BIBBY BRINGS CLARITY TO WESTMILL TRANSPORT OPERATIONS FOLLOWING CONTRACT WIN
27 September 2012
Significant improvements in delivery performance, transport efficiencies and operational collaborations are the key benefits reported by Westmill Foods just six months after awarding its transport operations contract to Bibby Distribution.
Westmill Foods – one of Europe’s largest specialist food companies, supplying the ethnic wholesaler market – moved away from an in-house transport function in preference of a logistics partner which could identify pressure points affecting customer service, and help to realise inter-site synergies between its three nationwide facilities.
“Changing traditional ways of working always means taking a leap of faith and hoping that it pays off,” said Bob Amon, Head of Supply Chain & Demand Planning, Westmill Foods. “There is no doubt that the decision to bring in Bibby has repaid that faith. The improvements we are seeing in delivery performance, transport efficiencies and operational collaborations are evidence of a large company which can offer an individualised service through structured consolidation and data-led processes.”
Bibby Distribution manages inter-site stock and raw material movements, as well as distribution to customers across the UK on behalf of Westmill Foods, from its Northern and South Eastern planning centres in Elland, West Yorkshire and Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire respectively. This incorporates the movement of all goods from Westmill facilities in Trafford Park, Selby and Enfield.
“A clear, co-ordinated and real-time view of delivery performance – including late-running, damages and loading issues, for example – are essential in addressing potential problems before they arise. Bibby offers us comprehensive reports on a daily basis which are broken down by individual site, so we get absolute visibility of the status of every single consignment in our network,” added Amon.
“The susceptibility of our products to damage during transportation is another important factor. 25-litre drums of cooking oil being handed from carrier to carrier along the journey to the end customer is asking for trouble! So we sought the expertise of a company which uses its own network to ensure the integrity of our goods in transit,” he added.
Bibby Distribution took ownership of nine Westmill Foods-liveried semi-trailers in March 2012 when the contract commenced, all of which are now integrated into the company’s fleet operating out of its Hoddesdon depot.
“For us, it’s not about just winning new contracts; it’s proving every day that we are a valuable asset to the customer’s business,” said Gary Sharp, Divisional Director, Bibby Distribution. “Through strategic consolidation, comprehensive data analysis, and a strong network of both personnel and road assets, we are able to iron-out inefficiencies in customers’ operations, deliver on our promises and ensure that a consistently tailored service is being delivered.”
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Notes to editors:
As one of the top ten logistics providers in the UK, Bibby Distribution exists to enable other companies to drive value from their supply chain activities. The company specialises in providing contract logistics, warehousing, distribution, systems integration and added value services to a wide range of customers.
Bibby Distribution operates from 105 locations across the UK, employs 2,500 people and manages 2 million ft² of warehousing space.
The majority of Bibby Distribution’s business is based on long-term partnerships. Its diverse capability also means it can share best practice across the various industry sectors it operates in, from Automotive to FMCG.
The company is part of the £1bn-turnover Liverpool-based Bibby Line Group, a 200 year old family owned business-to-business services specialist. It is involved in ship-owning and operation, shallow water accommodation, offshore oil and gas services, contract logistics, financial services, memorial parks, employment law, health & safety advisory services, specialist plant & equipment hire and retail.
www.bibbydist.co.uk
www.bibbygroup.co.uk
BIB/037/12
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