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Megan Dwyer joins the team

FLS are super pleased to welcome our newest addition to the FLS Team, Newport (Bassaleg) girl Megan Dwyer who has joined the FLS customer service team.

Previously working as a Merchandiser for H&M for 4 years whilst putting herself through University studying Engineering then recruited into GP Logistics as Logistics and Customs Coordinator, Megan spent 2 years specialising in UK Global Steel Imports, vehicles into the Netherlands and of course customs.

Before joining FLS Megan had spent 6 months travelling South America – working for Dogs Charity in Uruguay and Argentina and topping up her Spanish.

Now living in Cwmbran, after travel Megan loves spending time walking the dogs, two very lovely Border Collies, reading, poetry and song writing, making music, and when she can fit it in the Gym, Painting, and sculpture oh and not to mention she is now studying a further degree Environmental Science with Open University.

Ieuan Rosser CEO commented ‘We are very pleased to welcome Megan, she sits perfectly between the customer service and ever-expanding customs team, looking after our clients daily needs, she is fun and versatile bringing some unique knowledge to the company skill base,

FLS Expands the Team to Drive Business Growth

Award-Winning Freight Logistics Solutions Expands Team to Drive Business Growth

Freight Logistics Solutions (FLS) a renowned leader in digital freight forwarding and logistics industry, is proud to announce its continued commitment to business growth through the strategic expansion of its staff. FLS has recently made substantial investments in talent acquisition, welcoming five new professionals to its team over the past six weeks.

  FLS is pleased to welcome Paula Sekei as its new customs manager. With an impressive 20 years of experience, Paula will provide expert guidance and support to FLS’s new customs clients, ensuring compliance and efficiency in their operations. The customs team is growing steadily providing customers with excellent advice, support, export and import declarations and transit documents.

Megan Dwyer has joined FLS’s Head Office as a Customer Agent, bringing her expertise to the Client Services team. In this role, Megan will handle daily bookings from FLS contracted clients, supporting the allocation from a resource of over 50,000 vehicles across the UK and Europe and ensuring exceptional capacity, service, and satisfaction.

Gabi Williams, another valuable addition to the FLS team, has also taken on the role of Client Solutions Manager. Gabi will be responsible for managing the Midlands region, leveraging her extensive experience to deliver tailored solutions and exceptional service to FLS clients.

Janine Catley has been appointed as FLS’s new Client Solutions Manager, based in the FLS Derby office on St Christophers Way. With a focus on new business in the East region, Janine will play a pivotal role in forging strong client relationships and driving growth in this area.

Additionally, Victoria Thomas has re-joined FLS as a Customs Administrator, Victoria’s expertise will contribute to the seamless management of customs processes, further enhancing FLS’s service offerings.

Ieuan Rosser, CEO, expressed his enthusiasm for the new team members, stating, “I’m delighted to welcome these talented individuals to the FLS team. Their diverse backgrounds and wealth of experience significantly enhance our resources, enabling us to better serve our growing number of clients. FLS is as focussed as ever on its digitalisation process and maximising our value both through the cost of our transport provision and added services such as our Carbon saver dashboard and reporting portal. As they seamlessly integrate into our team, I am confident in their ability to make a substantial impact on our growth in new business and expanding customs work. I look forward to their continued contributions and supporting our ongoing success.”

FLS’s commitment to investing in top-tier talent reflects its dedication to providing exceptional logistics solutions and exceeding client expectations. With the addition of these skilled professionals, FLS is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory and solidify its position as a leader in the industry.

 


For media inquiries, please contact:

Paul Cleverley – Marketing & Communications Director

Freight Logistics Solutions

01633 288 400

[email protected]

New Addition to the Customs Team

FLS is delighted to introduce a new senior member of our Customs team Paula Sekei

Born and grew up in Transylvania, at 17 Paula won a Maths Scholarship to The London School of Economics, on completion, she was recruited by Dachser initially as a customs coordinator, then moving through the customs ranks across 14 years, managing accounts such is Aldi and specialising in controlled excise goods and setting up bonded warehouses completing her experience as Excise Customs Manager.

