Fictitious Case Study

Mars Logistics is a family-run company based in Movington, England. With business of over 5 years, the company operates regionally with conventional and abnormal load capabilities. It has a fleet of over 30 vehicles. The company specialises in the movement of valuable high-end electronics and automobile parts in secured vehicles.

Following a period of rapid expansion, Mars Logistics now has three regional bases. Two of these locations were the previous home to two smaller companies that Mars Logistics acquired in the last 3 years. The whole company has just over 100 employees, with about 20 of these having office roles across the three bases. Staff turnover is high and there is a little synergy between the three bases with each traditionally using their own storage and logistics-mapping software. Each base has its own storage facilities, allowing high-value goods to be stored for either short or long periods of time. Recruitment practices are basic, with no formal vetting of new recruits or training beyond direct instructions concerning the vehicles. Drivers are supplied with company mobile phones; the company policy is that drivers shouldn’t access social media on the company phones and shouldn’t use their own phones for work.

Investment in IT has traditionally been outcompeted by investment in vehicles. Furthermore, there is recognition that the company has a lack of specialist skills in IT, networking and data security, with these responsibilities having fallen to one of the director’s son as he ‘likes computers’. However, he has no formal qualifications and has admitted to staff that he feels a bit left behind, particularly on cyber security issues, despite having completed a few cyber-security related courses.