Amtrak Express Parcels looks to a bright future under new ownership >>
The Amtrak Express Parcels business has moved into new ownership following events over last week when the
company, Amtrak Express Parcels Limited was placed into administration. Amtrak was sold earlier last year by
3i to a US-based investment company and Amtrak had been looking for a buyer or refinanceing in recent months.
Owenership of Amtrak changed hands at the end of last summer, but the company suffered financial difficulties
during the autumn and winter trading, and had been seeking a refinancing in recent weeks.
Amtrak delivers to Virgin Vie at Home >>
4 December 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels is delivering thousands of parcels a week for Virgin Vie at Home, one
of Britain's leading Direct Selling companies. Virgin Vie at Home has a nationwide network of over 12,000
Consultants who arrange Cosmetic and Jewellery Parties at home. Amtrak provides next day deliveries to Consultants
and Mail order customers from their orders received online, and via the Virgin Vie at Home Call Centre.
Amtrak uncorks Oddbins Direct success >>
3 October 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels is providing express delivery services for Oddbins Direct, the online
and telesales ordering service run by Oddbins, the award winning wine merchant and drinks retailer. By providing
next day deliveries to homes and businesses nationwide, the Amtrak service is underpinning major expansion of
Oddbins Direct as the business meets the growing demand for drinks as gifts.
Nationwide Government Mail service launched >>
The Government Car and Despatch Agency (GCDA) has launched Government Mail in partnership with Amtrak Express Parcels.
The nationwide service gives Government direct access to a nationwide network of 100 delivery centres and 1200 vehicles
providing next day delivery of documents and parcels.
Amtrak wins JD Williams contract >>
18 September 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels has won a 3.6 million pound 2 year contract with JD Williams, the UK's
leading catalogue company. Amtrak has started delivering what is expected to total 200,000 parcels a year to homes
across the UK. The contract will support expansion of JD Williams resulting from growing online sales.
National Grid awards Amtrak delivery contract >>
21 August 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels has won a major contract with National Grid to provide overnight deliveries
for their national network of offices and operational sites. Selected as a single supplier for courier services
following a competitive tender exercise, the contract represents one of the largest multi-site contracts awarded
to a carrier in the UK. As well as 150 offices there are hundreds of manned electricity substations that require
collection and delivery services that Amtrak can provide.
SkyNet alliance gives Amtrak global reach >>
8 August 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels has extended its delivery network worldwide following a strategic alliance
with SkyNet Worldwide Express. Amtrak's UK customers can now select a wide range of international services to
directly access SkyNet's network allowing next day delivery to destinations around the globe.
Amtrak and Orbital join forces with innovative delivery services for local businesses >>
7 August 2006. Award-winning parcel carrier Amtrak Express Parcels has earmarked Leicester for major expansion following
a tie-up with local transport and logistics company Orbital Despatches. Orbital has been awarded the Amtrak franchise
for Leicestershire and has embarked on a major business expansion, opening a new East Midlands distribution centre and
purchasing a new fleet of vans. Amtrak has been voted Parcel Company of the Year and won a prestigious innovation
award earlier this year.
Amtrak wins delivery contract with Kitbag >>
27 July 2006...Amtrak Express Parcels has won a major contract with Kitbag, one of Europe's largest online sports
retailers (www.kitbag.com). Kitbag operates the official online stores for Manchester United, Chelsea, Celtic
and Barcelona, as well as sports brands Reebok and Nike Football. Amtrak will provide next-day delivery of football
kits and sportswear products to homes across the UK.
Amtrak expands network with North West hub >>
Amtrak Express Parcels has opened a new hub to handle increasing volumes of overnight parcels. The 65,000 square
ft facility, located at Warrington close to Junction 21 of the M6, boosts Amtrak's national capacity and will handle
up to an extra 25,000 parcels per night; parcels destined for the North West of England and Scotland.
Amtrak boosts turnover to the £100 million mark with Nightspeed integration >>
Bristol, UK - 26 June 2006, Amtrak Express Parcels has completed the integration of Nightspeed, the overnight parcel
carrier that it acquired in 2005. With the amalgamation of all of Nightspeed.s depots into an expanded Amtrak network,
it is the first time in the UK that two parcel networks have been integrated. The move has seen Amtrak increase its
turnover to £100 million, add 8500 customer accounts and secure jobs within the industry.
