From July 2010 the 300 to 400 tonne per week new venture between the two Southampton based businesses, will see Meachers Global Logistics use its fleet of 75 articulated vehicles to support Red Funnel’s UK customer freight collections that are bound for the Isle of Wight.

Commenting on the partnership, Gary Whittle, Meachers Global Logistics, Commercial Director said: “We are looking forward to supporting Red Funnel Distribution. As a national logistics company our skills, knowledge and expertise will complement Red Funnel’s high service levels and help the company to drive efficiencies.”

John Rayner, Red Funnels Freight and Distribution Director, added: “Meachers Global Logistics is ideally placed to support our distribution team in providing a fast and professional UK wide collection service. We are delighted to be working with the Company. ”

Meachers Global Logistics is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of logistics services. For over 50 years, the company has built an enviable reputation by providing customers with complete solutions to their Freight Forwarding, Supply Chain Management, Warehousing, Distribution, Logistics and Contract Management, Training and Advisory requirements. The company is a co-founder and shareholder of national logistics group LinQ Alliance.

Red Funnel Ferries and Red Funnel Distribution provide a range of comprehensive freight services that take the thorn out of delivering goods to or from the Isle of Wight. With depots in Southampton and Newport, Red Funnel Distribution is the Isle of Wight’s largest freight transport operator. Specialising in Contract Distribution, Drop-Trailer Services, UK to Isle of Wight Full Loads, Groupage/Palletised services and Home Delivery, they are also the Island distributor for BOC Gases.

Meachers Global Logistics, one of the UK’s leading independent providers of logistics services has announced entering into a partnership agreement with international business-to-business express delivery provider TNT.

From June 2010 the significant new venture between the Southampton based business and the global giant, will see Meachers Global Logistics use part of its substantial fleet of articulated vehicles to trunk freight overnight from TNT’s regional facility in Southampton to its national sorting hub based in the Midlands.

The move follows Meachers Global Logistics recently announcing that it has entered into an agreement with Red Funnel Distribution, to support the company with its UK collections.

Commenting on the partnership, Gary Whittle, Meachers Global Logistics, Commercial Director said: “We are delighted to be working with a household brand like TNT. This is our second major partnership announcement in the last two months and we are continuing to look at ways to collaborate with other industry partners.”

Jon Hadley, General Manager, TNT Southampton added: “Meachers Global Logistics is ideally placed to support our Southampton regional facility with an overnight trunking service to our Midlands distribution hub. The company operates a fast, efficient and effective service and I am looking forward to working in partnership with the team. ”

Meachers Global Logistics is one of the UK’s leading independent providers of logistics services. For over 50 years, the company has built an enviable reputation by providing customers with complete solutions to their Freight Forwarding, Supply Chain Management, Warehousing, Distribution, Logistics and Contract Management, Training and Advisory requirements. The company is a co-founder and shareholder of national logistics group LinQ Alliance.

Southampton headquartered Meachers Global Logistics, one of the UK’s leading independent providers of logistics services announced that it has gained Customs Simplification certification as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) and is on track to meet the Security standard early in 2010. The HM Revenue and Customs EU wide accreditation will prove increasingly beneficial to Meachers Global Logistics and its customers as regulations tighten over the next two years.

AEO is a voluntary compliance and security standard and is similar to the US Customs and Trade Partnership Against Terror that was introduced in the USA following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Similar standards are being introduced across the world and include such countries as Canada, China and India. AEO helps to enhance supply chain security by granting recognition to those audited organisations meeting the highest compliance standards in all aspects of their operations, and by encouraging continual best practice.

HM Revenue and Customs operates three levels of accreditation: Customs Simplification, Security and the two combined, Customs Simplification and Security Certification.

Meachers Global Logistics received a certificate for Customs Simplification following a period of assessment and the submission of extensive documentation. Areas of scrutiny included the robustness of computer systems and hardware, network security, contingency planning; training Customs compliance and quality assurance processes. The Company anticipates applying for and being awarded Security status early in 2010. The Application is now in progress following a delay whilst one of its major premises completed refurbishment.

