Co-op extends supply chain deal with Wincanton for five years

The five-year extension was awarded by Co-op in recognition of the “successful collaboration”​ between the two companies over the past 30 years.

Under the new agreement, Wincanton will continue to provide the grocer with facilities management and distribution services from a 340,000 square foot Co-op regional distribution centre based in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.

The operation has been managed by Wincanton since 2019, and serves nearly 350 stores located across the Midlands, South East and East of England. More than 750,000 chilled, ambient and frozen cases of goods are delivered from the site each week, while around 600 members of staff are involved.

Ian Gibb, director of logistics at Co-op, said that the retailer was pleased continue its long-term relationship with Wincanton.

“Working closely with our partners, our depots play a vital role in ensuring that Co-op products are freshly delivered and conveniently available in towns, villages and cities across the UK – when and where our member-owners and customers shop with us,”​ Gibb added.

Wincanton values align with Co-op

In addition to Co-op, Wincanton works with businesses including Asda, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Britvic and Coca-Cola, and boasts a fleet of 6,700 vehicles. It also provides distribution services to Fentimans, signing a five-year contract extension with the soft drinks brand in May 2024.​​

“We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Co-op and look forward to continuing to provide outstanding service, which we’re seeking to enhance even further,”​ said the firm’s managing director of grocery and consumer James Hurrell.

“Our values around safety, social value and sustainability align with those of Co-op making this a truly collaborative partnership in every sense.”​

Across the UK, Co-op operates almost 2,400 food stores and provides products to more than 6,000 other stores, including those run by independent co-operative societies and through its wholesale business Nisa.

In other news, Modern Baker has secured listings with Sainsbury’s and Morrisons for its re-engineered UPF bread brand Superloaf.​​