Nisa-Today’s has appointed a new distribution director to prepare the buying group for its switch from Bibby Line Group to DHL in April next year.

Bibby currently distributes Nisa’s ambient products, while DHL distributes frozen and chilled goods. But in September last year, Nisa-Today’s revealed that DHL would handle Nisa’s entire supply chain for seven years from April 2011. The decision came in the wake of two failed bids by Bibby Line Group, which owns Nisa-Today’s biggest member Costcutter, to take over Nisa-Today’s.

Jonathan Stowe has taken on the newly-created role and will be responsible for ensuring a smooth transition. He will also head the day-to-day activities of Nisa’s distribution and warehousing functions.

He has more than 20 years’ experience in supply chain management, having previously held posts with third party logistics providers, suppliers and independent wholesalers.

“I am delighted to be joining Nisa-Today’s and I am looking forward to the challenges that the new role will present,” he said.

“We have an exciting 12 months ahead of us and I am looking forward to developing the relationship we have with current and future logistics suppliers.”

Stowe would help enhance Nisa’s reputation with its suppliers and members, added MD of Nisa-Today’s central distribution trading & logistics, John Sharpe. “Jonathan has exceptional credentials and will bring with him a wealth of experience from within the distribution and logistics field,” he said.

Meanwhile, Nisa-Today’s MD Neil Turton has praised both Bibby and DHL for ensuring goods got through to customers in the recent weather conditions. There had been very few cancellations, he said.

“I’ve had several emails from members congratulating Nisa-Today’s, Bibby and DHL, one of which was posted onto our bulletin board by Peter Sykes, from Colin Sykes Foodstores based in Liverpool. He said customers were thrilled that they had stock on the shelves when other major multiples had failed to achieve this.”

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