Amtrak delivers for award-winning nursery >>
20 May 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels is delivering thousands of rare plants to gardeners across the country following
a major contract with an award-winning nursery. Claire Austin Hardy Plants specialise in Irises and Peonies and Amtrak
is currently providing next day deliveries of hundreds of plants each week.
Amtrak boosts MESH home deliveries >>
17 March 2206. Amtrak Express Parcels has won a major contract with leading PC company MESH to provide next day
delivery services nationwide. MESH ships over 75,000 units a year and with Amtrak's flexible delivery options,
MESH has boosted its service by offering its customers a wide range of delivery options including evening and Saturday deliveries.
Amtrak secures government parcel distribution deal >>
May 2006. Amtrak Express Parcels has formed a partnership with Government to deliver mail and parcels nationwide
on behalf of government departments, agencies and associates. Part of a five-year contract with the Government Car and
Despatch Agency (GCDA), Amtrak will be providing a full range of next day services.
Amtrak's Phil Young wins CIO Innovator of the Year Award >>
23 February 2006. Phil Young, Head of IT at Amtrak Express Parcels, has won the prestigious CIO Innovator of the Year Award.
The award is given to the Chief Information Officer or IT Director who has demonstrated a willingness to innovate using products
or services from growth technology firms in the UK. Young has pioneered the use of the latest web technology and wireless data
collection from two UK emerging technology firms, NetDespatch and Unique ID.
Amtrak opens national customer service centre >>
Bristol, UK, 20 Feb 2006 . Amtrak Express Parcels is opening a new national Customer Service Centre in central Bristol.
The company is recruiting to create a national support team to handle customer services calls from Amtrak's key customers.
Amtrak looks to boost capacity after record season >>
January 2006.Amtrak Express Parcels is looking for extra overnight parcel sorting facilities after seeing volumes jump to
new records. 70% of Amtrak's current deliveries are to home addresses and the company has led the move to more convenient
delivery times for people at home. The company already runs two purpose-built hubs in the West Midlands which meet current
needs but Amtrak anticipate continued growth in home shopping will demand extra capacity.
Amtrak's majestic service delivers wine countrywide >>
05 December 2005. Majestic Wine Warehouses has joined forces with Amtrak Express Parcels to launch a new gift delivery service.
Called Gift Solutions, Majestic customers can order one, two, three and six bottle gifts by phone or online. Amtrak deliver
anywhere in the UK using WineTrak, the special handle-with-care service for wine and other fragile goods.
Amtrak's agility wins over Micro Direct >>
Bristol, UK, 16 November 2005. Amtrak Express Parcels has won a multi-million pound home delivery contract with
Micro Direct, one of the fastest growing retailers of PC.s and components in the UK. Micro Direct has seen a big
upsurge in sales via their website www.microdirect.co.uk and this has led to a high demand for home delivery
services. The contract sees Micro Direct taking advantage of Amtrak.s time-convenient home deliveries that include
early morning and evening.
Amtrak delivers a personal message with each parcel >>
1 November 2005. Amtrak Express Parcels has come up with an innovative way to add greeting and other messages to the
outside of parcels. Each parcel can have its own personal message incorporated within a box on the barcode tracking
label. Customers enter the message when booking a parcel delivery online. The message can be for an individual parcel,
such as a personal gift, or as standard messages that change according to parcel contents or the recipient.
Amtrak boosts delivery fleet with Mercedes Sprinters >>
17 October 2005. Amtrak Express Parcels is dispatching a new fleet of Mercedes-Benz vans across the UK to meet rapid
expansion of its home delivery services. Amtrak has ordered 40 long-wheelbase, high-roofed Sprinter 311CDIs. Follow-up
orders are also likely as Amtrak's ambitious growth strategy gathers pace.
Amtrak set to expand Nightspeed secure services >>
Amtrak Express Parcels has announced a new secure overnight delivery service following its recent acquisition of
Nightspeed. Amtrak is retaining the Nightspeed name as an Amtrak brand for specialist services not previously offered
by Amtrak. The first of these is Nightspeed Secure Express which has long been a mainstay of Nightspeed and provides
a unique mix of high security and rapid overnight delivery.
Amtrak's new weightlifters boost home delivery services >>
Bristol, UK, 26 September 2005 - Amtrak Express Parcels has marked an important change in the home delivery
market by offering a new express service for goods that are too heavy to be carried by traditional parcel services.
