The Manfreight transport team has really pulled together and displayed a true ‘one for all’ attitude throughout the pandemic. Due to social distancing rules our departments have been communicating via phone and email for a long time but have rallied together and maintained the best levels of customer service and collection/delivery capabilities. They’ve faced driver shortages with no HGV tests, issues with services and MOT timeframes due to Covid-19 restrictions and they have managed fantastically. From drivers falling sick and shielding, to looking after family members and home schooling due to schools being shut, our staff have also overcome various personal struggles.

Drivers’ mental health has been a real focus in recent times and our team have been conscious of this, increasing communication with the aim of ensuring that everyone is safe. We have also added to the team during this time, to alleviate pressure, manage growth and then support Brexit as we operate in the NI/GB & GB/ROI markets. Brexit brought panic to our customers and many unforeseen delays, so we’ve had to adapt quickly. It brought its own challenges, and yet again the team pulled together and took it in their stride.

To top it all off, in late January 2021 we had a Covid-19 outbreak in the Transport office, thankfully this did not spread across the site, but in a team of just over 20, nine were hit by Covid-19 and some in a hard way, who were off work for weeks. The team yet again pulled together to ensure the wheels kept turning, each chipping in to cover shifts and keeping in touch with their sick colleagues to keep spirits up. The commitment and teamwork they’ve shown over the last 12 months has been second to none and has proven what a great team of people we have at Manfreight.

I work as the Finance Director and admire all the qualities shown by my colleagues in transport. They’ve not let anything get in their way, have picked each other up, supported each other, nurtured new staff and done all of this alongside helping the business grow. You are all heroes!