Paula then decided to go back into Education and took a second degree in Forensic Psychology in Northampton before in 2020 during Brexit after being headhunted by Ziegler to provide customs mainly for London Gateway – Paula set up an office in Newport where over just 3 years expanded her team to 11 export and 12 import agents across all international trade process.

Based in Cardiff, in her spare time Paula likes to hang out with family, walking her Cavapoo, cycling, cooking and she likes to read, do puzzles dance classes (Latin Salsa, Zuma), travel and of course flip and upcycle furniture.

Ieuan Rosser CEO commented ‘fantastic to get Paula onboard, she is a significant addition to our expanding customs team, her knowledge of excise, bonded process and complex customs is unprecedented, she speaks 4 languages on top of Romanian and is a delight to work with, welcome to the FLS family’.

New Addition to the Customs Team

The vital role vehicle capacity plays in successful logistics for manufacturers

Improve your freight transport capacity

In today’s fast-paced global marketplace, manufacturers understand the significance of seamless freight movements for their businesses. The efficient transportation of goods is paramount to meet customer demands, maintain competitive advantage, and optimise supply chain operations. A crucial element in achieving this goal lies in the capacity and availability of reliable freight vehicles provided by your freight forwarder.

Manufacturers not only rely heavily on their transport providers to react quickly to their needs and flex their transport provision and capacity in line with the peak and flow demands of their business, but they also rely on their expertise to ensure their goods are transported ergonomically, safely and promptly. The scale and quality of carriers in your transport providers portfolio is vitally important to ensure demands are met in this ever-changing economic landscape.

The embracing of the role of strong data and the usage of a digital freight forwarder could be the answer to ensuring manufactures have the freight capacity that they need for economic success.

FLS Onsite LogisticsUnlike a traditional haulier, fundamentally a digital freight forwarder uses digital technology to secure and engage the best possible transport solution on behalf of their clients, uninhibited by time and capacity restrictions, and of course any responsibilities of deploying its OWN fleet no matter their location.

An extensive resource of onboarded carriers provides capacity that allows manufacturers to ship large quantities of products, regardless of size or weight. This flexibility enables businesses to meet varying demand levels across the year and avoid bottlenecks in the supply chain.

The availability of a diverse range of freight vehicles is equally important. Shippers often deal with a wide array of cargo types, from perishable goods to delicate machinery. The digital freight forwarder with an extensive selection of vehicles can cater to diverse freight requirements. This ensures that manufacturers can ship their products with the utmost care, maintaining their quality throughout the journey.

The digital forwarding process also removes manual requirements that shippers face daily as the supply chain are engaged with technology that makes allocation, notification alerts and POD confirmations more accessible with minimal time constraints.

Moreover, the reliability of freight vehicles significantly impacts manufacturers’ operations. Delays or breakdowns can disrupt production schedules, lead to inventory shortages, and ultimately affect customer satisfaction. A digital freight forwarder firstly invests in relationships with well-maintained fleet providers, adhering to rigorous maintenance schedules and employing skilled drivers and secondly an extensive resource means where there are issues the carrier is quickly replaced with an alternative. This commitment to reliability minimises the risk of unexpected disruptions and ensures timely deliveries, enhancing manufacturers’ overall productivity and customer relationships.

The importance of good capacity and availability of freight vehicles extends beyond domestic transportation. In an increasingly interconnected world, manufacturers often engage in international trade, necessitating efficient cross-border logistics and of course customs. Digital Freight Forwarders equipped with a customs team and an international network of carriers and vehicles can seamlessly facilitate cargo movements across borders, offering manufacturers peace of mind and confidence to expand their market reach.

Since our launch, FLS has developed and deployed pioneering digital solutions for the manufacturing sector, offering customers dedicated road transport and customs combined with exceptional service and value. As part of our digitalisation journey, we have invested heavily in our business systems, increasing our network of trusted carriers, and developing the UK’s largest network of carriers, whilst also improving visibility of vehicle availability and transit options for our customers.

FLS have over 15,000 carriers running over 50,000 vehicles that are engaged with our technology informing our planners digitally when they are empty, where they are and where they want to go.

With this accessibility of vehicles and digital freight forwarding process we are now able guarantee capacity for our customers for all their UK or European requirements.

Our goal is always to keep maximising the scale of our road-based supply chain, engaging the best quality vehicle, with a quick turnaround and sustainable approach.