Commenting on the success, Rob Lewis, International Operations Director, said: “The process has improved and strengthened us as an organisation, we expect AEO to become a growing requirement. As customers become more aware of AEO we believe that tenders are likely to stipulate it as a requirement and we anticipate it becoming an industry standard. After 6 audits I’m delighted that we passed stage one and anticipate being granted approval for stage two in the spring of next year.”

 IN AID OF NAOMI HOUSE AND CEDAR SCHOOL

 BRAMSHAW GOLF CLUB FRIDAY 2^ND JULY 2010

18-Hole Stableford Competition on the Manor Course

•  Coffee and Bacon Roll on Arrival
•  Gala Dinner at the Pavilion in Romsey from 7.30pm.  3-Course Dinner, Presentations and Prize-Giving, Auction, Live Music and Dancing.
•  Team of 4 including 4 places at the gala dinner, £500 plus VAT
•  Team of 4 excluding tickets for the gala dinner, £400 plus VAT
•  Additional places at the Gala Dinner for partners and guests, £50 plus VAT per person.
•  Table of 8 for the Gala Dinner excluding the golf, £400 plus VAT
•  Hole sponsorship available at £75 plus VAT per hole.

For further information and a booking form, please contact Stuart Terris at:

Meachers Global Logistics
Mauretania Road
Nursling
Southampton
SO16 0YS
Tel: (023) 80741515
email: sterris@meachersglobal.com

Event kindly supported by A&A Business Supplies and Condor Office Solutions

CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 

Meachers Global Logistics always seek to act in a responsible manner, considering, whenever practical, the impact our actions have on our stakeholders, staff, society and the environment.

Our corporate and social responsibility objective is to manage the complexity of balancing our social and environmental responsibilities with our economic objectives, in order to fulfil our stakeholder demands.  Aiming at all times to have a positive effect on wider society, our people and the environment. 

Within this section of our document we will highlight the following areas and how we communicate them: 

• Health & Safety
• Environmental
• Community relations
• Training
• Equal opportunities
• Ethical code of practice

We have individual policies covering all aspects of the above.

Health & Safety

Meachers Global Logistics is fully committed to achieving high standards of health and safety and having safe working environments, and that all operations carried out by the company are in accordance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. 

The Directors will provide, as far as is reasonably practicable, healthy and safe working conditions and ensure that all work will be carried out with minimum risk to the health and safety of all persons affected by the company’s activities. 

The Directors will ensure the legal obligations of the company and its employees are observed. 

Meachers Global Logistics will seek to continuously improve health and safety within the company and give our staff, clients and supply chain stakeholders a safe place of work.

We hold dedicated Health & Safety meetings and our standards are communicated to all staff via team meetings, seminars, workshops and via our intranet and internal memos.

Environmental and Community Relations 

Our Environmental Policy sets out our commitment to constantly consider and take every reasonable measure to conduct our business operations in a responsible and safe manner to minimise our impact on the environment.

We will comply with the requirements of all relevant environmental legislation and regulations that relate to our business operations.

Where we have the ability to influence or actively promote and encourage best practice in sustainable operations, both in the purchasing of equipment and the use of sustainable materials and products, we will endeavour to do so.  We minimise the amount of waste generated by our operations, and ensure that ‘a duty of care’ is observed when being disposed of. 

We re-use or recycle materials wherever practical. 

We have adopted a positive approach to reducing our carbon footprint with our target being that our administrative offices will achieve neutral status as soon as practically possible.

Training and equality

Meachers Global Logistics is an equal opportunity employer and is fully committed to a policy of treating all its employees and job applicants equally.  No job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the ground of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, gender, religious belief, sexual orientation, age, marital or civil partnership status, disability or is disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.

All employees will be given equal opportunity and, where appropriate, special training to progress within the organisation.

Ethical code of practice

Meachers Global Logistics is committed to maintaining utmost integrity in all our dealings and by the example of the Directors and Senior Managers installing within the Company the highest levels of ethical behaviour. 

We operate on the abiding principle that the rights and interests of others must be respected and safeguarded and that no harm or detriment should come to those around us.

We will always conduct our business affairs honestly and in compliance with all the relevant laws and moral obligations, working with and retaining only those suppliers and subcontractors that do likewise.

