Denise and Graham Clarke - Fastway Couriers Wanganui
Fastway Couriers Wanganui win New Zealand Franchise Award
27/11/2018
Fastway Couriers Wanganui is on a roll by taking out a Westpac New Zealand Franchise Award at the weekend.
Fastway Couriers Wanganui owners Graham and Denise Clarke took out the Regional Master Franchisee of the Year in Auckland. It was the third time they’ve won at the Franchise Association of New Zealand Awards, winning in 2006 and 2008.
“We’re really stoked with the latest win, we had to do a double take as we were the only finalist announced on Saturday night which meant that we were the winners. We were told afterwards that our award entry was so strong that we were head and shoulders above any other entries.
“Denise and I and the team have worked incredibly hard over the last couple of years and the business has been going from strength to strength, picking up some new customers and taking on a Briscoes fulfilment site.
“The real difference has been that we are staunchly local and work hard on our relationships with clients. We don’t use an 0800 number nor an automatic phone system– you call our local phone number and talk to us,” he said.
The judges noted that the strengths of the Clarke’s business as strong customer relations based on personal contact and attention to detail; a comprehensive documented ‘bible’ that details the operations involved in meeting customer expectations and key technologies for tracking deliveries for franchisor, franchisees and customers.
Fastway Couriers, New Zealand’s founding courier business is celebrating 35 years and the Clarkes have been involved for 25 years, firstly as courier drivers in 1993 before purchasing the Wanganui regional franchise in 1999.
In April, the Clarkes took out the Fastway Couriers National Franchise of the Year Award and Regional Franchise Business Development Award at the company’s 35th birthday celebrations.
Fastway New Zealand chief executive Scott Jenyns said the Clarke’s win was “no surprise” as they are a top performing franchise within the business.
“They always go the extra mile. They’ve build fantastic relationships across the Wanganui region and they are also fantastic leaders within our family of franchise business owners,” Mr Jenyns said.
Fastway Wanganui has 14 team members, including the Clarkes, and is one of 17 branches around New Zealand. The company started in Napier in 1983 and has been in Whanganui since 1993.