Contract for frozen goods is good for business

A MID Devon haulage firm has sealed a deal to deliver more chilled and frozen goods to Spar stores across the South West from its distribution centre in Cullompton.

North Tawton-based Gregory Distribution Ltd has entered into a five-year contract with Appleby Westward, Spar's regional distribution company in the South West, to deliver a full range of food items to stores,

The new contract provides greater frequency of delivery to retail customers and enhanced flexibility in operation, as well as a significant increase in ranges delivered from the depot at the Kingsmill industrial estate in Cullompton.

The deal will see temperature-controlled space at Cullompton increased by 25 per cent to 27,000 sq.ft.

John Gregory, chief executive of Gregory Distribution, said: “The facility and agreement we have in place for the future will allow us to continue to support the development of Spar through Appleby Westward.

“Having been in partnership for almost a decade, we are delighted that both our businesses will be further strengthened as a result of continuing to work together.”

The contract, which starts from October 3, follows an extensive review of Appleby Westward’s logistics operations over the past 18 months to explore the best options to serve the company's 300 retail customers.

Appleby Westward's operations director Phil Brewer, said “We have been working closely and collaboratively with Gregory Distribution looking at products across all temperature regimes.

“This is the first stage of implementation following the review, and further updates will be made during the autumn.”

Saltash-based Appleby Westward aims to hold a series of communication briefings with its retailers from September to outline the benefits the deal will bring to their businesses.

John Pattison, managing director of Appleby Westward, said: “We are very pleased to be able to continue our relationship with Gregory Distribution and look forward to working with them over the next five years. The contract we have agreed provides Spar in the South West with the opportunity to drive chilled ranges, availability and service as never before.”

SPAR is world’s largest food retailer, operating in 35 countries, including most of mainland Europe plus South Africa, Asia, Australia and Greenland. It has 2,800 stores in the UK.