In it for the long haul '“ '˜Business Boost' helps Miller Transport

Claudy hauliers DA Miller & Sons Transport have prepared themselves for a haulage contract that has yielded four new jobs with the support of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Business Boost programme.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th May 2018, 17:18 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 05:14 BST
Mr. Drew Miller, Managing Director, DA Miller & Sons, Transport Ltd., Claudy pictured welcoming the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle to the companyâ¬"s premises on Friday morning last. Included from left are Gillian McKee, Administrator, Clive Crawford, Transport Manager, Glen Miller, Director, Ryan Miller, Director, Simon Devlin, Managing Director, Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd. and Louise Breslin, Business Manager, DCSDC.Mr. Drew Miller, Managing Director, DA Miller & Sons, Transport Ltd., Claudy pictured welcoming the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle to the companyâ¬"s premises on Friday morning last. Included from left are Gillian McKee, Administrator, Clive Crawford, Transport Manager, Glen Miller, Director, Ryan Miller, Director, Simon Devlin, Managing Director, Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd. and Louise Breslin, Business Manager, DCSDC.
Mr. Drew Miller, Managing Director, DA Miller & Sons, Transport Ltd., Claudy pictured welcoming the Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor John Boyle to the companyâ¬"s premises on Friday morning last. Included from left are Gillian McKee, Administrator, Clive Crawford, Transport Manager, Glen Miller, Director, Ryan Miller, Director, Simon Devlin, Managing Director, Full Circle Management Solutions Ltd. and Louise Breslin, Business Manager, DCSDC.

Led by Council, the Business Boost programme is funded by Invest Northern Ireland and the European Regional Development Fund under the EU Investment for Growth and Jobs Programme (2014-2020), the programme offers specially tailored support for micro and small enterprises right across the Council area.

Miller Transport is a family run business and have been involved in the haulage industry since 2004, specialising in recycling transport and bulk transport since 2009.

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Initially starting with just one vehicle transporting municipal waste to landfill, the company has grown steadily and now specialises in large volume bulk haulage using walking floor trailers ideal for the recycling industry.

Their growth necessitated a review of all operations and Company Director, Glen Miller, said they would not be in a position to take on their latest contract without the mentorship and guidance provided by the business boost programme.

“Working closely with our management team, our Business Boost mentor Gary Alexander has assisted us as we put in place the necessary operations and procedures for a newly awarded contract that has resulted in the creation of four new positions with our business,” he explained.

“Following on from that, Gary will help us look at the overall strategic direction and marketing of our business across a number of platforms including website and social media as we continue to grow through contracts, both locally and in GB.”

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One of the main aims of Miller Transport’s service is to be as friendly and efficient as possible from initial enquiry through to payment receipt.

They set themselves high standards of responding to all enquiries within 24 hours, providing all transaction paperwork as quickly as possible and to be as flexible and adaptable as possible.

Glen admitted that the opportunity to take a step back and analyse the business with the help of by an outside expert was useful and he had no hesitation in recommending the Business Boost programme to other small businesses in the Council area.

“As a small enterprise we naturally are focused on the day to day running of the business so it is refreshing to have the opportunity to avail of the services of a business mentor who can bring an outside perspective and work alongside us in this exciting stage of growth for our business,” he said.

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“I can highly recommend this business programme as a valuable support tool for any local business looking to grow and develop.”

Business Boost is an innovative project aimed at assisting Derry and Strabane District Council to provide support for the creation of new sustainable jobs in the area and work to strengthen the local business base by assisting businesses to become more competitive in indigenous and export markets.

The programme aims to provide a range of services that will provide accessible, needs-driven business support for businesses and work to promote business growth and innovation, which have been identified as a key action within the Council’s Integrated Economic Development Strategy and the Strategic Growth Plan.

Among the key delivery actions of the Business Boost programme is to create 400 jobs, recruit up to 600 businesses to participate in the programme and deliver over 1300 days of mentoring and 20 workshops.

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This programme also allows businesses to assess where their business is now and focus on future development and growth.

Council’s Business team is committed to supporting those businesses not fulfilling criteria for Business Boost by proactively identify relevant offerings provided through one or more of the Council’s partners and/or other relevant support agencies. For more information on the Business Boost programme, visit http://www.derrystrabane.com/businessboost

Related topics:Strabane District CouncilDerry City