth Express can resolve the issue at a fraction of the cost, and with the care and attention that you would give the goods if you were transporting them yourself.”

“We ensure each item is packed securely, no matter how large or fragile it is, and we manage the end-to-end transportation in whatever time frame is required. Our local agent in Ghana has modern warehousing facilities and management tools to ensure greater accuracy and speed of delivery.”

GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE The high quality service and personal attention that is a key part of the Ellcworth Express ethos also supports the repeat business that is inherent in the proposition. The UK team are very clear that the mix of responsive customer service and operational excellence will ensure that the business has robust systems and highly competitive supplier contracts.

Ellcworth Express is now helping businesses and consumers across the UK with more conventional requirements too. The company’s range of domestic and international courier services and collection and custom packing solutions are ideal for transporting anything, from spare parts to personal luggage to Ghana.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ? If you would like to learn more about the Ellcworth Express story in the UK call Jake Boateng on 0843 289 3050 or email info@ellcworth.com. You can also visit www.ellcworth.com