Wincanton extends Whittard fulfilment deal to support UK growth
Wincanton has announced the extension of its partnership with Whittard of Chelsea, the tea and coffee retailer, to support Whittard's growth in the UK and internationally across both eCommerce and retail outlets.
The partnership, which commenced in 2012, will see Wincanton continue to manage both business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) fulfilment from its eFulfilment centre, DC7, based in Northampton.
Fulfilment operations
Wincanton's responsibilities will involve the complete spectrum of online order fulfilment for Whittard's customers in the UK and overseas markets. This will include storage, pick-and-pack operations, and provision of multi-carrier delivery services for eCommerce transactions.
For B2B operations, Wincanton will continue to distribute stock to Whittard's UK retail stores, manage eCommerce fulfilment, and coordinate with international wholesale partners. The focus will be on maintaining efficient and reliable restocking throughout the year to ensure retail shelves remain supplied.
Over the duration of their collaboration, the companies report that operational performance has reached high standards. Picking accuracy has reached 99.99%, and the accuracy for outbound eCommerce orders increased to 99.5% during the most recent year.
Specialist services
The renewed contract includes a range of specialist services facilitated by Wincanton. This covers the management of certification requirements for international shipping to meet regulatory standards for cross-border trade. Additionally, Wincanton will oversee Whittard's personalisation services, including bespoke blending, packaging of tea and coffee, and handling of gift orders and custom gift messages.
Shared commitment
Carl Moore, Managing Director of eFulfilment at Wincanton, said:
"Whittard is a truly iconic British brand and we're proud to continue supporting their growth in the UK and beyond. This contract renewal reflects the strength of our partnership and our shared commitment to innovation and an exceptional customer experience. As Whittard looks to expand its retail footprint, our logistics expertise and scalable fulfilment solutions will continue to play a vital role in enabling their success."
Tom Baker, Chief Financial Officer at Whittard, added:
"As Whittard continues its strong growth in the UK and globally it is key to have reliable logistics partners that can scale with us, and we are pleased to continue our partnership with Wincanton."
Partnership background
Whittard of Chelsea began working with Cygnia Logistics, a specialist in mid-market eCommerce and multichannel fulfilment, in 2012. Wincanton acquired Cygnia Logistics' parent company, Caledonia Bidco, in September 2021, thus bringing the Whittard partnership within its operational portfolio.
The eFulfilment centre in Northampton, where the partnership's logistics takes place, is described by the companies as state-of-the-art and will remain integral to the contract, providing both capacity and flexibility for Whittard's ongoing operations.
Broader context
Wincanton's activities span numerous sectors, managing 17.4 million sq ft of warehouse space and operating a fleet of more than 6,700 vehicles with a workforce of 19,200 people. The company delivers storage, transport, handling and network optimisation solutions to several UK businesses, including the food, consumer goods, and eCommerce sectors.
In recent months, Wincanton has itself changed ownership, being acquired by GXO Logistics. Following a review by the UK Competition and Markets Authority this year, GXO has begun integrating Wincanton's operations, excepting its dedicated grocery warehousing business, which will be sold to a CMA-approved buyer.
Whittard of Chelsea, founded in 1886, continues to sell tea, coffee and hot chocolate products through both traditional retail and eCommerce channels as it pursues further growth domestically and internationally.
