A Family-Run Business with Global Reach
FET Logistics is a family-owned and family-run specialist logistics company based strategically near Heathrow. Our story began with Frederick Woolley, who established a service second to none in the secure logistics industry. In the early days, when tracking technology was still in its infancy, Frederick built his own bespoke system—a solution so effective that blue-chip companies were soon knocking on his door to transport their high-value goods safely throughout Europe.
In 1999, FET took a strategic turn into the pharmaceutical sector. This marked a new direction for the family business as Frederick took on a partner, Harry Hughes. Over the years, Harry has steered FET to become one of the premier pharmaceutical logistics providers in the UK.
Today, FET is truly a multi-generational enterprise, with Frederick’s two grandsons now part of the team. In 2023, we expanded our horizons by opening our offices in the Netherlands, ensuring we remain at the heart of the ever-changing pharmaceutical landscape.
Our Journey: A Timeline of Innovation
- 1984: The Foundation – Frederick Woolley forms FET as a bespoke, secure logistics service.
- 1988: Initial Pharma Success – FET completes its first pharmaceutical shipments to Eastern Europe for DHL and GSK.
- 1996: Tracking Pioneers – Deployment of the first satellite tracking system, providing unprecedented transparency.
- 1997: The TAPA Alliance – Harry Hughes joins FET, and the company joins TAPA EMEA to lead the fight against cargo crime.
- 1999: Pharmaceutical Pivot – The company officially enters the pharmaceutical market, specialising in temperature-sensitive transport.
- 2003: Cold Chain Focus – Refrigerated vehicles become the primary fleet focus.
- 2009: Modern Standards – FET Logistics Ltd is formally established; we achieve ISO 9001 certification and introduce secondary temperature trackers.
- 2019: TAPA TSR Certified – We achieve the gold standard for secure road transportation.
- 2021: Fleet Modernisation – Artic trucks and 26-tonne rollerbed vehicles are added to handle high-volume demand.
- 2023: European Expansion – FET opens its Netherlands office, bridging the UK-EU logistics gap.
Our Mission: Secure, Time-Critical Specialist
Our focus is absolute: Specialised Pharmaceutical and Clinical Trial Logistics. We work strictly to Good Distribution Practice (GDP) regulations to ensure the characteristics of every medicinal product remain unchanged while in our care.
The FET Service Level
We provide an incomparable level of service that goes beyond customer expectations. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through:
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: We invest in the highest quality temperature-controlled transport, built to our unique specifications with advanced refrigeration and audible/visual alarms.
- Real-Time Audit Trails: Satellite-linked tracking provides a complete temperature and position audit from collection to delivery—available to clients historically or in real-time.
- Skilled Workforce: Our team is continuously trained to exceed industry standards, ensuring your healthcare products arrive intact and safe.
Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance
Our reputation as a specialist clinical logistics provider is built on the skills of our employees and the rigorous standards we set across the business. Quality assurance and the principles of best practice are central to everything we do.
Uncompromised Standards
Our primary objective is to ensure every shipment is delivered on time, every time, in perfect condition. We have implemented robust systems that are continually improved to meet the evolving needs of our clients.
- Expert Training: All employees are trained in the principles of GDP, adhering to strictly defined operating procedures.
- Bespoke Operational Plans: We can readily incorporate any client-specific processes into individually tailored operational plans.
Logistics Quality Management
Our Quality Management System (QMS) goes beyond the typical. Developed by Harry Hughes, it integrates the elements of ISO 9001:2015 while fully covering the requirements of GDP and TAPA security.
Innovation & Risk Mitigation
Our QMS prioritises innovation and continual improvement to minimise risk. Comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) include:
- CAPA Programme: Robust Corrective and Preventive Actions.
- Change Control: Rigorous management of process updates.
- Risk Management: Proactive identification of potential supply chain threats.
We are proud to have passed every audit to date, a testament to our commitment to delivering unsurpassed peace of mind and consistency. We remain open to audit at any time, confident in our ability to optimise the supply chain for our customers.
