About Us :: Case studies :: Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
"Everyone in the firm knows Radio Taxis, we've got a link on our intranet so they can see the kind of people we are working with. I think it's fair to say that Radio Taxis are the wheels of our firm, they help to keep the business going. Freshfields has high expectations and Radio Taxis definitely live up to them".
John Hunt, Reprographics and Logistics Manager, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is one of the world's leading international law firms. With 2,400 (amended) lawyers in 27 offices around the globe, Freshfields offers a comprehensive legal service for multinational corporations, financial institutions and governments.
Almost 900 lawyers work in Freshfields' offices around The City of London. Specialist pool resources across multidisciplinary teams to meet the demands of the most complex transactions.
Business Issues
Work never stops at Freshfields. The firm is committed to meeting the needs of clients at any time of day or night. Doing so requires a comprehensive range of support services capable of responding easily and effectively to the versatile demands of a fast-moving environment.
Fluid movement of people to meetings, airports or social engagements is a business necessity. Time is a valuable commodity and ground transportation arrangements must run to schedule. Freshfields' reputation for professionalism, reliability and attention to detail is second to none. The requirement for business partners is to reflect the same levels of knowledge, experience and dedication.
Radio Taxis Cab Services
Radio Taxis have provided black cabs across London and The Square Mile for over half a century. The company can now call upon the services of over 2,500 licensed vehicles serving in excess of 6,000 customer accounts.
Supported by 200 full-time members of staff and underpinned by leading edge technology, Radio Taxis provides safe passage for public bodies, personal clients and major corporations.
Sophisticated software platforms are key to first-class levels of performance. Radio Taxis' Pathfinder system logs every call on to an automated booking system. Utilising GPRS (Global Positioning) technology, Pathfinder allocates each fare to the nearest vehicle. If the taxi is unable to arrive within three minutes, the fare is transferred onto a secondary system and reallocated to the driver who is nearest.
Radio Taxis supplies vehicles for individual as well as corporate use. However, management information is particularly critical for business clients. Data can be separated by cost centre, project or employee while the provision of itemised bills enables companies to identify staff booking cars, length of journeys and average waiting times. All clients have the option of using electronic methods of payment.
Working Together
Freshfields and Radio Taxis have been working in tandem for over a decade. An average of 220 cabs each day transport staff to client meetings, train stations and to or from home.
Freshfields has created an in-house booking desk that is unique among blue-chip organisations. Liberating lawyers to focus on meeting the needs of their clients, Freshfields 12-strong call centre is charged with sole responsibility for transport arrangements.
All members of staff have a single number that they can call in order to speak to a member of the ground transportation team. Dedicated specialists provide transport advice, make bookings online and confirm arrangements. The booking desk maintains direct contact with Radio Taxis, monitoring the location of cabs and safeguarding the movement of people.
Radio Taxis has set the environmental standard for the transport industry by becoming the world's first Carbon Neutral taxi organisation. At the start of 2007, Freshfields announced their own intention to become Carbon Neutral. Radio Taxis has worked alongside Radio Taxis towards the successful accomplishment of that goal.
The relationship between Freshfields and Radio Taxis is characterised by openness and mutual respect. Quarterly meetings are held in a friendly atmosphere that nurtures the development of fresh ideas, process improvements and service innovation.
Testimonial
"Freshfields are very comfortable with Radio Taxis. What we want is responsiveness and professionalism, people who tell us like it is not simply what we want to hear.
"One of the main reasons we've been together for so many years is that our teams work as a partnership. We share an intimate knowledge of each other's businesses. Should a problem arise, Radio Taxis can be relied upon to sort out the issue. They are extremely approachable and Radio Taxis' senior people have an unrivalled knowledge of the industry.
"In January 2007, Freshfields announced our intention to become Carbon Neutral. This is something that is particularly important to us and Radio Taxis have helped Freshfields considerably with our Carbon footprint.
"Everyone in the firm knows Radio Taxis, we've got a link on our intranet so they can see the kind of people we are working with. I think it's fair to say that Radio Taxis are the wheels of our firm, they help to keep the business going. Freshfields has high expectations and Radio Taxis definitely live up to them."
John Hunt, Reprographics and Logistics Manager, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer.
