Redditch company's partnership with Spar in running for national award (From Halesowen News)

Redditch company's partnership with Spar in running for national award

7:20am Thursday 9th August 2012 in Business Daily

A PARTNERSHIP including a Redditch-based firm is in the running for a food industry award.

Logistics company Oakland International and Spar UK’s national consolidation scheme has been selected as a finalist in the Ian MacLaurin Award for Supply Chain Excellence Award, as part of the 2012 IGD food industry awards.

Spar UK and Oakland’s collaboration is aimed at reducing Spar’s overall carbon footprint, improving freshness and availability of product in stores and reducing wastage.

The scheme involves collaboration throughout the supply chain, including Spar central office, retailers and their suppliers as well as Oakland International.

Vinesh Patel, Spar UK supply chain controller, said: “Since we launched our consolidation scheme three years ago, we have been able to deliver exceptional results in areas including improving freshness, availability of product, reduction of waste and reduced numbers of vehicles arriving at depots.

“I am delighted that both companies are being recognised as a finalist for such a prestigious award.”

Dean Attwell, Oakland International managing director, said: “Oakland International and Spar UK make a fantastic team, as both companies are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and in ongoing renewable innovations to make this an even more sustainable and efficient supply chain initiative.”

Tarun Patel, IGD’s director of supply chain and award judge said: “The finalists for this year’s Ian MacLaurin Award for Supply Chain Excellence have showed not only great vision but also strong and successful execution in their supply chains.

“The changes they have made go above and beyond the requirements for day-to-day trading.”

The Ian MacLaurin Award is given to a company that has had a quantifiable impact on the supply chain.