Howdens extends relationship with 3PL

Wincanton will run a ‘through the night’ regional cross docking (XDC) operation for Howdens out of the site, enabling daily distribution services to its regional depots to improve stock replenishments and allow for a next-day service to trade customers. This operation will see 14 Wincanton vehicles serve nearly 90 Howdens depots across Scotland, including the Isle of Skye and Thurso in the Scottish Highlands.

The use of XDCs optimises the supply chain for Howdens, improving stock replenishment through regional hubs that supplement its depots’ core weekly replenishment with a next day service. This approach frees up more time and resources for Howdens to focus on sales and service for its trade partners.

Howdens director of logistics Steve Liddiard, says: “The roll out of our XDC programme was completed earlier this year, with Wincanton finding a temporary solution in Scotland for our final XDC site. Wincanton’s ability to find a temporary solution and subsequently transfer the operation to a permanent facility at Scotland Gateway demonstrates agility and is a real example of our collaborative relationship.”

The new, expanded contract builds on nearly a decade of collaboration between the two companies, which has seen Wincanton support Howdens’ sustained growth with transport and warehousing services.

Carl Hanson, MD for group transport at Wincanton, adds: “We are delighted to house Howdens Scottish cross-docking operation at our Scotland Gateway shared user hub. Our partnership is built on collaborative working and operational excellence, and we look forward to realising further supply chain efficiencies over the next three years.”