Gloucestershire-based CM Downton, one of the UK’s leading logistics and distribution companies, has sealed new and extended business contracts worth over £10 million after a period of strong summer trading.
Downton has refined its customer offering by embracing technology and leveraged its relationship with sister EV Cargo companies to deliver operational benefits and enhancing efficiency for customers.
The company has sealed a major distribution contract with Rolawn, Britain’s leading supplier of quality turf products, by offering an efficient one-stop solution for nationwide distribution. Downton will undertake deliveries direct to wholesale garden outlets and manage consolidation by using local delivery partners and sister company Palletforce to handle smaller consignments – boosting delivery efficiency and minimising costs.
Downton has also extended its contract with specialist container manufacturer Berry Promens, having provided transport services for the past two years. The extension will see Downton manage the transport from manufacturing plants at Deeside and Rushden, with a fleet investment in new higher trailers to further enhance utilisation.
A new contract win with Belgian logistics firm 2XL will see Downton distribute ambient food products arriving into Tilbury docks from the 2XL consolidation centre in Zeebrugge. Produce will be destined primarily for Aldi and Lidl regional distribution centres.
Downton is also undertaking warehousing and distribution at its Moreton Valence site for Pet Foods UK as part of a new agreement, which will see it store over 4,000 pallets and undertake distribution to both retailers and wholesalers. This includes an element of online sales fulfilment with smaller consignments handled by Palletforce.
The final tranche of new business is with Smith News and sees Downton use its unrivalled expertise in magazine distribution to consolidate freight from three different sites for onward transport.
Duncan Eyre, CM Downton managing director, said: “After announcing £30 million of new contract business in April this year, this series of additional long-term work marks a successful year for Downton as we focus on delivering on our growth strategy by providing integrated, technology-enabled solutions to the nation’s leading brands.
“We’ve added new clients and successfully developed current trading partnerships, building on Downton’s heritage of cultivating long-term relationships by supplying customer-focused, quality warehousing and distribution services.”
