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10 reasons why you need a freight forwarder

by | Jan 7, 2025 | Customer Help, International Freight

1. Beat your competitors with a fast and professional service

2. Make the shipping process easier and quicker

3. Let someone else take the strain of handling the detail

4. Trust someone with extensive knowledge of overseas transport elements

5. Be informed of all potential costs involved

6. Get advice on specialised packing

7. Get help with special documentation

8. Be fully risk assessed

9. Save yourself money, but most of all

10. Save yourself the hassle!

For more information simply call our friendly and helpful team on: +44 (0) 1709 610 000, or simply send a message >
 
Related post (inc. 90 sec intro movie): An introduction to International Freight Solutions (IFS) >
 
 

Do you need an International Shipping quotation or have a consignment to book in?

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An introduction to International Freight Solutions (IFS)

International Freight Solutions (IFS) can arrange Express or Economy services for your Documents, Parcels, Pallets, Part or Full Trailer/Container Loads, either by Road, Ocean, Air or Rail…

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IFS is a member of World Top Cargo Alliance of Freight Forwarders

International Freight Solutions are proud to be part of World Top Cargo Alliance and look forward to many years of fruitful partnership…

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Merry Christmas from the team at International Freight Solutions Ltd

We would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the year. Christmas office hours…

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UK Government Moves to Scrap De Minimis Customs Rule

The UK government is in open consultation to reform customs treatment of low-value imports (LVIs) into the United Kingdom…

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Valued Google Customer Reviews for International Freight Solutions Ltd

A Freight Forwarder who regularly go the extra mile when it comes to customer service. We believe in carving out long term business relationships…

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Logistics industry experts Logistics UK respond to Anti-Growth Budget

Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ announcement in the Budget of an increase in fuel duty from September 2026 has come as a blow to the sector…

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Member of FIATA, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations

FIATA’s membership is composed of 114 Association Members, overall representing an industry of 40,000 freight forwarding and logistics firms worldwide..

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Port of Felixstowe receives its first two Autonomous Trucks (ATs)

Port of felixstowe has taken delivery of the first two units from an order for a further 34 autonomous trucks (ATs) from Shanghai Westwell…

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International Freight Solutions Ltd is a member of BIFA

The leading body representing the UK International Freight Services industry – The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is the prime trade association for UK registered companies…

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Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ pre-Budget speech fails to rule out tax rises

Warnings that businesses can’t take more tax hikes.  Fear amongst economists that increasing taxes will not help economical growth…

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Logistics UK launches Logistics “Treasure Map” for innovators

Launched 21 October at Logistics UK’s Digital Transformation in Logistics conference, the roadmap challenges innovators to develop creative…

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) by International Freight Solutions

Learn more about a Freight Forwarder by International Freight Solutions. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for…

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UK Logistics Week 2026: Collaboration brings the entire logistics supply chain together

In a landmark strategic move set to fundamentally reshape the UK logistics exhibition landscape, between 30 June to 2 July 2026…

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Our International Courier Services are used by a vast range of business professionals

IFS have taken every care to ensure our customers save time and money when sending (or returning) a package overseas. We have a wealth of expertise…

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New solution set to decarbonise the UK’s transport-logistics sector

by | Dec 2, 2024 | Freight Industry News, Sustainability

Digital Catapult, a deep tech innovation organisation, has announced the results of a pilot programme it delivered to address the environmental impact of empty trucks on roads across the country. The initiative trialled a new solution to decarbonise the transport-logistics sector, demonstrating a potential to cut CO2e emissions by 15-30%.

Green Logistics make happy customers and a happy planetUK logistics play a critical role in driving economic growth, contributing £163 billion to the economy, and serving as a vital link between the UK and the global market. UK freight however accounts for 31% of all UK transport CO2 emissions, and statistics from the Department for Transport (DfT) show that 30% of trucks on UK roads are running with empty loads. The sector is under pressure to decarbonise without compromising on efficiency, and the pilot programme proved that deep tech can achieve this.

