British Sugar renews logistics contract
The ingredient producer has renewed its deal with Masters Logistical with a new three year contract.
ORIGINALLY ESTABLISHED in 2018 as a short-term warehousing solution during a major automation upgrade at British Sugar’s Wissington factory, the collaboration has since evolved into a critical part of the British Sugar supply chain. Masters has handled more than one million pallets, over five times the original forecast, as part of a fully integrated warehousing and distribution service.
The agreement will see Masters continue as a key logistics provider, managing nationwide warehousing operations.
British Sugar head of logistics Stewart Dickson, says: “We couldn’t achieve our ambitions without the expertise of our partners. Our relationship with Masters Logistical is one of true collaboration. It’s about trust, responsiveness, and a shared drive to improve.”
To meet the evolving demands of the partnership, Masters invested significantly in the transformation of its Ely Road depot. This included:
- Full warehouse reconfiguration and new racking
- Site improvements, including yard resurfacing and weatherproof canopies
- Upgraded materials handling and IT systems
- Extension of operations to a 24-hour, five-day-a-week model
- Seamless integration with British Sugar’s order and inventory platforms
These developments have strengthened operational capacity while enabling Masters to achieve BRCGS AA accreditation, and long-term stability through its acquisition by Knowles Logistics in 2022.
As the partnership continues to evolve, both companies are making incremental but meaningful steps towards net zero goals. As part of the new contract, Masters will introduce two Volvo FM 5 electric trucks into its fleet which will be used for the shunting operation from the factories in Wissington and Bury St Edmunds to the Masters distribution centre.
Stewart Dickson continues: “British Sugar’s focus on reducing Scope 3 emissions from its logistics fleet continues, and we’re delighted that two EV trucks will join the Masters fleet very soon, with opportunities to expand this further over the coming months and years.”
