MTA 2021 Op Exc winner

Steve Clarke, operations implementation manager (second left) and Lee Halls, fleet manager (holding trophy) at Wren Kitchens collect the award from Andy Humpherson, CEO of EV Cargo Solutions (second right) with host Alexander Armstrong (far left)

Keeping every aspect of the business in-house gives Wren Kitchens maximum control, optimises consistency and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement. The company introduced a number of game-changing initiatives that delivered tangible customer benefits as well as significant commercial and operational gains.

Despite 2020 being a year when safety, compliance and continuity took centre stage, the FORS-accredited operator assessed, employed and trained an unprecedented 123 new drivers in four months to manage a spike in orders.

Highlights included:

• 99.95% delivery on-time-in-full

• £1m savings and delivery leads times reduced by 60%

• £52,572 saving from ‘Project back-haul’ run in association with Wren’s appliance suppliers

• £2.8m efficiency savings and 33% reduction in road miles by ‘TripleTrunking’

• Additional 15% MPG (saving £190,000) and accident frequency reduced 50% with the introduction of new trucks with leading safety features

The transport operation made a number of improvements. By ‘upcycling’ its 18-tonne triple-trunking units as they came to the end of their five-year, 550,000km life into yard shunters Wren saved over £200,000.

With 18-tonne, 7.5-tonne and 3.5-tonne vehicles on the fleet, the company is able to offer a range of flexible delivery options. The choice of vehicle is agreed following either a satellite view or a site visit, and verified 24 hours ahead of the delivery

Our judges sang the praises of Wren’s entry, saying: “They have high standards in all of their operational tasks from the start of an order to completed delivery. Clearly a forward thinking organisation that cares about their people, customers and the environment and are not afraid to be innovative.”

“It’s such an amazing feeling to be recognised for the all the hard work and effort that all the staff have put in over the past 12 months. We came up against some strong opposition and any would be worthy winners but of course we are happy it is ourselves. This is the second time in three years we have won this ward and this is purely down to our staff across the team who do amazing work”

Tim Pearson, national SHEQ manager, Wren Kitchens