Leading provider of materials to the construction industry, Marley Eternit, has appointed Wincanton to distribute its cladding solutions in the UK.
Building on its existing contract to distribute roof tiles, this new deal cements Wincanton's relationship with the construction sector supplier, making it Marley Eternit's sole distribution partner in the UK.
The new, four-year contract will see Wincanton distribute c. 40,000 tonnes of sheeting and cladding material a year from a single operational base in Meldreth, Cambridgeshire, to the rest of the UK.
To fulfil the contract Wincanton will utilise its UK-wide fleet of specialist construction vehicles, operated by drivers specially-trained to off-load construction materials in challenging sites, improving service to Marley Eternit's customers by significantly reducing lead times from point of order to final delivery.
In addition, thanks to its industry-leading expertise when it comes to planning and scheduling deliveries, Wincanton's team will ensure vehicle load-fills are maximised, thereby reducing operational impact on the environment.
However, according to Ken Clark, Marley Eternit's Head of Purchasing and Supply Chain, as significant a factor in awarding the contract to Wincanton was the 3PL's proven commitment and track record when it comes to health and safety.
He said: "As a business we recognise that our prime responsibility is to ensure all our operations are carried out in a safe manner and, as members of the British Ceramic Confederation and British Cement Manufacturers' Association, we are required to meet stringent health and safety standards and targets.
"Wincanton demonstrably shares these values with a superb track record when it comes to safety and, in addition, its team comes with an excellent reputation for customer service."
Chris Kingshott, Wincanton's managing director for manufacturing said: "Since 2008 we have managed all of Marley Eternit's tile business, so we were extremely pleased to win this additional contract and extend our relationship with this leading manufacturer."
He added: "As the UK's construction industry gathers momentum, suppliers are looking for innovative ways to maximise their operational output and satisfy customer demand. This contract win is testament to our unique scale and flexibility, and our proven commitment to health and safety, making us ideally placed to help our customers improve efficiencies and take advantage of the upturn we are seeing in the sector."