DHL-Morrisons-tanker

DHL has beaten rivals in a competitive tender to win a six-year national fuel distribution contract renewal with supermarket Morrisons.

The deal will see the logistics giant provide round-the-clock deliveries of fuel to 335 Morrisions forecourts and RDCs nationwide.

This will be done via a brand-new fleet of 56 new Euro-5 Scania tankers, which DHL invested in as part of its commitment to the contract.

Fuel stock levels at each Morrisons site are remotely monitored every 90 seconds through DHL’s in-house IT software, which can adapt rapidly to changes in demand and ensure forecourts do not run out of petrol or diesel.

Mark Todd, petrol director at Morrisons, said: “To ensure certainty of supply at the lowest possible cost, we sought a supply chain partner capable of delivering a robust, resilient but flexible operation.

"The new technology and central planning function that DHL has developed enables us to meet changing fuel purchasing patterns in real time; a critical ability in what is a highly competitive market.”

The deal represents the largest fuels contract for DHL, which also holds contracts with Asda and BP among others, and was “strategically important” to the business, according to DHL Supply Chain MD Adam Franklin.

Earlier this year, DHL secured a contract to handle aviation fuel from Grangemouth refinery for BP, as well as a  £75m distribution and warehousing contract for the fuel retailer's forecourts.