Creating Sustainable journeysAlthough the information is focused on creating capacity no conversation regarding transport can be complete without mentioning the ever-growing focus on tackling carbon emissions. in making a difference now.
FLS sustainable approach supports manufacturers in managing and reducing their carbon responsibilities using several techniques. From allocating the right size vehicle for the load requirements to mitigating empty mileage through to sourcing vehicles based on collection proximity rather than origin depot. Reducing emissions requires knowledge, data, planning and extensive resource and a digital freight forwarder can play a strategic role.

In addition to a sustainable approach that saves carbon now, we are seeing an improving number of HVO, Hydrogen and EV vehicles within our supply chain albeit very limited in accessibility due to the cost and infrastructure restraints. We do however fully expect to be market leading in the accessibility of these vehicles and other more carbon efficient trailer options as we drive towards a carbon neutral economy, , combined with  government driven initiatives.

Shippers rely on the capacity, availability, and reliability of freight vehicles to facilitate smooth and frictionless cargo movements. By partnering with a trusted digital forwarder who offers an extensive and diverse resource of well-maintained vehicles, manufacturers can ensure their products are transported efficiently, meeting customer demands and optimising their supply chain operations. In today’s dynamic business landscape, the significance of a reliable freight vehicle resource cannot be overstated – they are the driving force behind successful freight movements and the lifeline of manufacturers worldwide.

 

Ieuan Rosser CEO

FLS – take SME of the Year

SME of the YearAfter being finalists for two awards at the inaugural Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards hosted last night at Abergavenny Market Hall, Freight Logistics Solutions was runner up in Green Business of the year for its approach to mitigating empty freight mileage and customer carbon saver dashboard and took home the top award of the night SME of the Year.

These prestigious awards were introduced this year with the aim of acknowledging the remarkable businesses in Torfaen and Monmouthshire and to honour the dedicated and forward-thinking entrepreneurs who contribute to the thriving business community within the counties.

The SME Award was open to all organisations with less than 250 staff and a turnover less than £50million, with judges looking for those SMEs demonstrating significant growth or expansion, innovation in products, services or processes, exceptional customer engagement, effective leadership and management and strong financial results.

Ieuan Rosser, CEO, at FLS commented ‘We are delighted to have received this award, providing our customers with the very best freight transport solutions and customer service for their business is our absolute focus, delivering that in the most digital and environmentally conscious way is our mission. The Awards is testament to the hard work of the team in a very challenging freight forwarding sector, especially over the past few years. It was a very professional night and we are very pleased.

Grapevine Event Management, the driving force behind the Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards, believes in celebrating and showcasing the achievements of local businesses, their innovative ideas and their relentless pursuit of excellence.

Liz Brookes, Founder of the Awards and Director of Grapevine Event Management said: “We are really excited to have launched the Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards this year. By recognising outstanding entrepreneurial endeavours and the amazing companies within Torfaen and Monmouthshire, these awards will help play a pivotal role in promoting growth, fostering collaboration, and inspiring others in the region.”

The Leader of Torfaen Council, Cllr Anthony Hunt, said: “The awards have been a fantastic success and I’m delighted the council has supported the inaugural Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards. The awards have been a fabulous showcase for the range of successful and innovative businesses in Torfaen and we’re looking forward to working with all our successful businesses this evening and supporting all our business leaders of the future.”

Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Mary-Ann Brocklesby said; “The business awards has been an excellent event for Monmouthshire to host this year, a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate our inspiring and ambitious businesses. Monmouthshire and Torfaen councils working together supporting future business growth, entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Well done to all involved looking forward to next year’s event”

Further details of the Torfaen and Monmouthshire Business Awards, can be found on the website https://tmbusinessawards.com/

Digitalisation – the road to recovery?

Between soaring energy and fuel prices, ongoing driver shortages, supply chain pressures, and ever-escalating demands from customers against ever-lowering rewards, freight carriers are facing enormous challenges.

The freight sector, like every other, is trying to anticipate what it means to be facing a recession, what can be done to sidestep it, and what can be done to mitigate its impact on arrival? and plot a road to recovery.

Amid these ever-increasing constraints, traditional ways of operating are time-consuming, inefficient, and costly. Digitalisation of operations has a significant role to play in the sustainability of UK businesses.