The pilot scheme was delivered by Digital Catapult in partnership with AF Blakemore & Son Ltd, the company behind SPAR convenience stores, to explore how a shared digital infrastructure could establish more intelligent vehicle slot filling, routing, and tracking. Scaling of the solution would allow competing logistics providers to safely share information on available truck space across their collective fleets, without the need for a single party to have full control or visibility of the entire system.

The solution was trialled in a real-world industrial environment, and saw distributed ledger technology (DLT) and the internet of things (IoT) combined with an algorithm developed by project partner Fuuse, to optimise route planning and truck use. It achieved this by matching vehicle transport capacity with shipment needs across multiple UK organisations, and saw a 37% decrease in overall transport costs and a 9% improvement in vehicle fill rate for AF Blakemore & Son Ltd, one of the UK’s most successful family owned businesses.

Read more from Catapult Digital’s findings >

 

 

For a freight delivery quotation or to book in your consignment, please click below…

Quote me
Ready to order now?
Excellent
International Freight Solutions Ltd
See all reviews
review us on
Rachel J.
Great service. We needed a parcel collecting from Italy - all arranged very smoothly, efficiently and a very quick delivery.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback Rachel. Glad everything went well for you and that you were happy with our service.
Alan G.
when a friend whose first langauge is not English needed a parcel shipping to Canada at short notice the team especially Paul came up trumps and pulled out all the stops i highly recommend this company
Response from the owner:Many thanks for the great review Alan, always happy to assist.
Emily S.
Lots of help and advice when shipping a ceramic sculpture to Dubai. Very smooth service and speedy delivery. Will definitely recommend.
Response from the owner:Really glad you were happy with our service Emily - hope to assist you again soon.
Declan B.
Great customer experience all the staff are great
Response from the owner:Appreciate the kind words Declan
Tony P.
Had 3 pallets to bring in from Greece. Sender was struggling with UK regulations. Spoke to one freight forwarder who just said 'can't help sorry' as their agent in Greece couldn't help. Was starting to worry until I found IFS. Google reviews looked good and when I spoke to Paul he couldn't have made things any easier. Pallets here safely within a couple of weeks, price cheaper than I was expecting and great communication throughout. Top top company.
Response from the owner:Hi Tony, thanks so much for the great review, we would be more than happy to help you with any further shipping requirements you have in the future!
Justin H.
I was engaged for rapid deployment of contract works in Falun, Sweden which required me to ship some materials to Sweden for the works to be executed. After nothing but extreme pain from the suppliers to get my goods to Sweden, I reached out to International Freight Solutions off the back of reviewing public feedback about their services. I could not have been happier. The team I was dealing with (Jamie and Adam) went above and beyond to guide me on what I needed (EORI number and everything else), kept me updated for the entire cycle of collection, shipping and delivery that I was always up to date and never concerned. Payment and any extra fees for customs or services was all straight forward. It really is this kind of service where there are no grey areas, total professional advice upfront and continued updates maintained, start to finish. For this, it makes me comfortable that future shipping will be trouble-free and I will certainly head straight back to IFS. Thanks Jamie and Adam. Back from Sweden tomorrow. Without your efforts, this would not have even started and got off the ground!
Response from the owner:Thanks for taking the time to leave a really great and detailed review - it means a lot to us! Jamie and Adam will be pleased with the mention too! We really look forward to assisting you again next time.
Daniel W.
I would like to give a special positive review to Catherine Gibson our account manager. Catherine's communication is great along with her speedy competitive quotes. Her communication and updates with our air / sea imports are always up to date and accurate. We have been using International Freight Solutions for well over 12 months now and look forward to many more years working together.

Keep up the good work !!!!