The heavy lift 'two-man' delivery service will be of particular appeal to retailers who need to deliver popular items
such as plasma and LCD TV's, as well as a whole range of other electrical goods and home appliances.
Amtrak takeover puts family in the driving seat >>
Leeds, UK, 03 August 2005 - Amtrak Express Parcels in Leeds has been taken over by a well known family business
team. Brother and sister Francis and Julie Smith, who ran local breakdown company Wykebeck Recovery before selling
it in 2002, have been appointed as new owners of Amtrak's Leeds business in a major franchise deal.
Amtrak makes the connection via the web >>
Bristol, UK, August 2005 - Amtrak Express Parcels has announced an innovative web-based system that automatically
picks up sales order details for shipping. Developed in association with NetDispatch, Amtrak Connector integrates
sales order processing with parcel despatch and produces bar coded labels - all completely automatically. It is seen
as a major advance in system integration, allowing easy, seamless links between shipper and carrier information.
Amtrak times arrivals in Northern Ireland >>
Bristol, UK, 01 August 2005 - Amtrak Express Parcels has extended its next day services to Northern Ireland to provide before 9am, 10am and Noon deliveries as well as evening and Saturday deliveries. These Premium Services will appeal to anyone sending urgent time sensitive parcels to Northern Ireland. Amtrak is thought to be the first carrier to offer evening deliveries as a standard option and, together with the Saturday option, it is an important development for companies who deliver goods to homes.
Amtrak wins Empire Direct and doubles its business >>
Bristol, UK, 01 July 2005 Amtrak Express Parcels has won a major home delivery contract with EmpireDirect.co.uk. The contract sees Amtrak become the sole overnight carrier for Empire, delivering up to 25,000 parcels a month on next day services to homes throughout the UK.
Amtrak wins £25 million Kleeneze contract >>
Bristol, UK, 10 June 2005 . Amtrak Express parcels has won a £25million, 5 year home delivery contract with home-shopping company Kleeneze. Amtrak will be providing next day deliveries across the UK to boost services to the Kleeneze sales network that employs 14,000 home-based distributors who supply to customers locally. The contract is thought to be the largest next day home delivery contract ever placed and further strengthens Amtrak's position as the home delivery specialist.
Amtrak double deckers boost efficiency >>
Bristol, UK, 09 June 2005. Amtrak Express Parcels has boosted its fleet of trunking vehicles with six state-of-the-art double deck trailers that will boost efficiency and cut costs. The trailers will enable savings of £400,000 in driver and fuel costs alone on 4 consolidated routes, where the fleet size is being halved thanks to the added capacity of the trailers.
Amtrak celebrates wine delivery contract >>
Bristol, UK, 16 May 2005. Amtrak Express Parcels has strengthened its hold on the wine delivery market after winning contracts to deliver wine for Laithwaites, the Sunday Times Wine Club, and other branded wine outlets. Using WineTrak, Amtrak's handle-with-care service for wine, consignments are routed through a purpose built distribution hub for overnight sorting prior to delivery across the country.
Amtrak takes care of perishables
>>
Bristol, UK, 14 April 2005. Amtrak Express Parcels has launched a special overnight delivery service for perishable and delicate items. Using facilities first developed for wine deliveries and a service called WineTrak, Amtrak has developed special handling facilities for foods, flowers and other perishables.
Amtrak takes Laura Ashley home
>>
01 April 2005 - Laura Ashley has awarded Amtrak Express Parcels a multi-million pound home delivery contract. Amtrak will be providing express deliveries of Laura Ashley Home Furnishings to homes across the country. Goods are collected from Laura Ashley's distribution centre in Wales and also from suppliers and the company's 185 stores. Laura Ashley selected Amtrak on proven track record, value, and a willingness to adapt services to Laura Ashley's special requirements.
Amtrak Orders 50 ECT Tractors
>>
10 March 2005. Home delivery specialist Amtrak Express Parcels has expanded its UK distribution fleet with a £1million investment in 50 new vehicles from MAN ERF. The 50 ERF ECT tractor units form part of a fleet of articulated vehicles that carry nightly parcel consignments between Amtrak's hubs, depots and customer sites.
Local businessman gets a hold of Amtrak expansion in Gloucestershire
>>
Bristol, UK, 10 March 2005 - Local businessman Kim Fricker has become the new owner of Amtrak Gloucester after winning control of the entire Gloucestershire region. Bristol-based Amtrak Express Parcels has been booming due to the upsurge in catalogue and retail sales via the Internet. Kim Fricker has managed Amtrak delivery operations since 1994 but under a new franchise deal, he takes over management of the local distribution centre with brand new premises in Stroud.
