Forwarding, Freight News, Logistics, Road

Ace gains best managed company award again

[ September 23, 2021   //   Chris ]

Family firm Ace Express Freight, based at Blakes Cross in North County Dublin, has the Deloitte Best Managed Company Award, for the 13^th year in a row – and one of only 139 companies in the whole of Ireland to do so this year.

ACE is one of the biggest employers in the area, and is actively involved in supporting the local community.

Covid and Brexit have brought many serious challenges to all businesses in Ireland, explained chief executive Philip Tracey. He said: “The pandemic has had a major impact on all our staff and customers; with many significant changes to how we operate. At the start of the pandemic we had to take immediate action to ensure the safety of our people, while adapting our processes and systems to ensure we could keep our customers’ shipments moving and the country’s supply chains open.

Ace’s response strategy included introduction of on-site antigen testing, reconfiguring work spaces and office pods to ensure social distancing, extensive investments in hardware and software to allow most staff to work effectively from home and new rotas with separate teams to ensure continuity in the event of an outbreak.

Most importantly, the pandemic created a renewed focus on team work and culture development to keep all staff connected and included in the Ace Express Freight family.

The UKs departure from the EU on 1 January then necessitated significant strategic planning, preparation and investment to deal with customs clearance.

The company trebled the size of its customs clearance team, secured Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status in both Ireland and the UK, gained a UK HMRC badge, expanded bonded warehousing and arranged significant bank guarantees so that it could clear goods in house.

Philip Tracey added: “This has been a year that none of the team at Ace Express Freight will ever forget; and that’s why we feel so very proud and so deeply humbled to have been awarded the accolade. This is a testament to our people, how they went above and beyond for the team, how they innovated and adapted to deliver to our customers, how they supported and inspired each other, each and every day.”

Tags: Ace Express