The Co-op signs five-year logistics deal with Wincanton plc

The Co-operative Group has extended its distribution contract with logistics firm Wincanton plc.

The Co-op signed another five-year deal that will see Wincanton service the Manchester-headquartered company’s depots at Lea Green in Merseyside and Cardinal, near Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire.

As part of the agreement, around 700 Wincanton staff and a fleet of more than 500 vehicles will support the Co-op by making around 130k journeys each year to as many as 1,000 Co-op stores across the UK.

Wiltshire-headquartered Wincanton, which has worked with the Co-op for over 25 years, will seek to achieve further efficiencies and improvement benefits across its operations.

Jon Paul Brown, the Co-op’s head of transport, said of the agreement: “Renewing our food logistics contract with Wincanton is an important part of our re-build strategy, which continues at pace.

“We remain committed to delivering the best possible service to stores and we are confident that continuing our long-term relationship with Wincanton will help this and reduce our operating costs, to support investment in our business and members going forward.”

Wincanton chief executive Adrian Colman commented: “Wincanton will deliver transformational change, utilising our continuous improvement expertise to capitalise on opportunities for further efficiencies across these operations.

“This significant contract renewal with the Co-op underlines our leadership in the UK grocery sector for supporting successful retailers in their ambitions to win market share.”

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