It’s no flight of fancy – using the strength of its established network throughout the UK, palletised distribution specialist Palletline Plc is providing fast and reliable delivery services to help the RSPB achieve a cost effective and environmentally responsible solution for the distribution of branded birdseed to key accounts nationwide.
The RSPB currently markets branded birdfood through leading retailers including Homebase, Tesco, Sainsbury and Pets at Home. As a charitable organisation, the RSPB recognises that it has a duty to maintain and control costs and provide environmentally responsible solutions for all its direct and indirect activities. In 2008, the organisation carried out a total review of its birdfood production and distribution operation, seeking to increase efficiency and reduce cost.
RSPB birdfood is now sourced, packed, and stored within a few miles. Under the original regime, the seed was sent from East Anglia to North Yorkshire for onward distribution.
Palletline Member Company Anglia Freight tendered for the contract, based on storage of up to 1000 tonnes of seed to be called off and delivered to key accounts via an efficient and cost effective combination of the Palletline network and the company’s own groupage fleet.
“Our primary aim was to achieve cost reductions in terms of getting product from source to a suitable local distribution hub,” commented Roy Roddy, Fulfilment Manager for the charity. “The solution designed by Palletline and Anglia Freight provided RSPB with a fast, reliable and extremely competitive delivery infrastructure.”
Seed is now held in stock by Anglia Freight and called off to meet customer orders using secure online systems. All deliveries to RDCs are booked in by Anglia Freight, then confirmed and delivered in accordance with instructions by Palletline Member Companies nationwide.
Key to the success of the contract is communications. Anglia Freight operates a sophisticated warehousing and IT system capable of accepting orders direct from RSPB customers, providing total transparency of stock together with traceability, batch control. Remote access also allows the charity to pull off tailored reports at any time for management purposes.
“Reducing ‘seed miles’ was a primary objective for us,” confirmed Roy Roddy. “With production, contract packing and distribution now focused in a local area of East Anglia, we have an environmentally responsible strategy in place which is working well using established distribution routes.”
Palletline Plc
Tel: 0121 767 6870
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