At all times, we strive to be rational, fair and objective in our actions and advise and never discriminate on the grounds of personal disability, age, gender, race or religious belief. 

We shall preserve client confidentiality and intellectual property rights and maintain commercial probity in all our financial dealings and accounting processes. 

We communicate and promote the application of ethical values to our business life externally by ongoing regular performance reviews with our clients, and internally in a cultural manner with our staff in their day to day activities and at regular company team meetings. 

Implementation

The board of directors are responsible for implementing and advising on policy.  Each member of staff is issued with a copy of our policy upon joining the company; it is made available on our intranet and is displayed on company notice boards.  Meachers Global Logistics is committed to a programme of action to make this policy fully effective throughout the business.

Bob Terris, Managing Director, Meachers Global Logistics

Businesses are continually evolving and changing shape and that is certainly true of Meachers.  The company has come a long way from Fred Meachers Totton based coal range and delivery service.  It’s been a family business, in public ownership and is now one of the UK’s leading independent logistics providers – not bad for a company that was based in Westfield Road, Totton and comprised of a gravel yard and old nissen hut for an office.

I left grammar school in Bristol at 16 and joined the management training programme of a printing and packaging machine company.  Within a short space of time I had become fascinated by the process of distribution, warehousing and stock movement, or, what we today term as logistics and the future direction of my career was clear.

My parents moved to Southampton when I was 17 and I joined the Meachers family run business as a traffic operator. In those days, the company was just a transport business and we used to do a lot of work locally, including moving fruit from the docks.

During the heydays of the industry in the 60’s I started developing my business skills and advanced through the company.  They were great days and following a string of acquisitions the business started to expand and take shape. We doubled the size of the transport operation, added warehousing facilities and relocated our premises to what would turn out to be a prime location on West Quay Road.  It was a decision that changed the direction of Meachers and also catapulted me into the world of plc’s.  A challenge that I could never be prepared for!

In 1981, Meachers received a surprise approach from Pirelli. The multi national needed access to the waterfront at 102 dock having won a big cable contract, but our site was in the way.  After a period of stalemate, the firm had no option but to offer to buy the business and we became a subsidiary of Pirelli Cables.  It was during this period that the remaining founding family members retired and I became Managing Director.  It was a steep learning curve understanding the bureaucracy and intricacies of plc life, but I was keen to learn and Pirelli left me at arms length to develop the business.

During the 80’s our growth strategy combined both organic business development and acquisitions.  I had the opportunity to diversify the business and the seeds were sown for a group that could provide complete logistics solutions thorough the combination of transport, warehousing, freight forwarding and vehicle maintenance. During the period Meachers acquired a number of businesses including Hunt Transport, Southampton Road Transport, KL Commercial and in 1989 Oast Agencies, a well know freight forward business and Meachers Group Holdings was formed.

In the 90’s, Meachers Group Holdings continued to expand, but our parent company was facing tough market conditions.  Its advisors were suggesting restructuring and a return to core business.  The ideas of a management buy-out was proposed and initially shunned, but after a period of deadlock and tough discussions taking almost five years, in 1996 I completed the final element of a phased management buy-out.

The group marched on with a renewed vigour and focus following the management buy-out.  We opened new premises in Derby and adjusted the offering by selling our commercial garage.  The business was strengthened by the appointment of key staff and four new directors.  We also looked at the needs and demands of the market place and devised a strategic development programme. This included the recent rebranding exercise that has resulted in formation of Meachers Global Logistics.

Sitting here in our facility in Nursling – an acquisition I advised Pirelli against making many years ago – I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved. I’m surrounded by good people, including my sons Stuart and Jamie, we have great facilities, a modern wholly owned fleet and are one of the UK’s leading providers of logistics services.   Will I retire?  Of course I will. When the time is right, Stuart will take over as managing director, I have a succession plan, and will move into the role of Chairman.

I’m often asked who has influenced my business life.  My father taught me two very important lessons, don’t expect anything for nothing and treat people the way you would want to be treated.  I’ve tried to adhere to those rules and have always tried to lead by example.  This industry is in my blood and I still really enjoy it. It’s hard work, but then I’ve never been afraid of that, I’m very hands on and know my Father would be immensely proud of what I’ve achieved.

