Simarco boosts digital infrastructure with Forward

Leading transport technology provider Forward Solutions has been awarded a major new contract for its Forward Office solution. The firm has been appointed by leading multimodal player Simarco International, an award-winning logistics company, who provide a range of supply chain, freight and warehousing solutions in the UK, Europe and across all international trade routes. Simarco currently employees 370 staff operating from seven sites strategically located across the UK and has a turnover of GBP85 million.  Simarco’s Head Office and Southern Distribution Centre is based in Witham, Essex and their Midlands Distribution Centre is located at Stoke-on-Trent with further operational sites at Bedford, Bristol, Gloucester, Heathrow and Manchester.

A key area of focus for Simarco is investing in its digital communications, providing both agents and customers visibility throughout its delivery life cycle. Simarco joins a growing roster of leading multimodal brands who are utilising Forwards’ technology to improve efficiencies including Woodland Group, Cardinal and Laser Transport (part of the Currie Solutions Group). Forward Solutions is one of the longest established freight software development companies, providing an end-to-end solution for a wide range of operators with 50+ users in the UK, Europe, Asia and the US.  The company are transport sector specialists, providing IT systems for leading multimodal players across air freight, sea freight, road freight and rail freight.

Forward Solutions’ Forward Office is a flexible freight management software solution (FMS) which is continually strengthened.  At the core of Forward Office is Forward Core, which is supported by a suite of six additional products which can all be used independently. Simarco first met Forward Solutions at the Multimodal exhibition in 2021, where Forward Solutions previewed its latest UI (user interface), which is due to be rolled out.  This new UI was developed following GBP3/4 million investment the biggest investment to date by the company, to create a revitalised front end. Forward Solutions started the onboarding process with Simarco earlier this year in preparation for roll-out in 2023.

Trevor Scott, Managing Director at Simarco International comments: “The team at Forward bring unique insight into what makes a great system work to its maximum, and their software solutions and experience really gave us the confidence to choose Forward Solutions.  We’re looking forward to working with Richard and the rest of the team to utilise the Forward Office suite to improve efficiencies and make our customer communications even better than ever.” Richard Litchfield, Managing Director of Forward Solutions added “This is an exciting time for the team, already this year we have seen a 15 percent growth in new business as increasingly as the logistics and transport industry looks to utilise new technology to power up supply chain delivery. “IT is fast becoming the cornerstone of a successful transport business.

Innovative IT is essential for top class customer service, with visibility and communication being as important as delivery across the supply chain.

“We’re delighted to be supporting Simarco and looking forwarding to working with their team to strengthen and improve their systems with Forward Office, to use our best-in-class technology, to help them improve efficiencies and deliver the best solutions to meet their needs.

Forward Solutions is part of the Freight Software Group the largest independent group in the UK.