May is set to be a busy month for Fastway Couriers, with the New Zealand package delivery franchise celebrating 30 years of operation in New Zealand, and 20 years since it entered the Australian market.  

According to Richard Thame, CEO, Fastway Couriers Australia, the franchise has quite a broad reach, with more than 700 franchisees in Australia alone.

The company also has national master franchises in New Zealand, Ireland, Northern Ireland and South Africa.

Despite its growth, Thame said the company continues to operate with its core values in mind.

“Our core values of providing a cost effective, reliable, timetabled courier service remain the same as they did in 1983.

“Of course, there have been substantial changes in the industry in the last 30 years for businesses operating today, it’s all about how to make the most of new technology and the opportunities resulting from the growth in online retailing,” he said.

The company has subsequently instigated a number of operational changes in order to keep up with the needs and wants of its customers.

“Our goal has always been to help our clients make the most of their last mile by ‘delighting the customer at the door.’

“As a result, we’ve listened to our customers to understand their needs and have introduced a range of intelligent tools and freight options that promote simplicity and transparency for businesses of any size,” he added.

Thame said the company’s franchisees have played a key part in its success, some of whom have been with Fastway Couriers since the beginning.

Angelo Tseros is one such example. He was the first Australian franchisee to join Fastway Couriers in 1993, and 20 years later he is still involved with the company.

Tseros is now depot freight operations manager, and he and his team oversee the distribution of freight for 200 franchisees, as well as handle more than 40,000 packages each day.

He finds his work with the company incredibly satisfying, and does not have plans to leave anytime soon.

“I love a challenge and I can’t think of any other business which would offer the same kind of opportunities. I love the job satisfaction I get after a huge day, filling the truck to capacity and getting it right.

“Seeing the growth which has taken place over the last 10 years in particular has been very exciting to me and I’m looking forward to the future with Fastway,” he said.

It seems online retailing will allow Fastway Couriers to continue to grow.

“The surge in online retailing in Australia has made the road ahead very smooth for Fastway. I’d like to thank all our staff, customers and franchisees for being a part of our continued success,” said Thame.

Check out the latest issue of Franchising for a full interview with Thame, where we talk milestones and the future!