Dan Willerton

Healthy Step (Sensograph) Ltd
Unit E209 Warmco Industrial Park,
Manchester Road, Mossley,
Ashton-under-Lyne,
Lancashire
OL5 9AY
Response from the owner:Many thanks for your great review Dan, it really means a lot to us and especially Cath as she’s bouncing along the clouds now!!
Sam R.
Amazing service from Paul - super helpful, informative and really has a wealth of knowledge. It is a pleasure working with him for our business needs.
Response from the owner:Sam, thanks so much for the kind words and taking the time out to leave such a fantastic review! Looking forward to assisting you again.
Joanne G.
Perfect to deal with and nothing is too much trouble.
Response from the owner:We really appreciate you taking time to leave your kind review - many thanks Joanne!

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Smart Freight Centre and FIATA join forces to drive Decarbonisation in Global Transport Logistics

by | Nov 14, 2024 | Environment Reforms, Global News

Smart Freight Centre (SFC), a leading global non-profit organisation dedicated to reducing climate impacts in the freight sector,

Smart Freight Centre and FIATA Join Forces to Drive Decarbonisation in Global Transport Logistics

Smart Freight Centre (SFC), a leading global non-profit organisation dedicated to reducing climate impacts in the freight sector, and FIATA International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations signed a partnership agreement on 26 September 2024 at the 2024 FIATA World Congress held in Panama. This collaboration represents a pivotal step in accelerating the decarbonisation of transport emissions within the logistics industry, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This is a further milestone for SFC, partnering with a prominent industry association in the transport value chain. Following our agreement with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), a global trade association that represents airlines and sets industry standards, in March this year, the partnership with FIATA will ignite more segments in the transport sector to join collaborative efforts in reducing carbon emissions,” said Andrea Schoen, Director at Smart Freight Centre.

Stéphane Graber, FIATA Director General, echoed this sentiment, stating: “As the global voice of freight logistics, FIATA is committed to leading the logistics industry towards more sustainable practices. This partnership with SFC is a crucial opportunity to equip FIATA Members with the best knowledge and tools necessary to drive meaningful reductions in emissions and foster long-term sustainability.”

As a first joint initiative, SFC and FIATA will launch a co-branded emissions accounting training programme. This training is designed to assist small and medium-sized logistics entities worldwide in consistently reporting their carbon impact and making informed decisions on effective emission reduction strategies.

This partnership signals a unified effort by both organisations to provide the logistics sector with the tools and knowledge needed to meet global decarbonisation goals and support sustainable development. Read mote from FIATA >

Related Topic: IFS is a member of FIATA >

 

For a freight delivery quotation or to book in your consignment, please click below…

Quote me
Ready to order now?
Excellent
International Freight Solutions Ltd
See all reviews
review us on
Rachel J.
Great service. We needed a parcel collecting from Italy - all arranged very smoothly, efficiently and a very quick delivery.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback Rachel. Glad everything went well for you and that you were happy with our service.
Alan G.
when a friend whose first langauge is not English needed a parcel shipping to Canada at short notice the team especially Paul came up trumps and pulled out all the stops i highly recommend this company
Response from the owner:Many thanks for the great review Alan, always happy to assist.
Emily S.
Lots of help and advice when shipping a ceramic sculpture to Dubai. Very smooth service and speedy delivery. Will definitely recommend.
Response from the owner:Really glad you were happy with our service Emily - hope to assist you again soon.
Declan B.
Great customer experience all the staff are great
Response from the owner:Appreciate the kind words Declan
Tony P.
Had 3 pallets to bring in from Greece. Sender was struggling with UK regulations. Spoke to one freight forwarder who just said 'can't help sorry' as their agent in Greece couldn't help. Was starting to worry until I found IFS. Google reviews looked good and when I spoke to Paul he couldn't have made things any easier. Pallets here safely within a couple of weeks, price cheaper than I was expecting and great communication throughout. Top top company.
Response from the owner:Hi Tony, thanks so much for the great review, we would be more than happy to help you with any further shipping requirements you have in the future!
Justin H.
I was engaged for rapid deployment of contract works in Falun, Sweden which required me to ship some materials to Sweden for the works to be executed. After nothing but extreme pain from the suppliers to get my goods to Sweden, I reached out to International Freight Solutions off the back of reviewing public feedback about their services. I could not have been happier. The team I was dealing with (Jamie and Adam) went above and beyond to guide me on what I needed (EORI number and everything else), kept me updated for the entire cycle of collection, shipping and delivery that I was always up to date and never concerned. Payment and any extra fees for customs or services was all straight forward. It really is this kind of service where there are no grey areas, total professional advice upfront and continued updates maintained, start to finish. For this, it makes me comfortable that future shipping will be trouble-free and I will certainly head straight back to IFS. Thanks Jamie and Adam. Back from Sweden tomorrow. Without your efforts, this would not have even started and got off the ground!
Response from the owner:Thanks for taking the time to leave a really great and detailed review - it means a lot to us! Jamie and Adam will be pleased with the mention too! We really look forward to assisting you again next time.
Daniel W.
I would like to give a special positive review to Catherine Gibson our account manager. Catherine's communication is great along with her speedy competitive quotes. Her communication and updates with our air / sea imports are always up to date and accurate. We have been using International Freight Solutions for well over 12 months now and look forward to many more years working together.

