Smiths News, the UK’s leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler, has awarded a contract to transport operator CM Downton covering daily trunking operations between its magazines hub in Hemel Hempstead and depots in Stevenage and Hornsey. The contract starts in June 2017 and includes morning, afternoon and evening deliveries and returns between the sites. It was awarded after competitive tender, with Downton’s experience in the UK print and paper sector being a key factor in the decision.
The magazines distribution hub in Hemel Hempstead serves other Smiths News depots throughout the south east. In total Smith News operates 39 sites serving 30,000 customers to deliver well over half of all newspapers and magazines read throughout the country. News production is a 24-hour business which means that supply chains have to be highly efficient and flexible, with the ability to manage deliveries as well as returns from retailers. Downton meets these challenges with regular deliveries and collections to and from local depots throughout the day.
This is Downton’s first direct contract with Smiths News although the company has been making deliveries into the wholesaler’s depots as part of its operations for other clients who feed into the extensive UK news and print delivery network.
David Hutchings, Head of Business Development at CM Downton, said: “We support many businesses throughout the south east and have a significant fleet in the region which has allowed us to configure this additional contract into our existing operations while also identifying cost benefits for the customer. Hemel Hempstead is close to our own facility in Dunstable which enables us to offer local support whenever it’s needed. It is another example of how we can use our expertise and experience in the paper and print sectors to devise innovative and cost-effective solutions for our customers.”
