UK 
Staff Spotlight: Julie Gray, Technical Sales Team Supervisor
Every quote sent, order packed, and shipment dispatched is supported by the people behind the scenes who make it all happen. As the company celebrates its 45th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to recognise the team whose experience and dedication have helped shape the business over the years. It’s an opportunity to put faces to the names (albeit AI) and celebrate the people who continue to play an important role in the company’s success.
Julie when did you join the company?
20 years ago on June 12th 2006.
Did you know anything about dangerous goods before you started?
No not really, my background was working for a letterbox marketing company, the company soon put me on training courses to make me qualified in dangerous goods transport regulations.
What was the first order you quoted for?
My first quote was for 50 x 4DV plywood boxes, I remember it well and for nostalgic reasons I still have a copy of the order on file.
What’s the most common question customers ask?
There are 2 main questions I get asked a lot. People who are new to the industry tend to ask, ‘Can I have a UN box?’. The other question I get asked most is ‘How quick can I get it?’.
What’s a packaging mistake you hear of all the time?
People unaware that 4G boxes go with specific inner types, not realising that you can’t put your own choice of inners to go in 4G boxes.
Most unusual thing someone has tried to ship?
I once had a discussion about transporting the Olympic torch! I also dealt with an enquiry about how to transport an animal’s head with suspected rabies!
What technology has changed most in your job role?
Elimination of faxed correspondence which of course is now all done via email. The office used to have to fax the warehouse all the daily orders.
Postal Invoices; invoices used to be on carbon copy paper, we kept a copy and a copy was sent in the post to the customer for payment. Obviously, technology has moved on with credit card payments and electronic invoicing.
What’s one thing customers should always double-check before shipping?
Even when the packing instruction permits a specific packaging type, always check the packaging of choice is compatible with the substance to be shipped.
Quick Fire Round
Tea or Coffee?
Both, coffee AM, tea PM
Early start or late finish?
Early start
DG regulations, spreadsheet or tape gun?
Spreadsheet, I love spreadsheets!
Best thing about Fridays?
The unknown, it’s either extremely busy with last minute urgent orders or quiet with people taking the day off.
One sentence to describe Air Sea Containers?
Passionate about what we do.
