The world we live in today, everything is done at the touch of a button. If we’re not up to date with the latest technology and processes, we’re the ones who’ll let down the whole chain. As a logistics provider, you need to have the latest tech — and you’re only going to do that if you’ve got a system like Qargo that’s working for you.
— Dave Nicholl, General Operations Manager, FreightForce Distribution Ltd
About FreightForce Distribution
FreightForce Distribution is a complete 3PL provider, offering warehousing, pallet network, groupage, and full-load services across a wide range of customers and sectors. What sets them apart is their obsession over building lasting relationships with their customers.
“What we’ve tried to do over the years is to provide an end-to-end partnership rather than just a transport service. We want to provide the whole receipt of goods, warehousing, and transport.”
Since moving to Qargo, FreightForce has also grown through acquisition, onboarding a second business and working to consolidate both under a single, unified operation.
How they found Qargo
FreightForce weren’t actively hunting for a new TMS – the decision was made for them. Their previous system was reaching end of life, and all users had been notified it wouldn’t continue.
The search for a new TMS began in 2023, with Qargo recommended through a consultant in their network who had heard about it via industry events. After comparing options, Dave and his team met with Qargo and saw that Qargo TMS could do what their previous system could do – and more.
The challenge
FreightForce’s previous TMS had served them well in its time, but by the end it had stopped developing. Staff were frustrated by limitations the system couldn’t fix, even if they’d learned to live with them.
The biggest limitation was the manual nature of a lot of tasks, particularly relating to the pallet network integration. Without APIs, everything ran on CSV exports — manually created, dropped into a folder, and processed by background servers that could, and sometimes did, fail entirely.
Data wasn’t flowing in real time. Jobs came in batches, not individually. Nothing updated until the next file arrived. Before switching, these frictions were accepted as part of daily processes, but Qargo demonstrated quickly that it didn’t have to be that way.
Integrations
FreightForce now integrates Qargo with Pallex as well as Sage 50 for accounting. The pallet network integrations alone were transformative.
“Every time a job lands in the network, it comes into your system. Every time you hit a button, it goes across. You’re getting the data all the time, your numbers are changing all the time. It’s a game changer for the guys.”
They also integrated with Samsara for fleet telematics. Vehicle tracking from Samsara is now visible within Qargo, and driver ladders are in place — though Dave notes that some aspects of the integration still need configuring to match their workflow, and the team are actively working with Qargo to get it to where they want it to be.
Onboarding
The onboarding was, by Dave’s own admission, more challenging than expected.
FreightForce were among the first to onboard with Pallex, which meant going through the integration process with Qargo for the first time – which came with some teething issues.
But Dave is equally clear that those days are behind them and that something positive came out of the difficulty. A real testament to the enduring strength of the partnership.
“We were able to get the integration how we wanted it. Rather than being told ‘this is how it works’, we got to shape it. We are now in a position where we can talk to other people about it and say that it works. I think anyone signing up to Qargo with Pallex now will be fine — we’ve been through the pain for other people.”
The solution
The shift from batch CSV files to live API connections changed how the whole operation runs. Jobs from pallet networks now appear in the system as they land, and dispatchers can see what’s building up across the day – rather than waiting for a file dump.
“They can see what’s building up throughout the day. They can now route a lot quicker, a lot better.”
Rate card management was another significant change. Previously, building a rate card meant typing every line by hand – a process that could take a full week. In Qargo, rate cards can be built, updated, and amended in a fraction of the time. Customers booking jobs are priced automatically, taking pressure off the customer service team.
Templates and the copy job function have also made a practical difference. For customers who book frequently, orders that used to be typed out manually can now be duplicated in seconds.
Perhaps the biggest shift has been what the team now does with their time. Where before staff were doing the work, they can now check the work.
“The team now checks the work rather than actually doing the work themselves. And we’re seeing a lot fewer errors than we did before.”
Qargo’s continued development was also an important factor in Dave’s decision and so far he hasn’t been disappointed by the pace of progress.
“I knew when we signed up that it’s not just something you buy once. It’s always going to develop. I had to make the directors aware that this will be a work in progress. But we’re seeing that — and that’s really encouraging.”
The results
✅ Pallet network integration moved to real-time APIs — replaced chaotic manual CSV exports and eliminated a fragile background process that regularly failed
✅ Rate cards built in hours, not a week — what once required typing every line by hand can now be created, updated, and amended quickly, with automatic job pricing for customers
✅ Significantly fewer errors — the team now checks work rather than doing it manually under time pressure, catching mistakes before they become problems
✅ Faster, easier invoicing — the accounts team are processing invoices more quickly and finding the procedure easier than before
✅ Improved routing and visibility — planners see jobs building throughout the day and can route in real time, rather than reacting to batch files
✅ Successfully acquired and onboarded a second business — brought a new company onto Qargo, expanding FreightForce’s operational footprint
What’s next
The main focus for 2026 is consolidation – FreightForce are currently operating as two separate businesses and are working toward trading as one unified FreightForce by the end of the year. Getting their teams, processes, and systems aligned is the priority. Qargo offers the scalability and flexibility for multiple entities and teams to work within one system in a way that aligns with their workflows.
The team is also writing an internal training programme for drivers on how to use the Qargo app — something they wish they’d done from day one. With the ability to quickly capture and upload PODs streamlining the invoicing process, getting driver adoption right has become a business-critical project.
“As long as Qargo continues to develop as it is, it will help us with whatever we’re going to do and wherever we’re going to go. As long as we can keep developing alongside Qargo — happy days.”
Final thoughts
Dave has recommended Qargo to other operators more than a few times. His advice is always the same – start with what you need, not what looks good in a demo.
“Understand what you need it to do for you first. Make sure it does that. And then start looking at what else it can do to help you streamline your process. It does so much more than we’re probably using the system for at the minute – so much more than we probably realise it can do.”
