Choosing the right logistics partner can make all the difference in the complex global commercial landscape, where efficiency and reliability are crucial. KUKLA UK’s commercial team, composed of dedicated professionals, holds a central position in the company as it navigates this intricate process with precision and expertise.
Commercial Director Lynda Simms and Commercial Manager John Hay are at the forefront of this. Together, they form a formidable duo, effectively coordinating the selection and range of operational partners to ensure each customer order movement is seamless and efficient. They are not alone in this endeavour. They are supported by the Business Development Manager Chris Porter, whose experience and approach open new horizons for the company in a constantly evolving market.
The Commercial Team managed by John (photo) is Wendy Wood (L) and Leah Robinson (R), both highly skilled professionals who consistently provide excellent support and contribute to the success of the Commercial Team.
Commercial Manager John Hay: “The relationship with our carriers has to mirror what we offer our clients.”
Central to KUKLA UK’s achievements is its meticulous selection of carrier partners. As John emphasises, “The carrier partners we select are essential since it is these partnerships which will deliver the service expectations that drive value, trust and transparency. The key word here is value. Not necessarily the cheapest, but what we look for first and foremost in a carrier partner is:
- Reliability of service – a fleet robust enough to have the coverage of equipment to plan and respond to ready dates and prompt collection;
- Trustworthy, timely and accurate information;
- Full insurance and security;
- Knowledge of the industry and the need to treat fragile, sensitive and sometimes high-value products with care and attention;
- Understanding that our relationship with our carriers has to mirror what we offer our clients—the communications we give are only as good as the accuracy of information from our partners.”, he adds.
John acknowledges the intricacies, particularly the involvement of 3rd party elements, which underscores the importance of effective collaboration and communication among all stakeholders. “These basic elements of our buying strategy remain the same whether we are looking to partner with road, rail, or sea operators. Road freight operators are much simpler to control, find solutions to the unforeseen and work together to overcome challenges during freight passage. With sea and rail, it’s much more complex and open to third-party elements.”
Commercial Director Lynda Simms: “The importance of the forwarder is such that we will build up a sufficient base of quality operator partners that enables us to be a one-stop shop for our clients.”
Commercial Director Lynda Simms states, “The importance of the forwarder is such that we will build up a sufficient base of quality operator partners that enables us to be a one-stop shop for our clients. The ability then to (a) service any specific requirement, (b) offer options for services to reduce carbon emissions, (c) offer options and (d) security, care, reliability and integrity for the transport of our client’s goods.”
Business Development Manager Chris Porter: “An agile and flexible suite of services from our partner relations, coupled with our operational team’s attention to detail, gives me 100% confidence in what we sell and deliver.”
Business Development Manager Chris Porter adds, “To have access to such a range of solutions when talking to clients, to offer options for any requirement, high-value temperature control, next-day delivery, or dedicated small vans is invaluable. Our understanding of industry requirements can, if needed, therefore, go beyond the standard groupage collect week A and deliver week B to offer added value services tailored to specific requirements. An agile and flexible suite of services from our partner relations, coupled with our operational team’s attention to detail, gives me 100% confidence in what we sell and deliver to our clients”, he declares.
Commercial Manager John Hay: “We measure our suppliers’ performance with KPI metrics, as we expect our clients to measure us.”
Commercial Manager John Hay continues, “We measure our suppliers’ performance with KPI metrics, as we expect our clients to measure us. Our sales team listens to client requirements with the knowledge that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. Instead, a confidence that we have a range of price and service options, in the full knowledge that our carrier services are robust and that the information and communication between them and our operations team is reliable and accurate. The sale to our client is therefore tailored, with a range of options on offer that de-risk potentially damaging time constraints or unforeseen events such as strikes or weather delays.”
Prices range depending on requirements and individual circumstances, which determine the method of transport to be used. However, Kukla UK’s agility assures clients they only partner with carriers who hold to their values. Those who give them the ability to work with as wide a range of service and price options as possible. The right type of equipment, in the right place, at the right time for the right price – to get it right the first time.
Commercial Director Lynda Simms: “We continue to deliver the best possible freight forwarding service to the drinks industry.”
Strategic member of the leadership team, Lynda Simms, is constantly focused on the big picture at both the local and global levels, stating, “Partnering with as many carriers as possible who espouse our goals allows us to fulfil our commitment to our customers at both a local and global level. Keeping our internal operational processes tight enables Kukla’s external successes to thrive. We continue to deliver the best possible freight forwarding service to the drinks industry via our partnerships.”, concludes the Commercial Director.