Outside of Meachers I’ve been involved with many industry groups and associations, but for relaxation I’ve always enjoyed and supported sport. I think that team sports should be encouraged amongst the next generation as they are great for development and building character.  I’m a keen golfer and of course a Saints fan and I also enjoy travelling.  There are always new places to see and experiences to be had.

Home has been in the New Forest for almost 30 years with my wife Josie. We have a wide and diverse circle of friends and are an active part of the community. I’m also a proud Grandad to Ethan and Luke, who knows?, perhaps future directors of Meachers Global Logistics?

Lionvest’s decision to move it’s warehousing to Meachers was based on Meachers ability to offer a state-of-the-art facility and easy access to the motorway network. Meachers outstanding customer service, long warehouse opening hours, excellent security systems and ability to provide a turnkey operation helped seal the deal.

“The relationship with our warehouse and its staff is a fundamental part of the smooth running of our business and the lynchpin of our commitment to excellent customer service”, said Mark Warrington, Transport Manager at Lionvest Trading (UK). “Meachers will ensure that Lionvest’s stock can now be moved with a minimum of delay to anywhere within the UK within 48 hours from order”, he concluded.

Meachers innovative warehouse system allows customers easy access to current stock levels and movement figures over the Internet to provide them with accurate, timely and complete visibility of information across the supply chain. The system uses radio and barcode scanning technology to scan goods in and out of its warehouses and provides flexible communication facilities to interface with a variety of other systems.

“As the business climate becomes more competitive, it is becoming more important for logistics companies to react faster, provide more innovative products and remain competitive”, said Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics. “Meachers particular mix of hi-tech warehousing, transport, facilities management and freight forwarding is providing a win, win situation for our customers.”

The information provided by the Quartix technology is helping Meachers reduce fuel costs, improve operating efficiency and safeguard both the vehicle and driver.  It is also providing information regarding fuel efficiency, vehicle speeds, loading and unloading times and on time collection/delivery performance.

“The Quartix system gives us an instant, online snapshot of where any one of our vehicles is at any given time. It provides an accurate breakdown of the miles covered, the average speed, and whether or not they’re using the direct route”, said Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics.   “It is working really well enabling us to identify any problems that may arise on the driver’s route and resolving them with the driver or the customer.”

Carried out by Eastleigh based HP Contracts, the refurbishment includes the building of an extension to double the size of Meachers Transport’s traffic office from 77 to 154 square metres.   Undertaken over a three-month period, the work has included the total reconfiguration of the building to provide new administrative and management offices, a new entrance and reception area and conference room.

The company’s freight forwarding office, also at Nursling, has been given a similar makeover with the company more than doubling its administrative area by expanding into the adjacent building.  To cater for an expansion in warehousing contracts, Meachers has contracted HP Contracts to reconfigure its existing racking and install new racking.

The fitout included the installation of new ceilings, partitioning, lighting and an entrance porch as well as the refurbishment of kitchens, cloakrooms and stairwells.

“We are delighted with our refurbished buildings which provides us with a functional and prestigious headquarters that reflects our status as a leading UK logistics provider”, says Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics.  “HP Contract has done an excellent job which was completed on time and within budget”, he concluded.

The new facilities, contracted from April, bring the total amount of warehousing managed by the company to in excess of 300,000sq-ft.  Meachers Global Logistics now runs seven warehouse facilities at its two locations in Derby and Southampton.

Both operations will continue to manage a flow of goods and services for customers to ensure the seamless operation of products from initial collection through to final distribution. The warehousing operation will include a range of facilities including devanning, palletising and storage, picking, labelling and distribution to customers throughout the UK.

Commenting, Gary Whittle, Commercial Director of Meachers Global Logistics says: “These are exciting new facilities for Meachers which enable us to broaden our warehousing, distribution and reworking services. With our particular mix of warehousing, transport, facilities management and freight forwarding, Meachers is in an excellent position to offer complete logistics solutions to both potential and existing customers.”

Utilising its extensive experience and the latest design technology Meachers manages all aspects of its customer’s warehousing needs from initial consultancy through to the project management of a total supply chain solution.   One focused point of contact ensures an efficient and trouble-free service enabling customers to save time, money and effort.