New deal with wnDirect supports Menzies’ third-party logistics market strategy
International e-commerce delivery business wnDirect has appointed Menzies Distribution as one of its supply chain providers in a move that underlines the press distributor’s ambitions in the logistics sector.
Menzies drivers will collect packaged orders from wnDirect’s growing portfolio of retail customers and deliver these to processing centres in Derbyshire and Kent to be combined for export loads. Beginning with 12 routes this month, Menzies will increase its activity until it is handling all of wnDirect’s current range of 60 collection routes by early October.
Forsyth Black, Managing Director of Menzies Distribution, said: “This is a major milestone in our efforts to develop a broader logistics offering, building on the strengths of the press distribution business. The services we will provide wnDirect give us the opportunity to use our network resources during daylight hours, bringing additional revenue into the business and gaining more value from the company’s investment in depots and vans.”
wnDirect works with a wide range of retailers to support their international growth plans, using a range of innovative solutions to help overcome the challenges of cross border trade. Its customers include well-known names such as ASOS and Boohoo. The company, which started trading in 2011, now employs 80 people and has a turnover of £83m. It was recognised as ‘New Business of the Year’ at the National Business Awards in 2013.
Jonathan Matchett, UK Managing Director of wnDirect said: “We were attracted to Menzies because of their established network reach and track record of managing multiple, time-sensitive routes. Our customers need a simple, fast and effective service and Menzies can deliver that. We are committed to supporting our retailer partners to enhance their customer satisfaction levels through a successful delivery supply chain, which is particularly important as we enter the peak period leading up to Christmas. We recognised that Menzies shares our approach to using innovation and technology to improve the customer experience.
Earlier this year Menzies bought AJG Parcels of Inverness to allow it to enter the growing e-commerce parcel market, specialising in hard-to-reach areas where it will act as a neutral consolidation partner for major parcel carriers.
The company also secured a store distribution deal with WH Smith in 2014 and has been providing similar services for Card Factory since July 2015.
