Made in Sussex: South Link Logistics

Freight and logistics company South Link is celebrating 25 years in business. It specialises in express transport and the palletised distribution of freight to anywhere in the UK. SBT looks at how South Link Logistics has achieved the success it has and where it’s going now.

It’s not every day a company makes it to its 25th birthday. With recessions to get through and competitors to stand out from, it takes hard work and dedication to survive in often competitive market places.

But it’s something that Lancing based South Link Logistics is celebrating. The family run business was started in 1991 by Karl Reidy as a small courier and parcel service operating around the local area. The family remain at the helm today, with continued support from Karl – his daughters Jade and Leann play important roles in the business and his son Paul is a driver.

In the two and a half decades since its inception the company has grown into the transport, freight and logistics business it is today. Employing 25 people, South Link Logistics operates a fleet of 15 vehicles, with access to a further 400 rental vehicles through its partner Allports, transporting palletised freight across the UK. Over the years the company has expanded its offering to reflect the demands of its customers, such as by adding storage and commercial vehicle rental services.

Karl Reidy commented, “It’s hard to believe we’re now celebrating 25 years – time has flown by. It hasn’t always been easy but we’ve recognised that as the needs of our customers continually evolve, we have to as well and here we are today, more successful than ever.”

This success was realised at the end of 2016 when South Link Logistics reached an impressive £3m turnover. At the same time the company celebrated the second anniversary of being a member of entrepreneur Hilary Devey’s palletised freight network Pall-Ex. Being part of Pall-Ex enables South Link Logistics to offer customers an even better service with the ability to transport goods quickly and cost-effectively.

Karl added, “Whilst we’re delighted with the success, we’re not resting on our laurels. Although we’re only a few months into 2017 we’ve already worked with a Sussex marketing agency to help take us forward with the launch of a new logo and a brand-new website.”

South Link Logistics is also keen to be more involved with the wider Sussex community and in January launched its GEM Awards. Karl explains the concept behind the awards, “The aim is to recognise Sussex youngsters who, like us, pride themselves on going above and beyond. Teenagers don’t always get the best press, so throughout the year we will be celebrating their achievements by giving out an award every school term.”

It’s this type of continued reinvention that will mean South Link Logistics continues to operate for many more years.

Karl concluded, “Whilst much of our business has changed and grown, our core values of being a proud, family run, loyal and dedicated company have remained constant.  Since the very start, our customers have been our number one priority and that certainly hasn’t changed; we are focused on exceeding expectations.

“It seems that our 25th birthday has spurred the whole team on to pursue more opportunities and grow the business further, so here’s to the next 25!”

South Link Logistics operates from Winston Business Centre in Lancing. For more information call 01903 851 852 or visit www.southlink.co.uk.