Leading drinks logistics firm Tradeteam has won a major distribution deal with one of the UK's leading wine wholesalers.
The distributor has signed a three-year contract with Bibendum Wine Ltd to become its exclusive warehousing and distribution partner.
After a year-long competitive tender process, Tradeteam was selected thanks to its credentials in customer service, IT infrastructure, national network coverage and its ability to design and implement a new bespoke delivery service.
Gavin Murdoch, Tradeteam's Managing Director, said: "This is a fantastic win for Tradeteam. We are really looking forward to developing an effective partnership with Bibendum, working together to exceed the expectations of its very diverse customer base and to create the industry's leading wine delivery network."
The London-based wine supplier recently conducted a full strategic review of its operations and service offering to identify key future supply chain requirements to deliver its ambitious growth strategy.
From September 2011 Bibendum's customers will be serviced using a dedicated core fleet, designed specifically to meet the needs of its customers.
The Bibendum branded vehicles, will operate between a principal national stock holding at one of Tradeteam's southern based warehouses and a secondary stock holding in Scotland along with four regional distribution centres.
Bob Smyllie, Bibendum's Director of Operations, said: "We have been incredibly impressed with Tradeteam's professionalism and service offering and are confident of a smooth transition which will result in an increased number of our customers enjoying even shorter delivery lead times.
"The rapid growth of our business along with the diversity of our customer base has driven the decision to appoint a new logistics partner. We are looking forward to developing fulfilment services with Tradeteam and are confident that it will further enhance our service proposition.
"We believe the new partnership will produce a faster, more consistent service using the latest developments in information management and systems technology."
Under the terms of the agreement Tradeteam will work closely with Bibendum's current distribution partner during a transition phase until early 2012, to ensure all existing stock is transferred successfully to its new locations.
Bibendum will also benefit from Tradeteam's award-winning customer service centre at its headquarters in Birmingham and access to a robust reverse logistics supply chain and complementary co-packing services where required.
Tradeteam and Bibendum share a commitment to the environment and will be working together to ensure the new partnership is as green as possible. The new fleet and all materials handling equipment will be specified to take advantage of the latest low emission technologies and develop recycling solutions for glass, cardboard and plastic.
Bibendum's decision to appoint Tradeteam was further endorsed this month after it was awarded Best On-trade Supply Chain Company at The Drinks Business Awards 2011.