FLS was born out of the EU Referendum result and launched the next day on the founding principle that the UK would have a high demand for additional freight transport and customs agents and a new breed of supply chain managers. The big benefit for the business was, as a start-up, we invested in EVERYTHING. We could take a brand-new view on the process required to be a successful supply chain manager and deploy the very latest digitalised solutions to tackle them from the off. Which we fine-tune every day.

With an estimated 30% of ‘commercial’ journeys being made empty, someone somewhere is paying for that, if not least the planet, carriers must recoup all their costs somewhere, so there was plenty of scope to improve this situation.

The Digitalisation of all our processes and the management of the data this creates has transformed the way we move and manage freight. Our data insights help shippers streamline their supply chain, optimise their deliveries, save time, save money, save carbon, and plan their future freight movements and costs. While carriers benefit from better operational efficiency, more full truck loads, and reduced empty journeys. By harnessing technology to optimise freight forwarding, FLS strives to be a very forward-looking company in a traditional industry.

Digitalising road freight logistics

In the transport industry, technology-driven companies are increasing efficiency whilst maximising profitability and flexibility for shippers and carriers, while also addressing transport’s role in climate change. And there is room for improvement in every aspect of the supply chain, from the first mile to the last.

But what value does digitalisation bring to commercial road freight? Why does digitalisation matter?

Traditional freight forwarders are logistics experts who coordinate freight transports as an intermediary between a shipper and a carrier. Most of the logistics industry is still traditionally operating with inefficient processes. People miscommunicate with one another, an important document goes missing, and trucks drive back to their starting point empty. That’s where digitalisation can step in.

Digital freight forwarders act as the connector between shippers and carriers and also act as an optimiser. Digitalising and automating road freight logistics processes saves money for shippers and increase earnings for carriers because inefficiencies are eliminated or reduced, and enormous commercial value can be extracted from the data managed.

A major distinction between traditional logistics and digitalised logistics is the creation and structuring of data. This allows digital freight forwarders, and the shippers and carriers who use them, to benefit from a wealth of data on past shipments, run an analysis of operations, and continuously improve on inefficient processes. If a carrier consistently runs late, we can easily identify this and address the problem with a quick look at the real-time GPS data. Algorithms identify the problem and flag it so human beings can check, anticipate, and act if the carrier is indeed running late. Routing algorithms can save fuel locations more effectively thereby avoiding empty miles driven. and inefficiencies by routing vehicles in a more efficient path and connecting them to their pickup and drop off.

The FLS system also focuses on real time proximity to collection points, we are not deploying carriers because their depot is near to your collection point, we are deploying carriers based on the proximity of an available vehicle regardless of its origin depot. If it’s a load to go to Germany and you’re in Doncaster, we may engage a truck that’s about to pass you on route home who has just delivered locally. It means the collection miles you are responsible for is 0 rather than the distance travelled from the vehicle’s depot location at time of booking to your collection point.

The FLS system also focuses on real-time proximity to collection points, we are not deploying carriers because their depot is near to your collection point, we are deploying carriers based on the proximity of an available vehicle regardless of its origin depot. If it’s a load to go to Germany and you’re in Doncaster, we may engage a truck that’s about to pass you on route home that has just delivered locally. It means the collection miles you are responsible for is 0 rather than the distance travelled from the vehicle’s depot location at the time of booking to your collection point.

Digitalisation also means we track our prices very carefully, fundamentally we make sure our prices track at least 5% below the market average (acknowledged via the TEG Freight price index*) Our Ai pricing tool also makes price recommendations based on what is being paid for hundreds of similar jobs on the same vehicle against similar delivery channels. Making sure our customers are getting tangible value for money against market rates.

Realtime visibility, access to capacity in the market, and innovation are what shippers need to help them plan ahead, save time, make cost savings, and most crucially keep their supply chain moving.

Technology in road freight isn’t limited to digital freight forwarders. Like FLS, players throughout the freight ecosystem could adapt their day-to-day business and longer-term planning to take advantage of the opportunity tech solutions provide. Software as a service (SaaS) companies, for example, provide solutions directly to shippers and carriers and are now making serious contributions to performance and profitability. Overall, digitalisation is an opportunity to use the most advanced technology to make traditional road freight logistics simpler, more efficient, and of higher quality for everyone involved.

