512
512 is a UK-based, founder-owned freight forwarder offering multi-modal import/export services (air, sea, road, courier), same-day delivery, bonded warehousing, and in-house customs brokerage from five offices across Sheffield, Doncaster, Wakefield, Manchester, and Nottingham, serving UK businesses of all sizes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersSheffield, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What 512 does
512 (legal entity: 512 Sheffield Limited) is a UK-headquartered, privately-held freight forwarding and logistics company founded in 1988 in a portacabin at the bottom of an airport runway. Operating through a group of five wholly-owned UK limited companies (Sheffield, Doncaster, Wakefield, Manchester, Nottingham), the company provides multi-modal import and export services including air freight, ocean freight (FCL and LCL), road freight (FTL and LTL), courier services, dedicated same-day and medical deliveries (via its NOW sub-brand), warehousing and distribution from a 14,000 sq ft bonded facility (SH-I-F-T in Sheffield, up to 500 pallet positions), and in-house customs brokerage including letters of credit and HMRC-compliant document handling. Its customers are UK businesses of all sizes — manufacturers, distributors, and traders — that need cross-border and domestic freight movement with customs clearance.
The technology stack is operational rather than transformational: 512 uses the UK Customs CHIEF/CDS system for 24/7 customs entries, runs a web-based MY 512 tracking portal that doubles as a cloud digital document filing cabinet for HMRC traceability, and offers courier rate access via an external portal (app.expressfr8.net). A proprietary open marine policy insurance product and an in-house customs team with bonded warehouse capability — one of the only such facilities in Sheffield — provide modest differentiation versus generalist forwarders that outsource clearance. The company has launched a CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) compliance check tool, addressing EU regulatory complexity for exporters, and offers freight audit, documentation, and training services as adjacent revenue lines.
The business model is transaction-fee based on freight forwarding (per-shipment pricing by mode, weight, destination, and service level) supplemented by managed-services revenue from warehousing and distribution, professional services revenue from training/consulting, and a Business Development Manager who coordinates sales across all five offices. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; customers engage via direct office contact, website quote/consultation forms, WhatsApp, or self-serve portals. The company is founder-owned with no external funding, no disclosed acquisitions, and a team of approximately 24 employees, making it a small mid-market regional forwarder rather than a scaled platform. Distribution channels are predominantly direct B2B sales across the five UK offices plus limited self-serve portal access for courier and same-day bookings.
512 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- 512
- Legal name
- 512 Sheffield Limited
- Website
- https://5-1-2.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- 512 is a UK-based, founder-owned freight forwarder offering multi-modal import/export services (air, sea, road, courier), same-day delivery, bonded warehousing, and in-house customs brokerage from five offices across Sheffield, Doncaster, Wakefield, Manchester, and Nottingham, serving UK businesses of all sizes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
512 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (492110)
- SIC
- Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Air Courier Services (4513), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance) (TLACABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF) (TLACABAE)
Keywords
Where 512 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sheffield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
512 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Freight Forwarding Services: Core revenue from freight forwarding services across multiple modes: air freight, ocean freight (FCL & LCL), road freight, and courier services. Revenue is transaction-based, varying by shipment size, destination, and service level.
- Warehousing and Distribution: Storage and distribution services from 14,000 sq ft warehouse facility (SH-I-F-T) including inventory management, pick and pack fulfillment, and reverse logistics.
- Customs Brokerage: In-house customs clearance services for imports and exports, including bonded facility for movement of products in and out of bond.
- NOW Same Day Services: Dedicated same day, next day timed, and express deliveries to Europe, including urgent medical deliveries.
- Consulting and Training: Courses and consultations tailored to companies - from half day to week-long programs for new starters or knowledge gaps in freight forwarding.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Quote-based Pricing |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
512 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
512 is a UK freight forwarding company that moves goods domestically and internationally via air, ocean, road, and courier transport for businesses needing import and export services. Core offerings include multimodal freight forwarding (FCL/LCL ocean, air, FTL/LTL road, courier), customs brokerage with bonded warehouse capabilities, 14,000 sq ft warehousing and distribution at the SH-I-F-T facility, NOW same-day and dedicated delivery services, and cross-trade management. Supporting offerings include the MY 512 tracking portal, marine insurance, letters of credit, freight audits, training/consulting, and documentation services.
Product overview
512 is a freight forwarding services company offering a comprehensive suite of logistics and shipping solutions. The core product portfolio comprises eight main service lines: Air Freight Services, Ocean Freight Services, Road Freight and Handling, Courier Services, Warehousing and Distribution (operating from their 14,000 sq ft SH-I-F-T facility), Customs Brokerage, Cross Trade Management, and NOW Same Day/Dedicated Services. These core services are supported by add-on offerings including MY 512 web tracking portal for shipment visibility and document management, Marine Insurance, Letters of Credit services, Freight Audits, training Courses and Consultation, and Documentation Services. The company operates from five UK locations (Sheffield, Doncaster, Wakefield, Manchester, and Nottingham) and serves import and export needs globally.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- SH-I-F-T: Sheffield International Freight Terminal - dedicated 14,000 sq ft warehouse facility
- NOW
- MY 512
Products and services
- Air Freight Services Door-to-door air freight services to and from all global destinations with economy and premium options, handling all cargo types including hazardous and oversized shipments.
