Tibbett & Britten (T&B), the logistics services provider, is setting up a central warehousing and distribution operation in the Czech Republic for supermarket chain Tesco Stores CR. The operation is been established within T&B’s existing chilled and frozen food distribution centre in astern Prague.
The new central chilled facility will operate between the +4 to +8°C temperature band and Tibbett has taken on an extra 60 employees to handle the business. An initial 700 different stock lines will be handled, with the number rising to 1,100 soon, and annual volumes are expected to be around 70,000 pallets. Transport to Tesco’s 19 stores in the Czech Republic is being outsourced, under T&B management.
Products handled include milk and milk-based drinks, margarine, cheese and yogurt. Tibbett says that because of their particular cold chain needs, these products have until now been delivered direct to store so the supply chain for many Czech suppliers has been simplified. Aggregate manufacturer Hanson. Packed Products (HPP) is using Palletline to provide palletised goods distribution throughout the UK and Ireland as part of an exclusive two-year deal. It entails one to five pallet consignments, which accounts for 5% of total annual production and was previously dealt with by a range of carriers.
HPP makes base and decorative aggregates as well as dry cement products which are distributed from its hub at Nuneaton and 15 sites around the country to customers nationwide. It awarded the work to Palletline following trials conducted over a 12-month period.
Commenting on the contract, HPP supply chain director Jeremy Evans says: “We now have the ability to reduce and sustain our lead time offer to this market segment throughout the year, despite exceptional seasonal shifts in demand. Looking ahead, Palletline’s investment plans will allow us to shrink the supply chain further, adding financial advantages to both parties.”
Palletline is one of several palletised distribution networks exhibiting at Logistics Link 2004, being held on February 3 and 4 and Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey. For further information contact Richard Milbourn on 020 8661 1160 or visit www.logisticslink.co.uk.
