A Colchester-based shipping firm is celebrating after the skiing star it sponsors won Olympic glory at the Vancouver games.
Reigning British Alpine Ski champion Ed Drake, who was able to compete in his first ever Olympic Games thanks to the support of Wallis Shipping, achieved 29th place in the Men’s Super Combined event thanks to a strong Slalom run.
Stuart Gregory, Managing Director of Wallis Shipping, which specialises in global freight and logistics, said: “We are extremely proud that our sponsorship has helped Ed fly the flag for Britain at the Winter Olympics. To be among the top 30 skiers in the Combined Downhill and Slalom event is a triumph and a great result for the British team.”
Ed who is 24 and ranked five in the world in his age group, was also among the top 40 skiers in the Olympic Downhill Skiing and Super G and Giant Slalom races which took place in Whistler.
He has strong family links to Colchester, his grandparents having lived in the town for many years and his father a former student at Colchester Institute. Ed said: "I've dreamed about being at the Olympic Winter Games. It’s the biggest stage there is and I’ve been able to represent my country. I am aiming to build on my success in preparation for the next games in Sochi in 2014 and to have the sponsorship of Wallis Shipping is invaluable.”
Stuart Gregory added: “Wallis Shipping has strong links with local sport and Ed is a great inspiration and role model. We help with travel and training expenses and look forward to continuing to support him as he continues to go from strength to strength.”
15th March 2010
Joint Venture for Wallis
Leading International Logistics provider, Wallis has recently joined forces with 3 other key industry players to form a global logistics provider WallaWalla Logistics.
Managing Director Stuart Gregory explains "We believe that today’s businesses are looking for a reliable service provider who can provide personalised service as well as that all important level of trust in today’s volatile marketplace. Walla Walla achieves this by offering a local contact backed up by the strength of a global organisation.Our objective is to offer Local Connections with Global Solutions "
The combined turnover of the 4 partners who also include Holship, Rotra and MTI Worldwide is US $ 250,000,000 and the group hopes to tap into increasing demand for a "hands on" personalised service, which is characterised by a flexible service menu and strong lines of communication.
Wallis Shipping helps East Anglian rowers raise over £30k for charity
A Colchester shipping company is helping three rowers fulfill their lifelong ambition to raise thousands of pounds for charity by taking part in the world’s toughest ocean rowing race - by transporting their boats to the start point in the Canary Islands.
Wallis Shipping, which specialises in global freight and logistics, was selected by Burham-on-Crouch adventurer Charlie Pitcher and Norfolk sailors James Croome and Oliver Back to transport two rowing boats worth £53,000 across the North Atlantic Ocean to La Gomera in the Canary Islands, in time for the 2009 Woodvale Atlantic Rowing Race.
The boats, which have been built and stationed at Burnham-on-Crouch, have highly sophisticated equipment on board and were purpose built between 2005 and 2009 for crossing the Atlantic. Wallis Shipping will manage the transportation of the boats from Felixstowe, where they will take just seven days for a container ship to reach the Canary Islands.
James explained: “The race starts on December 6 and is renowned as the most grueling there is. Oliver and I will be rowing in one boat and Charlie will be going solo in the other. We will be covering almost 3,000 miles spending two months on the water until we reach the English Harbour in Antigua. This is the first time we have ever taken part in a rowing race but we couldn’t resist the challenge and have spent the last two and a half years raising enough sponsorship to make our dream come true.
“It is vital that our boat arrives safely which is why we chose Wallis Shipping as they were highly recommended. We are hoping to raise over £30,000 for The Multiple Sclerosis Society, East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Addenbrooke’s Hospital by completing the race. We have received sponsorship and are also self-funding the initiative, but we are still around £10,000 short. We are appealing to any local businesses interested in supporting us to come forward and help us achieve our goal.”
Wallis Shipping has over 20 years of experience in international freight and logistics management and handles a wide range of cargo from large electrical generators and cranes through to small courier packages.
Stuart Gregory, Managing Director of Wallis Shipping said: “We are honoured to have been chosen by James, Charlie and Oliver to transport their precious cargo to the Canaries. To raise such a large amount for both local and national charities is no mean feat, and we are pleased to be involved in such an amazing journey. We will be taking great care of the boats to ensure that they are there to start the race in good time and wish all three of them the best of luck on their epic voyage.”
Wallis Shipping fly the flag for Colchester at LA shipping conference
Wallis Shipping, an established global transport and logistics service, has been flying the flag for Colchester at a major shipping conference in Los Angeles.
Representatives from Wallis, based on Severalls Business Park, travelled to the global business hub to attend the 7th annual Security Cargo Network (SCN) conference, which was themed around the current economic climate.
Since returning, Wallis has seen a record number of enquiries.
SCN is a worldwide association of independent freight forwarding companies set up to create new business opportunities and scrutinise all aspects of the safe transportation of global cargo. The organisation is represented across the globe including China, Singapore, Australia, Ukraine, Spain, Germany, Mexico, Canada, Thailand, India, Japan, Malaysia and Kuwait.
Attending the conference has already proved hugely beneficial to Wallis Shipping, which is in discussion with new clients concerning new international contracts.
Stuart Gregory, Managing Director of Wallis and President of the SCN’s management group, said: “Although there was a drop in attendees this year, the businesses that were there were the ones determined to change their business to help them ride out the recession.
“SCN is now firmly established as a powerful global voice for the freight forwarding industry and as dedicated members we believe it assists us in providing a top-quality service.
“As a result of the trip, we have seen a record number of enquiries and are excited to see what comes from them.”
Established in 1987, Wallis offers a full range of global logistics services covering all modes of transport and can handle a wide range of cargo from large electrical generators and cranes through to small courier packages.
9th May 2009
Wallis' ski protégé retains his british championship title
Colchester firm Wallis Shipping is buzzing with excitement this month as its ski protégé, Ed Drake, managed to retain his British Men’s Champion title.
Wallis Shipping, which specialise in global freight and logistics, has backed the leading British ski member for several years, investing in both his travel and training expenses.
Despite harboring a shoulder injury, Drake won two out of his four races at the Meribel ski resort in France, meaning his champion title was kept intact.
Whilst there, Ed competed in the Super Giant Slalom and Downhill races, both races that he has successfully completed before and ones that helped him reach his first championship title.
Drake, 23, improved his world ranking this year by 100 places to be placed 47th in the world. His next step is to compete in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Whistler, Canada.
Managing Director of Wallis Shipping, Stuart Gregory said: “It is great to see Ed retaining his title. We are very proud to be sponsoring one of the country’s top skiing champions and are excited to see him at the pending winter Olympics. As a company we have strong ties to local sport and take pride in sponsoring the town’s young talent.”
Wallis Shipping, which will be backing Ed’s journey all the way to Whistler in 2010, was established in 1987 and offers services including shipping, outsourcing and warehousing in addition to a division focusing on sourcing products.
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Stuart Gregory, Managing Director of Wallis Shipping, which specialises in global freight and logistics, said: “We are extremely proud that our sponsorship has helped Ed fly the flag for Britain at the Winter Olympics. To be among the top 30 skiers in the Combined Downhill and Slalom event is a triumph and a great result for the British team.” 
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