Gist extends 35 year Marks & Spencer relationship with major food contract extension
Supply chain specialist Gist is celebrating extending its successful 35 year partnership with Marks & Spencer (M&S) after being awarded an extension to its food logistics contract. The contract covers the retailer’s growing food business until 2011, confirming it as one of the UK’s largest food logistics contracts.
Gist has managed the distribution of chilled and ambient foods for Marks & Spencer since their partnership began in 1970. By creating a robust and highly efficient supply network, Gist has been an integral partner in the growth of Marks & Spencer’s food business.
Ian Mumby, Marks & Spencer’s Head of Food Supply Chain, said: “This contract extension builds on our existing relationship with Gist. It will allow us to drive further improvements in service and efficiency within the food supply chain, as we continue to grow our food business.”
Gist currently supplies 420 M&S stores nationwide and has six distribution centres dedicated to M&S. In response to M&S’ growth in the food sector it is re-configuring a seventh site currently used for handling overflow and M&S customer orders during the weeks leading up to Christmas. The site, at Thornbury near Bristol, will be converted from an ambient to chilled warehouse to initially serve M&S stores across South Wales and the South West from 2006.
Martin Gwynn, managing director of Gist, commented: “This important long term contract is a reflection of the immense success of our 35-year partnership with M&S. We have built one of the world’s most sophisticated logistics operations to serve them and invested in the latest industry-leading technology and IT systems to maximise speed, accuracy and cost efficiency.”
Gwynn concluded: “Gist continues to make investments to ensure reduced food miles and lower costs. The long-term M&S contract means we can develop our logistics operations further providing even greater competitive advantage.”
17 November 2005
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Notes to editors:
Gist
Gist combines leading edge experience and expertise to transform supply chains. With industry-specific understanding, know-how and excellence, Gist’s solutions bring end-to-end visibility and implementation, from concept to delivery.
Gist, based in the United Kingdom, has its head office in Basingstoke in Hampshire. However, Gist’s 5,500 employees operate out of 30 locations, providing a full range of intellectual and asset-based business offerings in the UK, continental Europe, Asia, Australasia and North America.
Gist’s customers (including Woolworths, Marks & Spencer, Carlsberg UK, Ocado, British Airways and Budgens) operate in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, including grocery, electronics, apparel and gas.
As part of The BOC Group, which serves two million customers in more than 50 countries, Gist also benefits from BOC’s global capability, synergy and scale.
