Bibby Distribution to supply chocolate tankers to Mars Wrigley

Bibby Distribution has clinched a long-term deal with Mars Wrigley after making a multi-million pound investment in 12 ISO-tanks for the transport of bulk liquid chocolate.

The tankers, which are fitted with a live tracking and monitoring system, provide continuous updates to Bibby Distribution’s food and ingredients team, who can remotely monitor and adjust the temperature of the load and manage stirring schedules as required.

Bibby claims this is the first time such capability has been implemented in the UK food manufacturing industry.

The technology is said to minimise the chance of any drop in agreed set point and aims to ensure the chocolate delivered for Mars Wrigley arrives in optimal condition.

The new ISO-tanks also provide an 18% increase in payload, allowing Bibby to reduce the number of journeys required – shrinking the supply chain’s carbon footprint.

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Commented Rob Sharpe, Mars Wrigley’s UK factory logistics manager: “We work with partners who share our focus on sustainability and Bibby Distribution’s investment in this equipment proves they’re committed to helping us reduce our environmental impact.

“As well as cutting food miles, Bibby Distribution gives us complete supply chain traceability and upholds our very high food quality standards.”

The new tankers will operate from the 3PL’s Droitwich site, and plans are already in place to add more to the fleet in 2020, specified with the same temperature management, stirring and tracking capabilities.

Bibby Distribution’s food and ingredients division also provides transport for bulk and palletised food products, and warehousing for the entire food supply chain.