Fastway Couriers extends Gen-i relationship

Fastway Couriers has extended its 15 year relationship with Gen-i to support the Napier-based delivery company’s continued success and expansion into international markets.

The deal extends Gen-i’s relationship with Fastway Couriers by five years, and comprises ongoing provision of the company’s fixed voice and mobile services, and internet services for Fastway’s entire global network, delivered out of the Hawke’s Bay.

The Fastway Couriers’ story is well known in the Hawke’s Bay region. Having begun 30 years ago with just one van making daily deliveries around the Napier area, the company has since grown to a global network of 63 depots and 1200 Courier Franchisees across New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Northern Ireland and South Africa. Fastway today serves over 95,000 customers across the globe.

Over the past five years, a significant part of Fastway’s business growth and expansion has come from increasing sales from the online retail sector.

As Group Managing Director for Fastway Global, Brem Ellingham explains, Gen-i ‘s provision of a robust internet service for the company globally has been crucial for Fastway’s ability to meet the intense demands of this fast-moving sector.

"We believe the local service provided by Gen-i is extremely beneficial to our business. Their 24 hour support is critical to an international franchise operation like ours, and vital to the success of our company," he says.

"With Gen-i’s powerful ICT infrastructure we’ve been able to consistently provide a world-class delivery service that continues to win us business at home and abroad."

Ellingham gives the example of OzSale.com.au, an online fashion retailer for which Fastway delivers purchases throughout their Australian network. This site runs daily sales of limited numbers of items that are quickly snapped up by shoppers requiring fast delivery.

"This can often mean processing hundreds of transactions every hour, at all hours of the day. If the system is down even for 30 seconds, their business grinds to a halt," says Ellingham.

"We currently have more than 500 sites with electronic label printers that rely on the system to cope with such a high volume of transactions. Thanks to Gen-i, we‘ve consistently proven our capability in responding to such demand, which has led to double-digit growth for us over the last five years."

Ellingham also says that having the internet service for the global network provided from the company’s Napier location is an important local commitment for the company.

"The ability to house our global servers within the Telecom Exchange building is a big plus for Fastway, giving us the flexibility to maintain and support our infrastructure with a local team," he says.

"This would not be possible without the help of Gen-i’s service and the care taken to ensure our international operations are accessible by our teams in Australia, South Africa and Ireland during times outside of business hours for New Zealand."

"Fastway were pleased to re-sign with Gen-i for a further five year term not only because of the competitive rates on offer but just as much for the excellent back up and support services we have experienced in the past," says Ellingham.

Key Client Manager at Gen-i’s Napier office, Leisa Epplett, says they are delighted to be continuing the relationship with Fastway Couriers, and that it‘s a great example of how Gen-i’s presence in Hawke’s Bay delivers manifold benefits for local businesses.

"Working side by side with Fastway certainly helps maintain their competitive edge in the region, and I’m thrilled that Fastway recognises the value of our local team," she says.

"Mobility has been absolutely key to Fastway for a number of years now, and with the business productivity improvements that are on the horizon, this will only continue to grow over the next few years."

Ellingham says Fastway is now looking forward to Gen-i’s technology assisting the company with a range of initiatives that are set to shape the direction of the courier industry over the coming year.

"Our focus will be on introducing new solutions that make Fastway Couriers even more attractive to New Zealand-based and international online retailers."

Ellingham says this will include a highly-efficient trans-Tasman delivery service, and the trial of a network of convenience outlets from which customers can send and collect parcels, called Parcel Connect.

"Gen-i knows and understands our business. The instant support that they provide ensures continuity, and to have personal and local support available gives us the assurance we needed in what is a critical part of our business."