Two brothers from a Garston council estate have built one of the UK's fastest-growing logistics companies from the ground up in just five years. Their journey, which began after a serious motorcycle accident provided the initial investment, has now led to an invitation to represent their industry at the House of Lords.
Bernie and Wayne Dullaghan, founders of MCF, have expanded their third-party logistics firm from a single warehouse to three major sites. The company now services major national retailers, marking a significant achievement for the Liverpool entrepreneurs.
Key Takeaways
- Brothers Bernie and Wayne Dullaghan founded logistics firm MCF five years ago.
- The business was started using compensation money from Bernie's serious motorcycle accident.
- MCF has grown to three warehouse sites and works with major retailers like The Range.
- The brothers have been invited to a prestigious event at the House of Lords to represent the logistics sector.
- The company overcame a major setback when its largest client, Wilko, went into administration.
From Humble Beginnings to National Recognition
The story of MCF is one of resilience and ambition. Founded just five years ago, the company has experienced rapid growth in a competitive industry. Brothers Bernie, 49, and Wayne, 45, decided to pool their resources and experience to launch their own venture, leaving behind stable employment for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship.
Their success has not gone unnoticed. The Dullaghans were recently selected as one of only 40 standout organisations from the UK warehousing and logistics sector to attend a high-profile networking event at the House of Lords. This invitation serves as national recognition of their achievements and business acumen.
"Five years ago, me and my brother left full-time employment to set up our own third-party logistics company," said Bernie Dullaghan. "To be asked to represent the industry in the House of Lords - two lads from humble beginnings - is a bit of a feather in our bow. They’re not circles that local lads from Liverpool would normally mix in.”
This milestone highlights their journey from a council estate in Garston to the corridors of power in Westminster, a testament to their hard work and strategic vision.
A Leap of Faith Funded by Adversity
Before launching MCF, the brothers had distinctly different career paths. Wayne, 45, already had a background in the logistics industry, providing essential operational knowledge. Bernie, however, came from a completely different sector, having worked as a regional manager for Mecca Bingo and Buzz Bingo.
Bernie's entry into the world of warehousing was sudden and unplanned. He had never worked in a warehouse environment until they started their own company. The catalyst for this dramatic career change was a life-altering event.
The Turning Point
A serious motorcycle accident nearly cost Bernie his life. The compensation he received from the incident became the crucial seed money that allowed him and Wayne to start MCF. This turned a personal tragedy into a foundational moment for their business, enabling them to take the financial risk required to launch the company.
"I nearly lost my life getting knocked off a motorbike and the compensation from that went into the business," Bernie explained. "That was a tragic part of my life but the money from that meant we were able to take that leap of faith.”
This initial investment was pivotal. It allowed them to secure their first warehouse and begin building a client base, transforming a moment of adversity into an opportunity for growth and success.
Navigating Business Challenges
The path to success for MCF has not been without significant obstacles. The company has earned five major industry awards in the last three years, including three in the current year alone, and is shortlisted for two more. However, this success was tested by a major crisis that threatened the company's survival.
About two years ago, MCF faced its most significant challenge when its largest customer, the national retailer Wilko, went into administration. The collapse of Wilko had an immediate and severe impact on MCF's operations.
The Wilko Collapse Impact
- Client Dependency: Wilko was MCF's biggest customer at the time.
- Warehouse Space: The administration left half of MCF's main warehouse empty overnight.
- Job Losses: The company was forced to make 17 employees redundant.
"That was the most challenging time,” Bernie admitted. The sudden loss of their primary revenue stream required the brothers to act quickly and decisively to stabilize the business. They focused on diversifying their client portfolio and securing new contracts to fill the empty warehouse space.
Rebuilding and Expanding
The Dullaghan brothers successfully navigated the crisis by rebuilding their customer base and strategically expanding their operations. They secured new partnerships with prominent retailers, including The Range and luxury pram manufacturer Silver Cross. This diversification made their business model more resilient.
Instead of scaling back, they invested in growth, eventually expanding from their initial single warehouse to three separate sites. This expansion not only recovered the lost business but positioned MCF for even greater long-term success, demonstrating their ability to overcome severe market shocks.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Having built a nationally recognised company from scratch, Bernie and Wayne hope their story can serve as an inspiration for others from similar backgrounds. They are proud of their Garston roots and want to show that ambition and hard work can overcome challenging circumstances.
"Where we grew up, there was quite a lot of crime and negative influences all around you," Bernie reflected. He emphasized the importance of self-belief and having a clear goal, regardless of one's starting point in life.
"But if you’ve got a vision, a dream and you believe in yourself, you can make things happen.”
Their journey from a local council estate to being recognised as industry leaders is a powerful message. It underscores the potential for entrepreneurship to create opportunities and change lives, not just for the business owners but for the community through job creation and economic contribution.
As they prepare for their visit to the House of Lords, the brothers stand as examples of what can be achieved through perseverance, strategic risk-taking, and the ability to turn personal and professional challenges into stepping stones for success.