Technology’s human touch

We focus on technology supported by people rather than people supported by technology. Although innovation is central to what we do, we understand how important it is to have a human touch behind our technology – to listen to our shippers and carriers, act on any feedback that they give us, and communicate potential changes that we make with them, so they’re always informed.

Market opportunities, government policies, the environment, and technology are driving fundamental shifts in the expectations for road freight transportation. The transport industry is changing, both globally and domestically. This shift was apparent even before the pandemic put newfound pressure on supply chains.

Construct the foundation of our future on the following principles:

  • Digitalisation
  • Low carbon
  • Working with advanced fuels

To a certain extent, these three principles are already changing the road freight industry for good. Technology is driving unprecedented upgrades in transparency, analysis, and control over trucks, goods, and fuel usage, which in turn is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The future is already here.

Low carbon solutions for road freight transport

The logistics industry is amid a fundamental change for the better – a change towards low carbon operations and carbon monitoring becoming the standard. Please see my other blog on this…

Many of the world’s largest companies have implemented best practices regarding carbon: Coca-Cola will reduce emissions by 25% by 2030 and be carbon neutral by 2040, IKEA will be climate positive by 2030, AB InBev will reduce emissions by 25% by 2025, and Amazon will be carbon neutral by 2040.

With these types of goals in place from the world’s largest companies, there is a strong demand to push and implement clear, provable reductions in carbon responsibilities from all the players in their supply chains.

The biggest step changes will be with the sectors replacement of diesel vehicles with new fuels.

Driving with advanced fuels (battery, bio, hydrogen) can lower carbon emissions by up to 90% versus fossil diesel. But better fuel choices for carriers’ vehicles are still very expensive for the sector and availability is poor, so your customers will be looking for you to manage your freight transport in the most cost and carbon-beneficial way, wherever possible.

The transport companies of the not-so-distant future will all have three characteristics in common: they will be digital, low carbon, and focus on advanced fuels. We know that change is here and that the time to act is now. Implementing these best practices isn’t necessarily easy – but it is necessary for the transport companies of the future.

FLS is one of those companies – as a manufacturer getting your freight transport partner right can be the difference in leveraging new clients and losing old ones.

The transport sector and its shift to digitalisation has a strategic part to play in the UK’s Road to recovery from this ensuing recession, the UK must have cutting-edge, forward-thinking, technology-driven freight forwarders/agents who maximise and optimise the resource we have and fully exploit the UKs potential for recovery and growth.

*TEG index is referencing logistic company to logistic company pricing

Ieuan Rosser CEO

 

FLS up for two National Freight Service Awards


Leading digital freight forwarder, Freight Logistics Solutions (FLS) has become a finalist in not one, but two national awards at the BIFA Freight Service Awards, only one other company is up for two and FLS is the only company representing Wales this year. Now in its 34th year, it is recognised as one of the most prestigious in the freight logistics industry. With the ceremony taking place at the Brewery, London in January 2023 hosted by ex football player Kevin Keegan, FLS is honoured to up against so many innovative high profile company’s.

FLS is firstly up for the supply chain Management Award, acknowledging business’ that have worked with their customers to analyse their existing procurement procedures and provided a customer focused, innovative solution enabling a more efficient and cost-effective management of their supply chain.

The Specialist Services Award acknowledges services offered by a modern freight forwarder that extend far beyond the provision of basic transportation and documentation. The category is for value-added services that enhance the customer experience enabling them to concentrate on their core business.

Whilst all delivered by FLS it was the Green Freight campaign, delivering Carbon saving data and reducing customer environmental responsibilities and overall mileage, delivered via the digital Client Portal that has propelled FLS towards success this year.

Ieuan Rosser CEO at FLS commented ‘we are delighted to have been successful finalists for these two very important awards for us. The Supply Chain Management Award is exactly what our business is focussed on, delivering excellence in customer service and exceeding expectations. The specialist Service award reflects out huge investment to delivering a green service for our customers supporting them in acknowledging their Carbon responsibilities and helping them set and deliver new targets for a sustainable future’

Next Day payments for FLS carriers

In common with every other business sector the haulage market is set for continued volatility through further inflation, slower growth through dwindling demand and yet more economic uncertainty.
Whilst a difficult time with the economy, FLS continue to grow and we manage over 3000 loads monthly and support over 500 UK and European customers, which our carriers have access to through the FLS Carrier Portal.