New Amtrak owner sets out plans for expansion in the local area
>>
05 March 2005. Local entrepreneur Mark Greenwood has become the new owner of Amtrak's business franchise in the region. Already one of the leading players in the nationwide success of Amtrak as owner of the express parcel company's Manchester business, Mark Greenwood promises to bring his recipe of customer service success to the Bolton, Bury and Wigan region.
Amtrak simplifies delivery bookings with new web service
>>
Bristol, UK, 01 February 2005 - Amtrak Express Parcels has launched an innovative online system that simplifies the booking of collections and deliveries. Companies wanting to ship via Amtrak simply log onto the system from any PC and enter consignment details. Connected live to Amtrak's central parcel tracking server, the system remembers addresses and checks postcodes and then automatically produces a printed barcode consignment label.
Liverpool welcomes return of local businesswoman as Amtrak services expand
>>
1 February, 2005. Local businesswoman Val Phillips has become the new owner of Amtrak Liverpool, the fast-expanding express parcel company specialising in home deliveries. Phillips has run Amtrak's operations in Warrington for the last 15 years. Now she has doubled the size of the business by acquiring the Amtrak franchise for Liverpool.
Amtrak extend evening delivery services nationwide
>>
1 Februrary, 2005. Home delivery specialist Amtrak is to extend evening deliveries nationwide. The move is in response to the growing demand for home deliveries as retailers increase sales through catalogues and the Internet. Amtrak is the first express parcel company in the UK to offer deliveries up until 8.30pm as part of a standard service offering.
Wine retailers get Amtrak to deliver 3/4 million bottles of wine
to homes.
>>
23 December 2004. Home delivery specialist Amtrak has delivered 3/4 million bottles of wine
in the run up to Christmas. The company has been surprised by the big increase in shipments
compared with last Christmas and most are a result of Internet orders. Amtrak secured a big
contract with Virgin Wines earlier this year and the company also delivers for a number of
other well known retail and mail order wine companies.
NetDespatch equips Amtrak with online shipping
>>
15 November 2004. NetDespatch has supplied an advanced web-based shipping system to
leading express parcel company Amtrak. The online despatch service gives Amtrak's
customers an easy way to book, label and track their shipments by simply connecting to the
web. The facility allows convenient online booking for any Amtrak customer, irrespective of
volumes.
Amtrak has extended its DayTrak courier service
>>
25 October 2004. Amtrak has extended its DayTrak courier service to provide same day delivery services throughout the mainland Britain. The innovative DayTrak service is managed over the internet with regional DayTrak offices and thousands of customers connected by a specially-developed web service.
Amtrak looks to attract entrepreneurs to drive business expansion
>>
27 October 2004. Express parcel company Amtrak is expanding its franchised business and is offering a ready-made business at six primary locations around the country. With Amtrak's fast growth in home deliveries, being driven by the increase in retail sales via the internet. Amtrak has earmarked Brighton, Canterbury, Tunbridge Wells, Colchester/Chelmsford, Cambridge and Walsall/Dudley as areas selected for expansion.
Amtrak runners help disabled get mobile
>>
14 October 2004. A team of novice runners from Bristol company Amtrak have raised £2000 for charity after completing the 10 mile Great South Run. The team was headed by the company's marketing manager Jane Hart as part of Amtrak's commitment to raise money for Motability. The 15,000-stong field completed the 10 miles through the streets of Portsmouth last Sunday (10th October).
Amtrak profits from home deliveries
>>
Bristol, UK . 08 September 2004.Amtrak Express Parcels has announced a significant turnaround in its fortunes with a return to profitability in 2004. Despite considerable oversupply in the industry and the slow down of the retail sector, Amtrak achieved a 4% growth in turnover to £70 million and a year on year swing of £6 million in operating profit.
Amtrak's speedier home deliveries for Comet
>>
Bristol, UK - 24 August 2004...Comet has awarded a major contract to Amtrak Express Parcels as part of moves to improve home delivery services. Amtrak will be delivering Comet's small electrical and electronic items, working alongside existing carrier Parcelforce and Comet's own fleet that handles larger goods. Comet makes 13 million sales a year and with home deliveries increasing, peak volumes reach 7000 parcels a night.
