Menzies Distribution has secured a new retail logistics contract with Nisbets, the UK’s largest supplier of catering equipment. Menzies will manage weekly supplies of goods from Nisbet’s national distribution base in Avonmouth, near Bristol, to the company’s 22 stores across the UK. 

Steve Murray, General Manager for Business Development at Menzies Distribution said: “Our contract with Nisbets is an excellent example of how we can combine our trunk and local operations to support our customers’ supply chains. It’s a relationship that we hope to grow as we demonstrate the value of working with a national consolidator.

“Thanks to our other logistics work, and our newspaper and magazine deliveries, we’re on the UK’s high streets already. That allows us to offer a highly efficient service.” 

Jim Huckle, Operations Director for Nisbets said: “Menzies impressed us with their ability to provide a reliable and cost-effective service throughout the country. It wouldn’t make sense for us to have this kind of operation on dedicated vehicles but by working with a consolidator we have been able to secure a much more attractive and efficient arrangement.

“Although we’re already the largest supplier in our market we have significant growth ambitions. Supply chain excellence is critical to those plans and in Menzies we have a partner that we know will deliver for us.”

The goods are trunked from Avonmouth to Menzies’ depot network, with pallets and cages then transferred to local vehicles for ‘final mile’ delivery. Although Menzies has been working with Nisbets for several months, the arrangement has just been formalised this week.

In December, Menzies announced that it secured a three-year national logistics contract to provide trunk services from the three WHSmith Distribution Centres to the Menzies depot network and final mile delivery to over 1200 stores nationwide.