An Accrington coach hire comparison company has been recognised at the Chamber Business Awards as the firm celebrates a yearly revenue of £5.1 million.
Coach Hire Comparison (CHC) - a company which provides hassle-free online transport quotes, won in the Business Improvement through Technology category in the same year it saw its revenue soar from £2.7m to £5.1m.
The award, which recognises businesses that have successfully integrated technology in order to boost performance and efficiencies, is testament to CHC's recent achievements, marked by an enhanced marketing campaign, new website features, and sustained growth.
Incorporated in 2010, Coach Hire Comparison has been in development over the past 13 years to become the leader in the market when it comes to generating direct contact leads for coach hire and has consistently delivered a convenient platform for users to obtain quotes from independent minibus and coach companies.
It is an online web portal that allows customers to generate quotes for journeys online, using a network of local and national coach operators, which automates much of the administrative process involved in order to provide the best quote as quickly as possible.
Boasting more than 12,000 monthly visitors, the platform caters to a diverse range of events, from school trips to stag parties, connecting customers with 300 minibus and coach operators through purpose-built technology.
The company's revenue soared from £2.7 million in 2021/22 to an impressive £5.1 million in 2022/23, underscoring the success of its strategic initiatives.
In a significant development, CHC was acquired by CMAC Group in July 2023, a move aimed at integrating CHC into CMAC's business operations for accelerated growth in the UK and support for international expansion plans.
This strategic partnership positions CHC to achieve a targeted turnover of £30 million over the next three to five years.
Looking ahead, CHC outlines key objectives for the next three years, including increasing supply chain, improving conversion rates, and launching a ‘buy it now’ offering.
These initiatives align with CHC's commitment to providing reliable coach hire services and solidifying its market presence.
James and Laura Stokes, founders of CHC, said: “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
"We are committed to leveraging technology to enhance the customer and supplier journey, and this recognition motivates us to continue innovating and delivering value."
Since its inception, CHC has embraced technology to automate processes, and its commitment to technology is evident in its continuous investment in allowing for a streamlined quote-to-booking process that now takes only a couple of minutes.
More than 80 per cent of CHC's supply chain comprises small businesses, benefiting from the platform's optimization for key search engine keywords, levelling the playing field and supporting local economies.
CHC's success story includes weathering the challenges posed by the pandemic, with enquiry levels reaching unprecedented heights of more than 102,000 per annum, generating in excess of £5 million for the CHC supply chain.
With a robust five-year business plan in place, CHC aims to generate £30 million in revenue by expanding its education and tours portfolio while retaining its B2C appeal.
As CHC looks forward to a future of growth and innovation, the Business Improvement through Technology award stands as a testament to its commitment to excellence in the coach travel industry.
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