Franchise business, Driver Hire, recently confirmed by Recruitment International magazine, as the UK’s number one specialist recruiter to the transport and logistics industry, is seeing increasing signs that business has turned the corner. As the company heads towards the end of the third quarter of its financial year, the group as a whole is rapidly moving ahead of its turnover target.

 

The pick-up, which started in April 2009, is nationwide, with offices as far afield as Ayrshire and Croydon all showing impressive year on year turnover increases. Driver Hire’s improving levels of business closely reflect a recently published CBI/Harvey Nash survey. Back in the spring almost two thirds of companies were looking to cut back on their use of agency staff. This figure has now reduced to 36%. According to Driver Hire, most customers are now looking to increase rather then reduce their use of temps.

 

This is supported by the fact that a significant number of Driver Hire offices are seeing annual growth in excess of 40%. “We’ve recently won important new national business with a number of major customers which we expect to be worth £2M per annum,” says Driver Hire’s Chief Executive, Chris Chidley. Whilst conditions continue to be tough, we’re trading remarkably well. The outlook is still uncertain, but the consensus is that the recovery has started.”

 

One of Driver Hire’s star performers is their Middlesbrough-based office. The franchise is owned by David Graham. “Our success is being driven, in part, by increased public sector spending on major infrastructure projects; locally the upgrading of sections of the A1. Having said that, the atmosphere generally amongst my clients is much more upbeat. There’s a much more positive attitude around than there was last November.”

 

Chris Chidley concludes:  “Our view is this; whilst some weaker players have fallen by the wayside during the recession, Driver Hire has grown stronger. We’ve continued our strategy of supporting business growth through innovation. The introduction of our new Driver CPC training product will differentiate us further from the competition and provide a platform for really strong future growth. All of which is great news for our franchisees.”