Ten years in, Sheffield-based International Freight Solutions is proving that in a complex, fast-moving global market, clear advice, strong relationships and a steady hand still count for everything.
For a business built on movement, International Freight Solutions has taken a measured approach to growth. Ten years on from its launch in 2016, the Sheffield-headquartered freight forwarder has expanded steadily, building a five-star reputation on clarity, responsiveness and a distinctly personal way of working.
Managing director Paul Johnson traces the origins of IFS back further than the official start date. “I’ve been involved in the freight and logistics industry going right back to the mid-90s,” he tells unLTD. "While building a UK-based courier company focused on domestic shipments, we increasingly received requests from customers for international delivery services as well."
What began as an add-on quickly became something more substantial. “It kind of landed on my shoulders to provide that service. I didn’t really know too much about it to begin with, but the more I got into it, the more interested I was – and I found that I absolutely loved it.”
The decision to launch IFS as an independent business followed naturally. Free from the constraints of a larger operation, the company was able to take a broad, open approach from the outset. “We didn’t focus on any particular area or lane, or mode of transport,” Paul explains. “We looked at every enquiry that came in just to get us up and running – and that’s still what we do today. We’re pretty much an all-rounder.”
Flexibility remains central to the offer. IFS operates across air, sea and road freight, supporting businesses with both imports and exports. The technical side of freight forwarding can be complex, but the company’s role is to make the process as stress-free as possible for our clients
“As a freight forwarder, we’re like a middleman – an agent, broker, forwarder, however you want to call it,” says Paul. “Basically, we’re here to help businesses arrange imports and exports in the best possible way.”
For larger organisations with in-house logistics teams, that process is often handled internally. IFS tends to work with businesses that do not have that resource. “The small and medium-sized companies that don’t have that expertise are the ones that come to us and say, we’ve got these goods to ship, we don’t really know where to start,” he says.
From there, the work becomes highly specific. “Every shipment is different. It’s about listening to the client’s requirements and coming up with the best solution to get the goods moved.”
Over the past decade, that approach has supported consistent growth. The business has expanded year on year, adding staff and capacity as demand has increased. Five years ago, IFS moved into its Ecclesfield headquarters, and in 2024 opened a second office in Bradford – a move that extends its reach while keeping its Yorkshire base intact.
“It’s been steady, managed growth,” Paul says. “We’ve now got a team of five in Ecclesfield, and a similar setup in Bradford. It’s working very well.”
Our team blends both experience and fresh perspective, with two of our consultants bringing over 90 years of combined industry expertise. At the same time, our youngest team member joined with no prior exposure to freight forwarding and, within just a few months, was confidently liaising with agents and carriers across the globe.
The past ten years have also brought disruption. Covid-19 and Brexit, arriving within months of each other, reshaped the logistics landscape. For IFS, the impact was less about stopping work and more about adapting to new conditions.
“Fortunately, Covid didn’t impact us too much because goods still had to be moved,” Paul explains. “But Brexit had a massive effect on the service we offered.”
Namely, the introduction of new customs procedures created immediate challenges. “Prior to Brexit, moving goods between the UK and Europe was just like moving them within the UK – there were no restrictions,” he says. “As soon as that changed, a lot of our customers didn’t have a clue what to do. It was a big learning curve for us as well.”
That period pushed the business into a more advisory role. “Once we got our heads around it, we had clients coming to us asking for help. We were able to arrange for goods to be cleared through customs and keep them moving,” he says. “In the end, it did benefit us.”
That shift towards consultancy has become a defining part of the offer. Freight forwarding is no longer just about booking shipments – it involves navigating regulation, managing risk and responding to global events.
Current tensions in the Middle East, for example, are already affecting global shipping routes, with delays, diversions and rising costs feeding into day-to-day operations. For IFS, the focus remains on practical solutions – finding alternative routes, managing expectations and keeping clients informed.
Communication runs through all of it. “We’ve got to be proactive,” Paul says. “If there are any issues, we need to be on top of it and informing the client. Otherwise you’re reacting, and the client is chasing you asking what’s happening with their goods. We ensure that it doesn’t get to that.”
It is a simple principle, but one that is often overlooked in a sector that can feel transactional. IFS leans into the opposite approach, building relationships through regular contact and straightforward updates.
“We’re a small team, but we’ve got a lot of experience,” Paul says. “We get asked all sorts of questions every day, and if we don’t know something, we work it out. It’s a very personal service.”
The day-to-day reflects that variety. One job might involve a small, time-critical shipment heading to the US, while another could be a full container load arriving from Asia. “No two days are the same,” he says. “It could be anything from documents to full containers – plastic jerry cans, coffee machines, all sorts.”
Occasionally, the work becomes more unusual. “We’ve shipped oxygen tanks for racehorses from China to Dubai,” Paul notes. “And full-scale model Formula One cars for McLaren.”
Whatever the cargo, the process remains the same: understand the requirement, plan the route and see it through to delivery. “When you follow a job all the way through and can tell the client their goods have arrived safely, that’s the best part,” he says.
As IFS approaches its tenth anniversary in June, there is no sense of changing direction. The focus is on continuing the same steady progression, supported by new investment in marketing and business development.
“We’re looking to continue that growth and development,” Paul says. “We’re working with other local businesses to help us on that journey.”
For companies considering international trade, his advice is straightforward. “It’s not as frightening as it might seem,” he says. “There’s a lot of help out there, and as a freight forwarder, we’re here to guide businesses through the whole process, door to door.”
To get a quote for your business, get an online quote at intfreight.co.uk, call (01709) 610 000 or email Info@intfreight.co.uk.
