Felixstowe Chamber met up with Matt Claxton, Managing Director of Nacton-based 1 to 1 Transport, to learn more about his thriving business and to understand why they have signed up to become the Chamber’s new Platinum Member.
Matt Claxton shows us a warm welcome at 1 to 1 Transport’s stylish, rural headquarters at Camilla Court in Nacton, Ipswich, which is now home to 13 staff.
There is an air of calm efficiency, as we walk past the bustling transport desks and into Matt’s office, complete with colourful artworks and an upbeat, informal atmosphere.
The HQ even boasts an impressive welfare room, complete with pool table and facilities to ensure that staff can relax, undisturbed, away from their desks.
1 to 1 Transport offers world-class transport and logistics solutions, utilising the latest cutting-edge technology – including telematic systems to track live haulage movements around the UK – to cut inefficiencies and realise cost savings for its customers.
The company specialises in container transportation, road haulage, LCL deliveries, warehousing, oversize loads and out-of-gauge cargo.
According to Matt, trade is going from strength to strength, which he attributes in large part to his talented, dedicated team, overseen day-to-day by Operations Manager, Jermaine Ramsay, and the unparalleled levels of customer service that they offer, no matter how challenging the circumstances.
“We aim to go above and beyond to ensure that your goods get where they need to, on time, and we work around the clock to deliver the best possible experience for all of our customers.”
So, we wonder, what prompted Matt’s interest in joining Felixstowe Chamber of Trade and Commerce?
Matt explains that he is a ‘Felixstowe boy’, and now lives in the house that he grew up in, in Trimley St Mary, albeit some decades apart!
“I was born in Miami Beach, in the US, but Felixstowe became my home in my early years, and it is a place that I love – although I must admit that the weather’s a bit different to Florida!
“I fell into the world of haulage by chance, and I’ve been enjoying it ever since! I used to work with Paul Borroughs (Chair of Felixstowe Chamber) at 3PL, where I became General Manager, before starting out on my own.
“Paul invited me to a Chamber event a few weeks ago and I signed 1 to 1 Transport up to become the Platinum Member. For me, it is important to be part of the Chamber in its formative stages with the new Committee, and to take an active role in helping to develop the future priorities and direction of Felixstowe’s ‘voice of business’.
“And I wanted to do this at the top level of our involvement…in for a penny, in for a pound, as they say!”
How is 1 to 1 Transport looking to benefit from its Chamber membership?
“At 1 to 1 Transport, we like to play our part in the community, and our membership of the Chamber is an important way to share in a vibrant business network, which is growing and spreading its influence and outreach in and around Felixstowe.
“Our staff come from a variety of different backgrounds, from the NHS to education, not just haulage companies, and we encourage them to grow and develop in whichever roles and disciplines they may choose within the company. We look to find the best role to fit them, which is not always the one that they originally start off in.
“We offer dedicated training programmes and investment in continuous personal development, and our membership of the Chamber will help to provide valuable opportunities for our team to attend business events and learn networking skills, as well as discovering future business leads.
“Our Managers, Jermaine and Mike, are keen to support me with our Chamber membership and have found recent events useful and informative, particularly the STEM Business Breakfast at View Point Café.”
What initiatives would you like to see develop at the Chamber?
“Clearly, an important element of Felixstowe Chamber – and its wider links to Suffolk Chamber – is its role within the influential local business community. Networking is a key skill that we look to develop in our team, and the Chamber enables us to get out our message out to new industries and sectors that we would not normally come across in our day-to-day business.
“However, as well as traditional networking, I would support any Chamber initiatives that encourage younger people to become involved in business. Whether it be more informal gatherings, or knowledge-sharing webinars, Felixstowe Chamber could look to grow its offer to attract a younger demographic, who will be the future of business in our town.
“I think that there is also an important place in business to encourage self-care and prioritise mental wellbeing. This is integral to us as a team, and we each have regular mental health check-ins with our PA, Alison to ensure that we are all looking out for each other and doing the very best that we can to create a welcoming, supportive workplace.
“I have also decided to sponsor a mental health self-care book, written by local counsellor, Katrina Love, as I feel that it is a very important issue that needs to be kept at the forefront of businesses.
“I believe that it all about the right tools in the right environment, and we do not all respond to the same things – which is why we place so much emphasis on being vigilant of each other and trying to optimise our working environment.
“Not only is this good for staff retention, but it also has a positive impact on the bottom line.”
How would you describe 1 to 1 Transport?
“Caring, team-motivated and driven. For me, it is all about the team. Profits will follow, if you have happy, collaborative, respectful and well-supported staff behind you.
“I also believe in showing my team that we are all prepared to ‘get stuck in’, and I would not ask them to perform any tasks that I would not be prepared to do myself.
What do you see as the future for 1 to 1 Transport?
“Within just three years, we have been able to build the business to become one of the leading container transportation firms in the East, attracting some major clients. We now run 60-70 trucks, and over 50 trailers. We have also bought our own trucks, and sub-let them, as well as taking on sub-contractors and helping them to grow their own businesses.
“1 to 1 Transport is about offering the very best service that we can and ensuring that we continue to invest in our people, to go the ‘extra mile’ and be available for our loyal customers, delivering goods on time, every time.”
To find out more about 1 to 1 Transport, visit the website at www.1to1transport.co.uk