As a digital, road freight provider, we are always striving to engage with and offer more to our carriers especially during these times. We are taking account all feedback, particularly requests for increased volume of loads, quicker payment options.

FLS is very pleased to announce a ‘quicker payment’ option of next day payment for all your ongoing invoices.

If this would benefit your business your invoices and PODs must be approved within our finance manager system.

FLS have added the next day payment to a list of benefits for all carriers:

  • A secure award-winning digital freight provider
  • Representing over 500 customers across the UK
  • Ability to view gain alerts to live International and UK jobs
  • Access to regular UK and International routes
  • Direct providers of international customs and transit
  • Direct service team providing support 24/7
  • Return load planning and support
  • Industry leading Carrier Portal and driver App
  • Manage bookings, invoices and payments online

The success of the FLS systems which has digitally enabled our carriers from owner drivers to haulage firms managing a fleet to manage all bookings, invoices, and PODs is a key factor to being able to offer the next payment option.

Please contact FLS if you’re running direct vehicles and looking for a platform to increase the number of loads for your business while managing your cashflow effectively.

To request the next day payment or to discuss the invoice payment values, please contact our finance team on 01633 288400 (option 2, option 4) or confirm via email [email protected]

FLS continues to hold pricing

FLS continues to hold pricing while the cost of road freight continues to rise

In the latest transport price index, released from TEG this week, they confirm that the market has shown a significant price per mile increase in September, which follows a month-on- month increase since January supporting their strong expectations of further rises.

TEG September Price Index

FLS boasts the UK’s largest network of carriers engaged via our platforms, giving the team information on their location, when they are empty and where they need to go. This data insight enables FLS planners to assign vehicles close to collection point, regardless of their origin.

This digital working improves vehicle turnaround speed and offers cost and carbon benefits through mitigating empty mileage, enabling FLS to commit to continued fixed prices for many clients even in this volatile market.

To discuss fixed vs spot pricing and how FLS can leverage both to support your business then please get in contact. 01633 288 400

Index summary

Inflation and fuel prices fall for now, but TEG Road Transport Price Index continues to rise – and courier prices hit three-year high

The UK faces a bumpy road ahead as it battles a currency crisis and adverse economic conditions.

While road freight companies might find themselves with lower daily costs, a recession will certainly mean reduced demand. Companies will, therefore, have to become even more adept at capitalising on what demand there is. Whether they do that by embracing technology or find efficiencies another way, now is the time for the industry to prepare itself.

But the road transport industry is attempting to streamline operations where it can, particularly by introducing sustainable technology. Plus, with driver numbers back to pre-COVID levels, the sector can face any upcoming challenges with confidence.

See more detail at TEG >

Caitlin Murray moves onto the grid for UK Road

Caitlin Murray

We are very pleased to introduce Caitlin Murray as our latest Account Manager in the UK Road team.

Caitlin is working directly with our customers making sure they get exactly what they need and ensuring the smooth running of their UK freight Transport.

A Newport girl, after the sixth form at St Julian’s she worked for four and a half years for Sports Direct across Europe as a new store opener before spending five years as a customer sales agent and then 2 years as a customer service manager for Complete Cover Insurance.

Other than cooking, Caitlin is very outdoorsy, she loves the countryside, walking her springer Lab, and is a keen ‘petrol head’, she enjoys off-roading, banger racing, and currently building a track car for Silverstone with her brand new husband – but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t rock her own beautifully managed acrylics.

Alan Griffiths, Head of UK Operations commented. ‘I’m delighted to have Caitlin join the team, she has extensive experience at dealing with very detailed and complex issues on behalf of her customers and was up to speed on freight transport in a matter of weeks, she is a real asset to the team and a joy to work with’.

FLS are a fantastic team of people, from the top management down. Every member of the team I have had the pleasure to work with has been extremely helpful and has provided a fast effective solution to the requirement I have given them

Logistics Manager

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