- Ocean Freight Services Full Container Load (FCL) and Less Than Container Load (LCL) ocean freight services, including consolidated and project cargo handling through global shipping networks.
- Road Freight and Handling Full Trailer Load (FTL) and Less Than Trailer Load (LTL) road freight services across UK and continental Europe with express, dedicated, and hazardous cargo capabilities.
- Courier Services Specialist courier services for small consignments with same-day, express, and standard delivery options including 24-hour track and trace.
- Warehousing and Distribution (SH-I-F-T) 14,000 sq ft warehouse facility (SH-I-F-T - Sheffield International Freight Terminal) offering inventory management, pick and pack fulfillment, and multimodal freight forwarding with up to 500 pallet positions.
- Customs Brokerage In-house customs clearance team handling import and export clearances using CDS procedures, with bonded warehouse facility for movements in and out of bond.
- Cross Trade Management International trade management enabling shipment from one third country to another without requiring cargo to enter the UK, including triangular business, back-to-back trading, and overseas storage.
- NOW (Same Day/Dedicated Services) Same day deliveries from small vans to full trailer loads, dedicated next day timed deliveries, dedicated Express deliveries to Europe, and urgent medical deliveries.
Quantifiable outcome
- 67,898,786 kg shipped
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use 512
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
512 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
512 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Global Partner Network of Independent Freight Forwarding Companiescore512 utilizes a global network of leading independent freight forwarding companies and service providers for cross trade management, enabling shipment of products from one third country to another without bringing cargo into the UK.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
512 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Davies Turner: Long-established UK freight forwarder with air, ocean, road, customs and warehousing capabilities and similar regional branch model; closely comparable in service breadth and target customer profile.
- Alloga UK: UK logistics provider offering freight forwarding, warehousing and distribution with a multi-modal service portfolio comparable to 512's core offering to similar B2B customers.
- Woodland Group: UK-headquartered multi-modal freight forwarder offering air, ocean, road, customs brokerage and warehousing to SMEs — directly comparable in customer segment, service mix and mid-market positioning to 512.
- Yusen Logistics (UK): Global forwarder with UK operations covering air/ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage and contract logistics; competes head-to-head for mid-market freight forwarding accounts in the UK.
Broad incumbents
- Kuehne+Nagel: One of the world's largest freight forwarders with substantial UK presence; overlaps with 512 across air, ocean, road and customs but operates at a vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
- CEVA Logistics: Global 3PL offering freight forwarding, contract logistics and customs services with UK operations; comparable in service mix but significantly larger and owned by CMA CGM.
- DHL Global Forwarding (UK): Global air and ocean freight forwarding division of DHL operating across all modes with customs and warehousing; competes for similar customers but at enterprise scale with broader product portfolio.
- Expeditors: US-headquartered global forwarder with UK offices covering air and ocean freight plus customs brokerage; addresses similar customer needs but as part of a worldwide network.
Regional players
- P&O Ferrymasters: European multimodal logistics provider with freight forwarding, customs and warehousing capabilities focused on UK/Europe trade lanes; comparable service model and UK customer overlap.
- Containerlift: UK forwarder specializing in container freight, warehousing and customs clearance; comparable in service breadth but focused on containerized ocean flows and a similar mid-market position.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
512 social profiles
Digital presence512 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
512 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles18 records
512 subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
512 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
512 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about 512
What does 512 do?
512 is a UK freight forwarding company that moves goods domestically and internationally via air, ocean, road, and courier transport for businesses needing import and export services. Core offerings include multimodal freight forwarding (FCL/LCL ocean, air, FTL/LTL road, courier), customs brokerage with bonded warehouse capabilities, 14,000 sq ft warehousing and distribution at the SH-I-F-T facility, NOW same-day and dedicated delivery services, and cross-trade management. Supporting offerings include the MY 512 tracking portal, marine insurance, letters of credit, freight audits, training/consulting, and documentation services.
Is 512 a public or private company?
512 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was 512 founded?
512 was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is 512 based?
512 is headquartered in Sheffield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does 512 make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Freight Forwarding Services are the primary driver. The others are warehousing and Distribution, customs Brokerage, NOW Same Day Services and consulting and Training.
Who are 512's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Davies Turner, Alloga UK, Woodland Group and Yusen Logistics (UK). Broad incumbents are Kuehne+Nagel, CEVA Logistics, DHL Global Forwarding (UK) and Expeditors. Regional players are P&O Ferrymasters and Containerlift.
Does 512 have an API?
No public API is recorded for 512.
What industry is 512 in?
512's product category is Freight Forwarding and Logistics Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLACABAG, Customs Brokerage for Ocean Shipments (Import/Export Clearance), with a secondary code of TLACABAE, Ocean Import Forwarding (Destination Handling/DO/ISF). Its NAICS code is 48851 and its SIC code is 4731.