Mobile elevated-platform supplier Lavendon Group has outsourced its in-house delivery and collection operation to Wincanton.

The five-year deal will begin in January and will see the 3PL collect products from Lavendon’s 26 storage sites and deliver them to customers across the UK. Wincanton will make 200,000 deliveries a year using a fleet of 124 vehicles.

Lavendon, which trades as Nationwide Platforms in the UK, hopes moving its in-house operations to a 3PL will improve efficiency and its service to customers. Staff at Lavendon’s transport operation will transfer over to Wincanton in the New Year.

Eric Born, Wincanton CEO, said: "We are delighted to have secured Lavendon as a new client and believe our cross sector logistics expertise, reputation for maximising customers' assets, and the deployment of proven technology systems, will all help Lavendon achieve its ambitious growth plans."

Nationwide Platforms MD Jeremy Fish commented: “The switch-over is expected to be virtually un-noticed by customers, who will see little difference in the people and vehicles they are used to. Going forwards, however, we expect to see real improvements in on-time deliveries, reduced collection lead times and increased communication.”