Keep up the good work !!!!

Dan Willerton

Healthy Step (Sensograph) Ltd
Unit E209 Warmco Industrial Park,
Manchester Road, Mossley,
Ashton-under-Lyne,
Lancashire
OL5 9AY
Response from the owner:Many thanks for your great review Dan, it really means a lot to us and especially Cath as she’s bouncing along the clouds now!!
Sam R.
Amazing service from Paul - super helpful, informative and really has a wealth of knowledge. It is a pleasure working with him for our business needs.
Response from the owner:Sam, thanks so much for the kind words and taking the time out to leave such a fantastic review! Looking forward to assisting you again.
Joanne G.
Perfect to deal with and nothing is too much trouble.
Response from the owner:We really appreciate you taking time to leave your kind review - many thanks Joanne!

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Freight forwarding goes right back to the 1800’s!

by | Nov 6, 2024 | Freight Origins, International Freight

Back in 1836, Thomas Meadows and Company Limited of London, began to see the need for this industry following the demand created by more reliable rail transport and steamships. Trade was increasing to Europe and North America in particular. In fact the first freight forwarders were London innkeepers who forwarded on the luggage of their hotel guests!

A key element of freight forwarding then, which still exists to this day, was the advice and professional handling of documentation and customs requirements, specialist international knowledge. As worldwide connections continued and continue to increase the demand for freight forwarding has just kept on growing right up to the present day.

Ironically, rail freight in particular, has never been in such high demand with the shortage of truck drivers and the need to reduce the carbon footprint of road miles. Currently 25% of containers from ports are transported by rail, whilst 75% travel on road freight, which means that there are great opportunities for more use of rail freight.

A freight train consumes as little as a third of the energy required by a truck and saves more than 80% of the carbon dioxide emissions. Not only does the future look bright for the industry, but also for our planet!

Related articles:
Boost for rail freight as Network Rail cuts prices… >


Need a quotation or ready to book a job?

