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Strong & Herd, Import/Export Services was formed in February 1995 by Sandra Strong and Brian Herd who were formerly colleagues in the Corporate HQ of Ferranti International the world renowned electronics and defence group Ferranti were forced into receivership in late 1993 after being defrauded by their American partners International Signal and Control.

With the benefit of a joint 25 years experience gained within the Ferranti group the Strong and Herd partnership which began with the support and encouragement of newly formed former Ferranti companies in 1995 has gone from strength to strength.

The Partnership began by providing shipping office outsource services and support to members of the former Ferranti Group but soon progressed to making the service available to companies who lack such resources and expertise 'in-house'. This day-to-day practical involvement in the ever-changing world of import and export has enabled Strong & Herd to write and present training courses that are topical and relevant to today's international trade scene. The Strong & Herd training course is now recognised by a large number of UK companies as a reliable provider of benefit to their import and export staffs, the courses are, in fact, often used as part of the induction training for new members of staff.

Many companies have sent delegates to Strong & Herd import and export training courses since they began. Response to these courses has been truly excellent, this is borne out by the delegates' evaluation reports; the degree of enthusiasm is shown across the board from the SME 's to the Plc's.

Here are just some of the household names whose delegates have attended S&H courses:

BAe Systems John Lewis Partnership Paul Smith Ltd
Thales Underwater Systems Corus Steel BP Castrol
Cogent (EADS) Proctor & Gamble Matalan plc
Honeywell Group Astra Zeneca (ex ICI) Sainsburys
Uniqema Thales Geosolutions Dowty Propellors
Heinz Laura Ashley Caterpillar
  Coty Ultra Group  
  Ultra Group  
  Delphi Automotive  
  Newage  

Strong & Herd have enhanced their knowledge by dealing with hundreds of helpline questions for a major export/import information service. A growing side to the business is in organising training presentations throughout the UK and EC on an 'in house' basis at client locations; these presentations, based on the public courses, are tailored to client requirements and receive a very high 'appreciation level'. As an indication that these remarks are not self appraisal, it is interesting to note that Croner Training, CSL Achilles, BTTG (the textile trade association), Strategem, various Business Links and formerly the British Importers' Association have all assessed import and export training providers and given their vote to Strong & Herd.

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Who formed the Strong & Herd Partnership?

Sandra Strong M.I.Ex (Grad)

Sandra is a graduate member of the Institute of Export and a member of the International Chamber of Commerce. She has 20 years experience in international trade from desk-level to becoming the corporate shipping manager for the Ferranti International Group until its break-up in 1993. Sandra continues to have hands-on involvement in export and import on a daily basis for client companies; who include: Thales Underwater Systems, Ferranti Technologies Ltd, Intervoice Ltd, Ultra Electronics(Airport Systems). In addition she assists companies in operating compliant Customs procedures such as IPR, OPR, End-Use, PCC (formerly DODIM ), Intrastat reporting systems and Letter of Credit procedures. She presents practical in-company and public workshops (throughout the EU) that reflect the very latest in export and import techniques with useful tips on how to put theory into practice. Most recently she has organised "spotlight" presentations (with HM Customs speakers) focussing on current issues and changes affecting companies involved in international trade.

Sandra Strong writes on various trade topics including tariff classification, Incoterms, letters of credit and duty relief procedures and is an adviser for Croner on the country pages in their Reference Book for Exporters. She is the co-author of the "Importers' Handbook" and recently revised Frank Dow's "Understanding Documentary Bills and Credits" for Croner Publications.

Brian Herd M.I.Ex, M.Inst.D

Brian is a member of the Institute of Export, Institute of Directors and the International Chamber of Commerce. He has been involved in most corporate areas related to international trade including purchasing and materials management before becoming the Export Control Manager for the Ferranti International Group based in the Legal Department at their corporate head office.

Brian formed the Strong & Herd partnership with Sandra Strong in 1995 and continues to be actively involved in purchasing techniques, contract and legal aspects, export control decisions and the physical movement of goods for client companies (see Sandra's CV above). Brian's presentations include Export Control Compliance, US Re-export Regulations, International Purchasing Skills, Incoterms and other more basic courses on export procedures and freight forwarding issues. Brian has recently been named by the Defence Manufacturers Association (DMA) as one of the three trainers in the UK identified by them as competent to present training on the new Export Control Act (coming into force 1.5.04).

Brian also writes for such publications as Croner and "International Trade Today" on a variety of topics and is actively involved as a consultant on the Croner and HSBC international trade help-lines. He is also the co-author of the "Importers' Handbook" and the author of "Alex's Diary" a fictional diary of a shipping administrator which has appeared in the "International Trade Today" magazine since its inception in November 2000.

Anthony Griffiths M.I.Ex

Anthony is a member of the Institute of Export, affiliated to the Institute of Logistics & Transport and 6Sigma certified. He has 27 years of experience in International Shipping + Logistics.

Anthony was also a member of the "now famous" Ferranti International Group shipping office with Sandra and Brian and the relationship has stood the test of time. Anthony has held numerous positions including Domestic + International Transport Management, Warehouse Management and most recently European Leader for the physical logistics arm of Garrett, a wholly owned subsidiary of global giant Honeywell Inc.

Anthony has experience of both sides of Customer/Freight Forwarder relationships and in numerous industry fields such as Electronics, Chemicals, Automotive, Retail and Textiles.

Anthony has undertaken and managed numerous large projects, including 3PL, 4PL, Low Cost Sourcing, Plant closure/relocation to Eastern Europe, Lean Manufacturing (physical) and Regionalisation.

Anthony is fully conversant with IPR, OPR, Letters of Credit, Incoterms, Tariff classification, Intrastat and Customs audits, amongst a wide range of other useful skills and knowledge.

Anthony is a welcome addition to the partnership and should both strengthen existing coverage, whilst opening new areas of opportunity.

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The Partnership S&H


Here you have an almost unique spread of international trade and shipping experience with an invaluable foundation gained with Ferranti and later expanded and developed throughout the UK export and import fraternity of companies large and small. This solid basis explains why delegates to S&H courses are often heard to say: "they certainly know what they are talking about".

The people at S&H take pride in providing the best training products in the most professional way whether (as has been the case) to one person in a warehouse environment or to an audience of 100+ at the Institution of Directors (defence contractors) or at Intrade/ itf 2000 at Olympia. The website - www.strongandherd.co.uk - gives further details of training courses and other S&H products. We guarantee that you will get a friendly and helpful response from all in the S&H Partnership.

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Location


Strong & Herd
Atlas House,
Atlas Business Centre,
Simonsway,
Manchester, M22 5PP
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Contact

Strong & Herd
Atlas House,
Atlas Business Centre,
Simonsway,
Manchester, M22 5PP

T: 0161 499 7000
F: 0161 499 7100
info@strongandherd.co.uk
www.strongandherd.co.uk