Long Sutton aerial

International food and drink group Princes has established new partnerships with XPO Logistics and Knowles Transport for stock handling and shunting activity in the UK.

Knowles Transport will provide stock management solutions at the group’s warehouses in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, while XPO Logistics has been awarded the contract for Princes’ Bradford warehouse.

Princes’ two Cambridgeshire warehouses hold stock produced at the group’s Long Sutton and Wisbech sites, and all imported goods, including Princes tuna, Princes fruit and Napolina tomatoes and pasta.

The Long Sutton site (pictured) and the Wisbech site are home to Branston Baked Beans, Crosse & Blackwell soups, Batchelors Peas and many more branded favourites and own-brand products manufactured by Princes.

Princes’ Bradford warehouse is part of its soft drinks facility in the area, which produces the Group’s Jucee squash brand and a range of own-brand soft drinks.

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All three warehouses are under long term leases and facilitate 90% of Princes Group’s UK stockholding – representing around 180,000 pallets at any given time.

Ian Rooney, Princes group supply chain director, said: “We’re delighted to extend our partnerships into warehousing with Knowles Transport and XPO Logistics.

"The contracts will enable us to streamline ways of working and communications, whilst introducing innovation across our operations. This change also unlocks broader logistics synergies, providing an opportunity to reduce road miles and support our goal of minimising carbon emissions across the supply chain.”

Alex Knowles, managing director at Knowles Transport, added: “Princes is a long-standing customer of Knowles and we are delighted to be extending our offering to provide warehouse management solutions at the Group’s facilities in Cambridgeshire. Combining warehousing, co-pack and transport services enables us to fully maximise efficiency and service to Princes.

“With our relationship now spanning over 20 years, this latest contract is a testament to our positive, solution orientated relationship, which we are delighted develop further.”

Dan Myers, XPO managing director, UK and Ireland, added: “The expansion of our partnership with Princes is a testament to the relationship together we have built in a short period of time, a relationship built upon results, respect, transparency and agility. T

"The Princes operation will benefit from our expertise in grocery warehousing and passion to deliver tangible improvements. Over the coming months, I look forward to exploring how our two organisations can work ever closer to deliver for Princes and its customers.”

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