DHL Supply Chain’s new three-year contract with Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, which sees it replace Wincanton as the company’s sole supply chain delivery and warehouse supplier, has launched this month.

Wincanton lost its long-standing distribution contract with the soft drinks maker in October last year, prompting concern among hundreds of staff about the future of their jobs.

Wincanton had run a transport and warehousing service for Suntory since the 1990s and operated out of the drinks maker’s factory in Coleford in the Forest of Dean, as well as Wincanton’s depot in Brockworth on the Gloucester business park.

Its contract ended on 31 December and has seen around 280 staff transfered over to DHL Supply Chain ahead of its taking over the contract on 1 January this year.

DHL said the partnership has seen over 310 jobs created at its site in Worksop.

As part of the contract, DHL will be supporting Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) in delivering its Growing for Good strategy, by improving efficiency across its supply chain, while focusing on sustainability.

The transport group said it will also leverage its investments in automated solutions to manage the fulfilment of orders across Britain.

DHL said that with its ”high-tech warehouse solution, enhanced reporting capabilities, and live order tracking, the new partnership will help SBF GB&I gain greater insight and efficiencies across its operations”.

DHL is also pledging to use its extensive network to provide SBF GB&I with an optimised transport solution that eliminates wasted network space, reducing associated costs and carbon emissions - all supported by track and trace capabilities.

Carol Robert, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I chief operating officer, said: “We believe DHL Supply Chain will help deliver our strategic ambitions.

”We have lots of growth to go after; together with DHL’s capability, we will achieve our ambitious revenue targets through customer service excellence all the while working to reduce our impact on the environment.”

Nick Archer, DHL Supply Chain UK&I MD of consumer and convenience, added: “Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is one of the UK’s largest soft drinks manufacturers that has shown impressive growth over the last few years, while demonstrating a clear commitment to making a positive impact on the world.

”This of course aligns to our own business goals and ambitions, so we are delighted to be joining SBF GB&I to help make their vision a reality.”

 

 

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