PROVIDING qualified staff on long- or short-term contracts is the business of Driver & Warehouse (D&W), a Yorkshire brand with more than six years' experience in this growth industry.

Founded to provide Class 1 HGV drivers, D&W has expanded its services to include placing warehouse operatives, drivers' mates, forklift and van drivers. Established by Michael Worsfold, who has 10 years' experience running a highly successful HGV driver agency, D&W is expanding through franchising to provide the same professional local service on a national level.

Substantial Market Potential

"The distribution sector is well established within the £24.5 billion employment industry," explains D&W Director James Rawstron. "Almost all organisations, including transport, warehousing and manufacturing companies, use agency staff for temporary cover. "Add to this the recent European Working Time Directive, which cuts the maximum working hours of the week from 55 to 48, plus a recognised shortfall in qualified drivers, and franchisees have a substantial market to tap into operating from exclusive territories."

Excellent Training & Support

No distribution experience is necessary as franchisees receive ongoing training and support, and can draw on the Directors' many years of experience. "The training course was excellent," praises Kevin Roberts, franchisee for South Wales. "It covered everything I needed and was pitched just right."

As part of the franchise package franchisees receive telephone and on-site support. The franchisor also removes the need for administration staff by completing all relevant paperwork, such as invoicing and payroll, on behalf of franchisees and keeping them up to date on legal issues such as health & safety.

Why Customers Call D&W First

New D&W franchisees Carl and Georgia Sharp confirm: "Even just sorting out the payroll is a full-time job, so we're lucky head office takes care of it, leaving us to concentrate on getting customers. In fact we're very satisfied with the support - they give us the personal attention we need. We're on the phone to the Directors or National Operations Manager three or four times a day and they've always got time for us."

D&W's competitive offering includes a 15-minute response time and 24-hour availability. "The 15 minute promise is a good selling point," confirms Carl. "We promise an answer as to whether we can supply a driver within 15-minutes of a request being received. This gives the customer time to find an alternative, and makes us the first phone call they make when a driver is needed. Add to this our 24-hour availability pledge and we offer excellent customer service."

Provided you're a good communicator, committed and enthusiastic, with an interest in managing an efficient agency franchise dedicated to customer care, D&W will ensure you have the tools and operational know-how to build a profitable and rewarding business.