CM Downton has extended its contract with Saica, making the Spanish packaging company one of its “top 10” customers.

CM Downton already handles inbound raw materials and finished products for Saica’s paper mill and recycling facility in Manchester.

The extension to this £3m-a-year deal will see the haulier manage distribution for a packaging plant in Thatcham.

Despite already working with Saica, Downton won the deal off the back of a “competitive tender process”, and the extended service will run for a 12 month trial period initially.

CM Downton will handle 30-35 loads per day, and has inherited four members of staff from the previous holder of the contract.

The company's MD Andy Downton said: "Saica is now one of our top ten customers and we are pleased to be extending our partnership with them.

“Our existing contract with Saica Paper and the strength of our network along the M4 corridor makes Downton the ideal logistics partner for Saica Pack’s operation in Thatcham – we hope this is the start of a long and successful relationship with this division of the business.”

Duncan Ward, regional logistics manager for Saica Pack South West, added that Saica “needed a transport provider who could cover our sales area, with a combination of core fleet and a national network operated by one haulier with its own vehicles”, and that Downton was the right business for the job.