Now vs. Then – 20 Years in the Same Day Logistics Industry

In just under a month, Today Team will be celebrating our 20th birthday! Founded in 2005 with a helping hand from The Prince’s Trust, we began operating as same day couriers with a single, leased van.

Lots of things have changed since 2005, while some haven’t changed at all. If you cast your mind back to that year, you might recall some of the following:

• Ellen MacArthur set a record for a quickest solo round the world sail, completing it in 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds.
• The average price of a litre of diesel was £0.85, and a Mars Bar around 30p.
• The first YouTube video, “Me at the zoo,” was uploaded, marking a significant moment in internet history.
• One of the UK’s top hits that year “(Is This the Way to) Amarillo” was released by Tony Christie feat. Peter Kay to raise money for Comic Relief.

Early in 2005, Today Team’s founder Jamie Boyd was more focussed on pursuing a career as a professional Rugby League player. Those hopes came to an end after a serious knee injury, and in the latter part of that year, his attention turned to starting a logistics business.

With the idea of Today Team formulating, Jamie’s lack of experience and financial resources were an obstacle to overcome. But as mentioned above, thanks to a small loan from the Prince’s Trust, Jamie rented a van, fuelled up and started his journey by securing some early clients.

Changes in logistics industry technology

For the next year and a half, Jamie built up his experience, and began to understand the significance of prompt deliveries. This would lay the foundations for Today Team.

Back then, operations were managed via a Sony Ericsson Walkman phone on a lanyard round his neck, in an early iteration of “hands free”, with bookings being scribbled into the diary. Invoices were done in his bedroom at the weekend in Microsoft Word.

It’s fair to say that technology has moved on significantly since then! While our fleet of drivers still use mobile phones to communicate, our Journease delivery software has allowed us to streamline the process of managing the many jobs that come into Today Team on a daily basis.

We’re able to respond to enquiries arriving via our website in rapid time, getting back to customers with a quote in less than 15 minutes, and have their goods picked up within an hour of order confirmation, from anywhere in the UK. Automatic updates are sent to customers to confirm collection and delivery.

As we look to what the future might bring for the logistics industry, anticipated changes include further automation and the incorporation of AI. On the road, ICE vehicles will begin to be phased out in favour of alternatively fuelled or electric vehicles, and perhaps 20 years from now, eventually replaced by automated vehicles and drones!

Today Team’s values haven’t changed

While some things have certainly changed over the last 20 years, one aspect of Today Team that hasn’t are the values that shape how we do business.

During a recent spring clean, we uncovered some marketing materials from a previous chapter:

While the branding has changed from red to blue, among various iterations over the years, the message is still relevant.

Today Team’s first clients were local bed and sofa shops in Warrington, plus local courier and transport firms that subcontracted work to Jamie. The business was built from there, with some founding principles – we deliver on our promises, and reliability is everything.

Changing demands from industry can shape supply chains, and of course this requires us to adapt and tailor our same day delivery services to suit.

But ultimately, regardless of what we’re collecting and delivering, we know that when something absolutely has to be somewhere, and our client is relying on us, we’re only as good as our word and our last job.

A journey shaped by challenges

When looking at now versus then, we can’t ignore the challenges that have shaped Today Team over the last 20 years and more.

From Jamie overcoming his initial sporting setbacks to bootstrap the business and driving around the UK and Europe for 18 months, to the global recession of 2008, growth challenges in 2015-17, and Covid times from 2020-22; it certainly hasn’t been a smooth ride.

While it would be great to know what we know now at the start, those 20 years have certainly shown that “smooth seas do not make skilful sailors.”

One more thing that hasn’t changed since 2005, is that it’s still just as important to celebrate the successes and milestones along the way. So, as Today Team turns 20 on May 16^th, we’ll stop to look back, celebrate as a team, and then look forward to the challenges to come.

Whatever comes next, we’ll approach it with the same commitment and values that have gotten us this far.

 

Same Day Courier – When Tomorrow is Too Late, Choose Today.

If your business depends on time-sensitive deliveries, you need a logistics partner that won’t let you down. With a proven track record of delivering when it matters most, you can always rely on us.