BIBBY DISTRIBUTION AND MORRISONS PARTNERSHIP HITS THIRD BASE
22 April 2014
The partnership between Bibby Distribution and Morrisons will reach a new phase in Q2 2014 with the opening of a third Primary Consolidation Centre (PCC).
The new centre, to be located in Kent, will expand the Bibby Distribution-Morrisons PCC network as the 3PL provider helps Britain’s fourth largest supermarket chain boost its inventory efficiency.
The new 10,000-pallet capacity PCC will draw in regular deliveries from a variety of suppliers based in the South East. Once consolidated at the centre, an advanced software system developed by Bibby Distribution for Morrisons creates full multi-sku, multi-vendor loads, which can be taken to regional distribution centres across the country. The result is that supermarkets will benefit from ‘little and often’ deliveries, in keeping with customer buying habits, and Morrisons can optimise its delivery centre use, slashing operating costs.
Kevin Yapp, General Manager for Primary Distribution at Morrisons said: “The PCC model that has been developed specifically for us by Bibby Distribution has already delivered substantial benefits at the first two PCCs, which have been in operation since April 2013. The time is now right to expand out to a new region. Once all five planned PCCs are open by mid-2015, we expect to have taken out £20m of inventory whilst improving on-shelf availability.”
The bespoke partnership also allows Morrisons to drive its InMotion programme, which increases backhaul revenue for the retailer. The use of PCCs means Morrisons can use its own vehicles returning to distribution centres to collect loads from suppliers at backhaul rates rather than factory-gate pricing, driving down costs while boosting fleet utilisation. That in turn slashes food miles and carbon emissions per tonne moved, reducing Morrisons’ environmental impact at no extra financial cost.
Bibby Distribution then supports Morrisons by providing additional trucks as and when required. Costs are further cut because the PCCs are located as close as possible to suppliers.
Ian Firth, Bibby Distribution Divisional Development Director, said: “We’ve worked extremely closely with Morrisons to ensure they have the right solution. We’ve created their PCC model from scratch, helping support the deployment of their other programmes. We’re delighted to have developed the physical solution that makes the most of Morrisons’ existing and developing technology, and to have given them the security and peace of mind to benefit from future delivery network investment.”
Bibby Distribution currently operates two PCCs for Morrisons in Corby and Yeadon, covering the Midlands and North of England respectively. By the middle of 2015, the entire country will be covered by a PCC network, giving the £18bn-turnover retailer absolute certainty around supply as Bibby manages deliveries from suppliers to the centres.
ends
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 90 locations across the UK, employs 2,500 people and manages 2million 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 £1.4bn-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.
Bibby Distribution, Head office, 105 Duke Street, Liverpool, L1 5JQ.
www.bibbydist.co.uk
www.bibbygroup.co.uk
Further press information:
James Boley and James Keeler at Garnett Keeler PR on 020 8647 4467.
BDL/099/14
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