Quote me
Ready to order now
Excellent
International Freight Solutions Ltd
See all reviews
review us on
Rachel J.
Great service. We needed a parcel collecting from Italy - all arranged very smoothly, efficiently and a very quick delivery.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback Rachel. Glad everything went well for you and that you were happy with our service.
Alan G.
when a friend whose first langauge is not English needed a parcel shipping to Canada at short notice the team especially Paul came up trumps and pulled out all the stops i highly recommend this company
Response from the owner:Many thanks for the great review Alan, always happy to assist.
Emily S.
Lots of help and advice when shipping a ceramic sculpture to Dubai. Very smooth service and speedy delivery. Will definitely recommend.
Response from the owner:Really glad you were happy with our service Emily - hope to assist you again soon.
Declan B.
Great customer experience all the staff are great
Response from the owner:Appreciate the kind words Declan
Tony P.
Had 3 pallets to bring in from Greece. Sender was struggling with UK regulations. Spoke to one freight forwarder who just said 'can't help sorry' as their agent in Greece couldn't help. Was starting to worry until I found IFS. Google reviews looked good and when I spoke to Paul he couldn't have made things any easier. Pallets here safely within a couple of weeks, price cheaper than I was expecting and great communication throughout. Top top company.
Response from the owner:Hi Tony, thanks so much for the great review, we would be more than happy to help you with any further shipping requirements you have in the future!
Justin H.
I was engaged for rapid deployment of contract works in Falun, Sweden which required me to ship some materials to Sweden for the works to be executed. After nothing but extreme pain from the suppliers to get my goods to Sweden, I reached out to International Freight Solutions off the back of reviewing public feedback about their services. I could not have been happier. The team I was dealing with (Jamie and Adam) went above and beyond to guide me on what I needed (EORI number and everything else), kept me updated for the entire cycle of collection, shipping and delivery that I was always up to date and never concerned. Payment and any extra fees for customs or services was all straight forward. It really is this kind of service where there are no grey areas, total professional advice upfront and continued updates maintained, start to finish. For this, it makes me comfortable that future shipping will be trouble-free and I will certainly head straight back to IFS. Thanks Jamie and Adam. Back from Sweden tomorrow. Without your efforts, this would not have even started and got off the ground!
Response from the owner:Thanks for taking the time to leave a really great and detailed review - it means a lot to us! Jamie and Adam will be pleased with the mention too! We really look forward to assisting you again next time.
Daniel W.
I would like to give a special positive review to Catherine Gibson our account manager. Catherine's communication is great along with her speedy competitive quotes. Her communication and updates with our air / sea imports are always up to date and accurate. We have been using International Freight Solutions for well over 12 months now and look forward to many more years working together.

Keep up the good work !!!!

Dan Willerton

Healthy Step (Sensograph) Ltd
Unit E209 Warmco Industrial Park,
Manchester Road, Mossley,
Ashton-under-Lyne,
Lancashire
OL5 9AY
Response from the owner:Many thanks for your great review Dan, it really means a lot to us and especially Cath as she’s bouncing along the clouds now!!
Sam R.
Amazing service from Paul - super helpful, informative and really has a wealth of knowledge. It is a pleasure working with him for our business needs.
Response from the owner:Sam, thanks so much for the kind words and taking the time out to leave such a fantastic review! Looking forward to assisting you again.
Joanne G.
Perfect to deal with and nothing is too much trouble.
Response from the owner:We really appreciate you taking time to leave your kind review - many thanks Joanne!

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Logistics giant DP World to boost UK trade with £1bn expansion of London Gateway

by | Oct 31, 2024 | Freight Industry News, Ocean Freight

Global logistics giant DP World has today announced a £1bn expansion of London Gateway to make it Britain’s largest container port within five years in a boost to the volume and resilience of international trade.

Do you Import Goods from the Far East? If so, It’s Good News for you!DP World will increase capacity of London Gateway’s port by building two new shipping berths, taking the total to six berths able to receive the world’s largest container ships. The site will also see a second rail terminal added to handle the expected increase in containerised trade.

By the end of the decade, the full quayside stretching more than 2.5km in length will be able to simultaneously receive six vessels, each more than 400 metres long, and boast Europe’s tallest quay cranes at the height of the Big Ben.

The expansion will create a further 400 permanent new jobs, in addition to the 1,200 currently employed at the site, and is the culmination of a rapid growth plan for the Thames Estuary hub which opened in 2013 and has been a catalyst for economic regeneration in south Essex.

The expansion will take the total invested by DP World at London Gateway to more than £3bn, converting the site of a former oil refinery into one of the UK’s largest and most important logistics hubs. The site has most recently seen the addition of a £350m fourth berth, the first to be powered entirely by electricity, and which will soon accept its first ship.

