Kwik Save has awarded the UK warehouse and distribution contract for its ambient and frozen goods to TDG in a deal worth more than £9 million a year.
In February, Somerfield sold the Kwik Save brand to a company formed to operate Kwik Save. All deliveries to the grocer’s 184 stores nationwide will be made from TDG’s Warrington distribution centre, which has been redesigned to serve the Kwik Save business.
Kwik Save’s commercial director David Birchall said: “We are working with new suppliers, and have chosen to work with a 3PL with retail food expertise that shares our vision. The tight timescales on this contract are an indication of how much energy and determination our new management have to succeed with our plans.”
In addition to recruiting and training 192 employees including drivers, managers, clerical and warehouse staff, the TDG distribution centre at Appleton Link near Warrington had alterations to racking; additional canteen and locker facilities and a new computer system installed within the 21 day time frame, as well as new vehicles and mechanical handling equipment.
TDG will manage the frozen goods through its temperature-controlled services site in Manchester, with the transport being planned via the Appleton Link site.
TDG made the first deliveries less than three weeks after the initial contact. Barrie Brackstone, account director, said: “We’re used to working to tight deadlines and understand the demands of food retail, but it’s not everyday that you’re asked to recruit and train around 200 people, and get a warehouse fully functioning in just three weeks.”