Amtrak service delivers online digital POD images
>>
Bristol, UK, 07 August 2004. Amtrak Express Parcels has implemented a sophi
sticated system that makes original signed proofs of delivery (PoD) available via the Interne
t. Using the latest document imaging and web technology, Amtrak.s customers, depots and cust
omer service staff can immediately view and print the original PoD document showing recipient
details with signature.
Amtrak voted 'parcel company of the year'
>>
Bristol, UK, 16 June 2004.The express transport industry has voted Amtrak as .Parcel Company of the Year. following an independent industry survey undertaken by the online news channel, E-CourierNews. Amtrak Express Parcels won a surprising 42% of the vote, winning over many of the well known multi-nationals..
Amtrak's high-tech wireless hub handles goods with care
>>
05 May 2004 - Express parcel company Amtrak has opened a new hub, specially designed to handle fragile items using state-of-the-art wireless technology. Using the latest handheld scanners, Amtrak can achieve rapid throughput of parcels hand loaded onto carousels. The new 36,000 square ft hub, which is located a short distance from Amtrak's main hub north of Birmingham, boosts Amtrak's total capacity by more than 30%.
Amtrak gives collections high visibility with on-line NetDespatch service
>>
Amtrak, in association with web services company NetDespatch, has launched an enhanced on-line collections service for goods being returned. The service allows the exact status of any collection to be viewed on the web and provides facilities for Amtrak.s 100 regional depots to print bar code consignment labels in advance of a collection being made.
Amtrak launch evening delivery services to cities and suburbs across the UK
>>
Amtrak has launched an extended evening delivery service in response to the increasing demand for deliveries to homes. The company has become one of the main players in home deliveries and by offering doorstep deliveries up until 8.30pm, Amtrak can provide levels of delivery flexibility and choice not previously available.
HHP Signs £1 Million Deal With Amtrak
>>
HHP has won an order worth £800k for its Dolphin 7300 mobile computers from Amtrak, the express parcel carrier specialist. Amtrak has purchased the Dolphins as part of a significant investment programme, designed to build upon the continuing success of its UK operations.
Iveco Completes Daily Delivery For Amtrak
>>
Husband and wife team Richard and Roslyn Mortimore have pledged to keep Dorset businesses in the fast lane following their takeover of a leading express parcels franchise.
Amtrak Re-Writes The Delivery Rulebook
>>
Amtrak Express Parcels has launched a new express delivery service that is set to send a shudder through the express parcel industry.
New Firm Aims To Keep Luton In The Fast Lane
>>
A Luton company is aiming to become the fastest moving business in the area following its take-over of a leadi
ng express parcels franchise.
Amtrak Clinches Laura Ashley Contract
>>
High Street icon Laura Ashley has chosen Amtrak Express Parcels to provide all its UK courier services.
Amtrak Scores Contract 'Hat Trick'
>>
Spring has come early for Amtrak with news that the firm has clinched a hat-trick of major new contracts.
Amtrak Launches Pioneering Web-Based Same Day Service - Daytrak
>>
Amtrak Express Parcels has underlined its bold plans for expansion with the
launch of a ground-breaking same day courier service covering the whole of the UK
through a single internet-linked call centre.
Amtrak Stronger Than Ever Says New MD
>>
The new head of Amtrak Express Parcels says the company has never been in a
stronger position to grow its share of the express parcels market following a \221top to
bottom\222 shake-up.
Groundbreaking
online system from Amtrak >>
A new web-based booking system for collections will set new
industry standards according to its pioneers, AMTRAK Express Parcels.
Traders' Toast To Winetrak
>>
Wine and sprits traders across the UK are toasting Amtrak Express
Parcels' decision to expand its much admired Wintrak service.
Couple 'Carcoon' The Last Mini >>
A couple who have won one of the last classic Mini Coopers
ever to roll off the production line have vowed never to drive
it.
Amtrak's
'fairytale' customer >>
The stuff of fairytales is not the kind of thing most people
would expect to find in the highly competitive world of the overnight
express delivery business but for staff at Amtrak Express Parcels'
Telford depot the "little people" are all in a day's
work.
You’re
safe with the Amtrak White Van Man >>
15th March 2002. It is common knowledge that the White Van
Man is rude, inconsiderate and has very bad road manners. He cuts
you up, puts other lives at risk and simply doesn’t care
about the consequences of his dangerous driving.
