Streamline Shipping Group has taken over the transport and warehouse operations of Menzies Distribution in Shetland and Orkney, just one month after Menzies announced it was pulling out of the Northern Isles region to concentrate on the group’s profitable operations.
Launching its service on 3 January this year, Streamline Shipping Group pledged to provide a first class, reliable service on the islands.
The company has been operating in the region for over 40 years, with this latest transaction making Streamline the shipping, warehousing and last-mile delivery partner for over 90% of UK national carrier networks on Orkney and Shetland.
The firm has also taken on management of the facilities responsible for transporting goods to remote communities on the outer islands, as well as enabling national brands and services to continue supporting island communities.
James Roberts, Streamline Shipping Group operations director (pictured), said: “For over four decades Streamline has supported Orkney and Shetland with reliable delivery services. We are proud to use this opportunity to grow our level of support, ensuring individuals and businesses maintain strong logistical links with mainland UK and beyond.
“We have long been keen to invest in facilities, people and services on Orkney and Shetland – and were, in fact, the first to introduce EVs to last-mile delivery fleets on the islands.
“We are committed to continuing this investment into the communities in which we work, and have been able to retain half of Menzies staff as part of this.”
Streamline employs over 80 staff on the islands, delivering around 685,000 parcels in 2023 – including nearly 81,000 in the Christmas run-up.
In Q4 of 2023, the firm reported all deliveries arriving on time – indicating that Orkney and Shetland residents can expect a high quality service.
Roberts added: “During the handover from Menzies, Streamline inherited a backlog of delayed parcels, due to the festive season and weather conditions, but thanks to the remarkable efforts of our teams this has already been resolved.
“We have invested significantly over the years in the infrastructure required to effectively serve Orkney and Shetland, and our teams are fully capable of integrating the increased capacity. We look forward to working with the communities on the islands for many years to come.”
Streamline Shipping Group offers a range of services through its haulage, transport, shipping and logistics network including lifting, distribution, storage, import/export, stevedoring, agency and chartering services.
The company also delivers pallets, part loads and full-load haulage throughout the UK from its depots in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Orkney, Shetland, Inverness, Humberside, Northampton and Weston-super-Mare.
