BIBBY DISTRIBUTION RISES TO THE CHALLENGE WITH ROBERTS BAKERY

20 November 2015

Shoppers across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire can look forward to finding the freshest wrapped bread possible on their local shop shelves, thanks to a new warehousing and distribution contract between Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd and Bibby Distribution.

Under the contract, Bibby Distribution’s warehouse in Scunthorpe will receive deliveries of baked goods from Roberts Bakery sites in Northwich, Cheshire and Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Bibby Distribution then picks and packs bread for distribution to existing supermarket and convenience store customers.

The commissioning by Roberts Bakery of a 3PL to handle its outbound distribution is believed to be the first contract of its type for a major bread brand in the UK.

Bibby Distribution won the contract as a result of its high performance during a 12-month trial, which saw it excel in providing an efficient service with a rapid turnaround to ensure a high on-shelf availability of fresh bread.

Mike Roberts, deputy chairman of Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd, comments: “We approached Bibby Distribution because, like us, it is a long-established family-owned business that retains those family values of service and quality, with a national capability. We are looking forward to taking the partnership to the next level.”

Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd Logistics Director, Mark Owen says: “We were very impressed with Bibby Distribution’s enthusiasm and commitment during the trial, and we expect this to continue as we ensure our customers get the freshest bread possible.

“We’re not just getting distribution, we’re getting a complete service that lets us focus on our core strengths. It is a scalable model which could help provide national distribution capability in the future.”

With the bakery producing more than 20,000 loaves of bread an hour, Bibby Distribution must ensure orders are processed on a day zero basis, with no stock rollover, to ensure customers get bread that’s as fresh from the oven as possible.

Goods are carried on articulated trucks and trailers, plus a number of 7.5-tonne rigids for urban deliveries. The contract is managed on an open book basis and involves close partnership working between the teams at Bibby Distribution and Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd.

Bibby Distribution excels at keeping the cost per unit as low as possible through efficient picking and driving. Drivers also accurately record all proofs of delivery giving a comprehensive view of the supply chain. As a result, customers have every confidence in their delivery, and consumers can be sure their bread has been tracked from bakery to store.

Frank Roberts and Sons Ltd was founded in Northwich, Cheshire, in 1887 and now produces 3.5 million loaves and rolls a week from its three bakery facilities. The firm supplies bread, rolls, treats and speciality loaves to major supermarkets and local convenience stores.

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Notes to editors:

About Bibby Distribution

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 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 £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/158/15

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