While consolidation is suddenly in fashion with suppliers, manufacturers and retailers at every level, Boughey Distribution continues to lead the industry with its innovative consolidated solutions.

The logistics world has changed beyond all recognition since Boughey was founded over thirty years ago as a bulk milk haulage company.  Nevertheless, the strategy that underpinned those modest beginnings is still at work today in an operation that encompasses over 1,000,000 ft² of warehousing space and a fleet of over 420 vehicles and trailers.

That strategy is shared-user services: a business model designed to help Boughey’s customers meet the availability and delivery targets of the multiple grocery retailers while driving down costs and allowing as much control as possible to remain with suppliers.

With 30 to 40 of Boughey’s larger customers providing a backbone to support shared user warehousing and 135 smaller clients contributing top-up stock in shared deliveries, it’s a system that offers flexibility, efficiency and economy for all parties.

Central to its success has been the drive by retailers over the last 10 years to push stock back up the supply chain, leading to a need for leaner, more frequent deliveries to RDCs of the kind Boughey is perfectly placed to provide.

So while ‘little and often’ means frequent, wasteful part-load deliveries for supplier dedicated operations, the critical mass of similar products being delivered to the same delivery points by Boughey means they can establish regular fixed booking times for consolidated loads in a seamless service that benefits retailers and suppliers alike.

Boughey MD Keith Forster believes it is an offer that can only grow in appeal as consolidation becomes essential for any business that wants to remain competitive:

“With moves by the IGD to champion consolidation on a cost and sustainability basis, we’re seeing major players like Nestlé, United Biscuits and others seeking to share space on one another’s delivery fleets to create consolidated loads. While it’s a radically different way of doing business to them, it’s second nature to us.

“No-one is in a better position to offer a more complete consolidated solution. Our relationship with the major multiples, particularly as nominated PCCs for Tesco, Sainsbury and Somerfield, gives us real insight into the demands of the retailers and the potential issues confronting suppliers.”

The Boughey service is supported by an advanced stock control IT infrastructure providing accurate and timely information to aid the flow through of suppliers’ products to retailers. The company also takes care of Chep pallet management, relieving customers of what can be a time consuming and costly responsibility, and provides a full onsite co-packing service.

The end result is a total shared consolidation platform that’s flexible and dynamic enough to cope with the demands of today’s fast moving retail industry… and whatever challenges that lie ahead over the next thirty years.