Year Could be Make or Break for SMEs says Shiply

March 7, 2012 - PRLog -- The online marketplace, founded in 2008 allows users to place delivery requests online for transport companies making similar journeys to bid on as backloads/return loads helping delivery firms fill up spare capacity.  

Businesses are facing many of the issues that stunted growth last year. Unemployment is at an all-time high and small businesses are facing increased energy and fuel costs, an outlay that impacts heavily on transport companies.

Shiply is already helping delivery companies find more work. The site has been widely used by companies in the transport industry, from individual man with a van firms to big car transport and house removal firms.

SMEs are potentially facing a tough year, according to the Federation of Small Businesses. A lack of confidence, slow growth and rising overheads all attributed to small businesses problems last year and will continue to be an issue into 2012.

There are still concerns that smaller firms are lacking a voice in parliament too. A model like the Small Business Administration in America, it is argued, would help to make sure that the opinions of SME aren’t drowned out by competing interests.

Events in the UK could pose great opportunities for smaller enterprises however; the expected growth of tourism from both the London Olympics and Jubilee celebrations will provide thousands of potential new customers for local businesses.

Export too will be a key area for growth for SMEs, Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk predicted that international trade will be vital for economic recovery and growth. The Get Britain Trading campaign, which launched last month, is also lobbying to make growth for small business easier and more profitable.

Robert Matthams, managing director of Shiply, gave his outlook for small business in 2012.

“The coming year could be tremendously influential for start- ups and existing small business; the chances of a double dip recession have reduced and other initiatives could make it a telling year for the future of many firms.

Subsidies such as those from the upcoming Green Deal will help firms reduce their costs and funding from schemes like UK Export Finance should help to aid the expansion and growth of smaller companies.

As for Shiply, we hope to keep aiding small businesses in their transportation endeavours, be that finding extra deliveries for couriers or helping traders find exporters for their products.”

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About Shiply
Founded in 2008, Shiply matches people needing to move goods with transport companies going there anyway. Over 25% of lorries run completely empty of cargo and over 50% run only part-full. By enabling consumers and businesses to make use of this spare capacity, Shiply.com dramatically cuts down on CO2 emissions, increases the profitability of transport companies and saves the consumer up to 75%.