DP World has established Europe’s largest logistics park, employing 1,500 workers, as a counterweight to the Midlands-based ‘golden triangle’ of UK logistics. Tenants at the park benefit from storage, warehousing and distribution services linked to excellent rail freight and motorway connections, and quick access to the important consumer market of London and the South East. Fast-track planning consent enables businesses to erect new facilities in response to demand.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at DP World said: “DP World London Gateway will help make Britain’s trade flow in the future by connecting domestic exporters with global markets and delivering vital supply chain resilience for the whole economy. I am proud of this major investment which underlines DP World’s long-term commitment to the UK.”
Read more from DP World >

 

For a freight delivery quotation or to book in your consignment, please click below…

Quote me
Ready to order now?
Excellent
International Freight Solutions Ltd
See all reviews
review us on
Rachel J.
Great service. We needed a parcel collecting from Italy - all arranged very smoothly, efficiently and a very quick delivery.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback Rachel. Glad everything went well for you and that you were happy with our service.
Alan G.
when a friend whose first langauge is not English needed a parcel shipping to Canada at short notice the team especially Paul came up trumps and pulled out all the stops i highly recommend this company
Response from the owner:Many thanks for the great review Alan, always happy to assist.
Emily S.
Lots of help and advice when shipping a ceramic sculpture to Dubai. Very smooth service and speedy delivery. Will definitely recommend.
Response from the owner:Really glad you were happy with our service Emily - hope to assist you again soon.
Declan B.
Great customer experience all the staff are great
Response from the owner:Appreciate the kind words Declan
Tony P.
Had 3 pallets to bring in from Greece. Sender was struggling with UK regulations. Spoke to one freight forwarder who just said 'can't help sorry' as their agent in Greece couldn't help. Was starting to worry until I found IFS. Google reviews looked good and when I spoke to Paul he couldn't have made things any easier. Pallets here safely within a couple of weeks, price cheaper than I was expecting and great communication throughout. Top top company.
Response from the owner:Hi Tony, thanks so much for the great review, we would be more than happy to help you with any further shipping requirements you have in the future!
Justin H.
I was engaged for rapid deployment of contract works in Falun, Sweden which required me to ship some materials to Sweden for the works to be executed. After nothing but extreme pain from the suppliers to get my goods to Sweden, I reached out to International Freight Solutions off the back of reviewing public feedback about their services. I could not have been happier. The team I was dealing with (Jamie and Adam) went above and beyond to guide me on what I needed (EORI number and everything else), kept me updated for the entire cycle of collection, shipping and delivery that I was always up to date and never concerned. Payment and any extra fees for customs or services was all straight forward. It really is this kind of service where there are no grey areas, total professional advice upfront and continued updates maintained, start to finish. For this, it makes me comfortable that future shipping will be trouble-free and I will certainly head straight back to IFS. Thanks Jamie and Adam. Back from Sweden tomorrow. Without your efforts, this would not have even started and got off the ground!
Response from the owner:Thanks for taking the time to leave a really great and detailed review - it means a lot to us! Jamie and Adam will be pleased with the mention too! We really look forward to assisting you again next time.
Daniel W.
I would like to give a special positive review to Catherine Gibson our account manager. Catherine's communication is great along with her speedy competitive quotes. Her communication and updates with our air / sea imports are always up to date and accurate. We have been using International Freight Solutions for well over 12 months now and look forward to many more years working together.

Keep up the good work !!!!

Dan Willerton

Healthy Step (Sensograph) Ltd
Unit E209 Warmco Industrial Park,
Manchester Road, Mossley,
Ashton-under-Lyne,
Lancashire
OL5 9AY
Response from the owner:Many thanks for your great review Dan, it really means a lot to us and especially Cath as she’s bouncing along the clouds now!!
Sam R.
Amazing service from Paul - super helpful, informative and really has a wealth of knowledge. It is a pleasure working with him for our business needs.
Response from the owner:Sam, thanks so much for the kind words and taking the time out to leave such a fantastic review! Looking forward to assisting you again.
Joanne G.
Perfect to deal with and nothing is too much trouble.
Response from the owner:We really appreciate you taking time to leave your kind review - many thanks Joanne!

Search Blog by Categories

Sign Up for IFS News Updates