A few weeks ago I announced that Ital Logistics were sponsoring part of the Grassington Festival, in particular ‘An evening with Rick Wakeman’, which took place a week last Friday to a full crowd. Well the weather was extremely good (thankfully, as the show was performed in a marquee), and Rick’s mixture of music and anecdotal humour was, as one would expect, simply brilliant.

A real treat for me was to spend some time chatting with him personally, finally meeting one of my ‘musical mentors’, with the unexpected bonus that he signed my Moog Prodigy synthesizer! No, it is not for sale on Ebay!! Afraid I can’t resist, but here is a picture of Rick and me (looking rather smug I must say!), with the said signed synthesizer.

So yes, there was some ulterior motive in sponsoring the festival, apart from spreading the word about Ital Logistics…

Phil Denton, Managing Director

Well what has this got to do with Freight Forwarding I expect you are thinking…

Not a lot, except that we are one of the sponsors for the Festival’s 30th Anniversary bash which pretty much takes over the quiet idyllic Yorkshire Dales village between 11th and 26th June this year, turning it into an amphitheatre of festivity.

Amongst the performers is one of my personal favourite musicians, Rick Wakeman, which was how I came to be involved in this event; originally as a spectator, but then as sponsors for this specific evening.

From the Manfreds, Dave Berry, The Proclaimers, Jacqui Dankworth, and many more, plus a typical ‘Last Night of the Proms (oddly not on the last night!), to Carnival Parades and other activities, there is something for everyone.

You can find out what’s on, where and when by visiting the Grassington Festival website. Trust me, there is something for everyone and it is well worth a visit.

Phil Denton, Managing Director

We are pleased to announce our new partner in Madrid – MZ Logistic SL. Founded in April 2007, from people spanning more than 25 years of experience in this sector, their specialisation is the UK and Ireland, Eastern Europe, and the Baltic and Scandinavian countries. Their facility is in the main industrial area of Coslada where they have some 20,000 sq ft at their disposal, along with plenty of room for expansion, both in the office, and the warehouse.

Immediately on meeting them, it was clear that their enthusiasm to develop and progress is infectious, a refreshing change to our previous partner. Carried over from their previous activity, there are already two trailers operating round trip between Madrid and the UK, and with the addition of our own existing business, this has already been increased two-fold.

Bridging the gap between our existing export/import routes with Barcelona and Portugal, we are confident that our road freight services to and from Iberia with continue to flourish, providing enhanced services to our clients, both old and new.

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Phil Denton, Managing Director

After careful consideration, we have decided to interrupt our collaboration with Swiss partner STF Internationale of Basle.

We shall still be offering a service to and from Switzerland, but this will now be in the capacity as forwarder. We do not anticipate any disruption to our clients who have been supporting this line to date, the only difference being that we will no longer have an active commercial partner.

I believe that this will allow us the time to focus on the real core services that Ital Logistics has become synonymous with. There are several things afoot as we continue through our tenth year of operation, and I should be in a position to advise further in the next few days.

Whilst writing…..
…we were extremely pleased to receive a thank you letter from Father Gerald Abuachi at the Parish of San Raniero who was immesely grateful for our assistance in transporting Gift Aid to them just before Christmas. If you would like to read more about the work that St Josephs New Malden has done, and view a pictorial time chain of the loading and unloading, visit their website.

Update…
Readers of our recent newsletter will know that we have offered our services free of charge to transport gift aid comprising of computers, musical instruments, clothes, and presents in time for Christmas, from St Joseph’s Catholic Church in New Malden Surrey, to the Parish of San Raniero, Civita di Bagno, in the earthquake affected area of L’Aquila Italy. Well this Monday, Derek and I went to New Malden to load and palletise the items onto our International trailer, including the crating of two statues. Delivery is scheduled for Monday 21st December in Civita di Bagno, so all being well, with the help of our Italian partners the consignment will arrive in good time for Christmas.

We are extremely pleased to have been involved in this cause. The organisers, Malcolm and Felicity Surridge, started this appeal shortly after April when the devastation took place, and they have been overwhelmed at the generosity of New Malden, not only in raising the consignment of gift aid, but also exceeding GBP9,000 in monetary donations which will help the Italian parish in their many hours of need. You can read all about if from beginning to end on their website

Once again, now a little more timely, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the continued support and, wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Phil Denton, Managing Director.