Menzies Distribution has struck a deal to supply more than 1,200 WH Smith stores nationwide.
The logistics group would not reveal the exact value of the three-year contract, which is believed to be worth ‘significant millions’, and has already successfully transferred over from the previous supplier, Wincanton.
Under the partnership, Menzies will operate from the three WH Smith distribution centres in Birmingham, Swindon and Dunstable, as well as delivering to WH Smith’s stores from its own network of depots.
As a result of the contract win, the Edinburgh-based distributor said it had added a further 80 vehicles to its fleet. These included 18-tonne rigids to 44-tonne tractor units and trailers, swelling its own fleet of vehicles to 950.
Menzies Distribution MD Paul McCourt described the deal as a “very significant milestone” in its journey to establish the company as a “serious player in the UK’s retail logistics market”.
“As a business that three years ago was largely about delivering newspapers and magazines, we are delighted now to be delivering national retail logistics for one of Britain’s biggest and best-known high street retailers,” he said. “Having secured several significant contracts in the e-commerce fulfilment sector and completed three recent acquisitions, we are building a strong and sustainable business that is ideally placed to take advantage of further growth within this dynamic market.”
WH Smith supply chain director David McKinlay added: “Our experience of working with Menzies Distribution to date has been excellent and we had a strong desire to extend this quality of service and flexible approach to the rest of the UK, which was a major factor in choosing Menzies.”
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