Member Article

Operations director arrives at Ningbo Palletised Distribution

An award-winning warehouse and logistics company has appointed an operations director as it eyes further expansion.

Ningbo Palletised Distribution has welcomed Tim Roper to its senior management team, a move described by managing director Chris Stockton as a ‘significant milestone’.

Ningbo has grown rapidly in the last few years, including opening a second warehouse and substantially increasing its postcode coverage with Palletline to include Shropshire.

It’s also diversified into ADR to transport hazardous materials and and launching a dedicated next-day service to Ireland, allowing Shropshire businesses to export quickly and cost-effectively to Ireland.

With plans to continue the growth including opening further UK depots, Chris sees Tim as a pivotal appointment to assist with the success.

He said: “The only thing that saddens me about the growth we have created, is having less day to day contact with all of our employees. I have a huge amount of respect for everyone here, and I’m extremely aware that the commitment of the whole team is what makes us so strong.

Tim is very personable, and approachable, and his old team at Freightroute all thought a lot of him, with many drivers being with him more than 10 years. That is what I want to see at Ningbo. It is very, very important to me.

“Tim joining has opened up the scope of what we can do. The business was at risk of being held back by my own time limitations now that it is such a sizeable operation. His appointment is fundamental to the development plan to open strategic depots across the UK.

“But it wasn’t just about the role. It was finding the right person to support and lead us through future success and Tim is the ideal person.

“Tim’s old company Freightroute has a very structured management approach to enable it to effectively run and control multiple UK depots from Falkirk to Southampton.

“Tim has been part of its culture, which is very compliance and customer based. He has gained a wealth of experience with on-the-job training and external training and has got the skills we need to take a large part of my workload to concentrate on the business as a whole.”

Tim joined Freightroute as a driver in 2000 and progressed through the ranks to become depot general manager in 2008. During his time with the company he oversaw the relocation of the Shropshire depot to Staffordshire.

He said: “The first few weeks have gone very well. My new colleagues have been fantastic. It’s always a concern when a new person comes in and the worry is they will reinvent the wheel.

“There is no need for that at Ningbo. The business foundations are fantastic. It just needs support to enable it to grow and develop to the next level. I’m here to try and enhance the work Chris and the team have put in place.

“It’s a very exciting time at Ningbo. There are lots of good challenges ahead including a planned new depot, expansion at Wrexham, and structured recruitment.

“My main duties include overseeing the managing of the depot, which already has 5 very capable managers, ensuring the company achieves compliance and adheres to health and safety, managing HR effectively, and making sure the business maintains high levels of customer service. In addition, I will be ensuring all departments are linked up and working together to maximise efforts and results.

“I’m keen to help take the business forward by supporting the team, and continuing the growth and following the good work that has already been done.”

Ningbo Palletised Distribution is part of the Ningbo Group. Sister business Ningbo Furniture, is a supplier of contract furniture.

For further information visit https://www.ningbo.co.uk/ or www.ningbodistribution.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .