Newhaven-based Tomsetts Distribution has secured over £1m in new business and expanded its fleet, thanks to prioritising customer service and placing environmental performance at the heart of its business strategy.
The East Sussex family haulier, which has recently celebrated 50 years in business, has added two 18-tonne rigids, two tractor units, five straight and three double-deck trailers to its expanding fleet.
The trailers were ordered ahead of confirmed new business, which the company said allowed the business to respond quickly and convert a strong pipeline of enquiries.
A 12-tonne fully electric truck, secured through the DAF Early Adopter Programme, takes the fleet to 21 vehicles and allows Tomsetts to put the decarbonisation of customer supply chains at the forefront of the business.
By securing two new customers – a biological cleaning products manufacturer and an organic produce wholesaler – and expanding its Palletforce territory, Tomsetts has added £1m of new quality revenue.
The expansion has also improved the balance of its network freight, enhancing fleet utilisation and reducing emissions, the company added.
Tomsetts has been a member of the Palletforce network for nearly 10 years and uses the network’s technology offer to cut delivery miles using AI and to offer emissions reporting to customers via EV Scope.
Andrew Tucknott (pictured), Tomsetts Distribution managing director, said: “We have built our reputation on providing a personalised service and developing strong individual relationships with our clients over many years – something that had been missing with previous suppliers.
“They value that personal touch alongside our ability to show a credible plan to reduce carbon emissions and track them properly. That top-to-bottom focus on sustainability, has made us stand out and is definitely a driving factor behind the £1 million increase in revenue.”
Tomsetts’ DAF electric vehicle will cover around 100 miles a day delivering across Brighton & Hove, where cleaner air is a priority.
It plans to add more electric vehicles to its fleet, alongside depot charging infrastructure supported by the government’s depot charging scheme.
The company is also working with EFREIGHT2030, part of the ZEHID programme, which aims to accelerate the transition to zero-emission freight in the UK.
Tomsetts, which holds a Bronze Armed Forces Covenant award, is working towards becoming the UK’s first carbon-neutral SME haulier. It aims to be carbon neutral by 2030, net zero by 2040 and Nature Positive by 2050.
