HAMPSHIRE logistics firm, Meachers Group, have landed a valuable deal to handle UK deliveries for one of the world’s largest packaging companies.

Meachers are taking over responsibility for all deliveries made from Huhtamaki’s site at Gosport.

Huhtamaki makes paper, plastic, films and moulded fibre products for grocery goods, fresh foods and the catering disposables market.

The long-term contract is an exciting achievement for Nursling-based Meachers, which beat off stiff competition from major rivals to win the account.

The company will be undertaking the delivery of pallets to locations throughout the UK and Ireland. Deliveries will be carried out using a combination of Meachers current and newly-acquired fleet, together with a sub-contracted element undertaken via Meachers’ partners, LinQ Alliance. Order processing will be carried out quickly and easily by making use of latest EDI technology at the firm’s disposal.

“Apart from the usual criteria of having an excellent reputation for service and a competitive pricing structure, our decision to appoint Meachers was also influenced by the advantages that Meachers is a local company with its own fleet,” said Gary Owen, warehouse and distribution manager at Huhtamaki UK.

“Of particular merit was Meachers’ membership of LinQ Alliance, which means that they will be sub-contracting to LinQ partners and will therefore have more control of shipments.”

To cater for the new Huhtamaki contract and other business won over the past six months, the Meachers Group has made a major investment of £2.5m in new vehicles. The company has purchased a total of 38 new tractor units and 40 new trailers as well as new vehicles for Oast Agencies. In addition, it has updated its management information system at the company’s warehouse facilities in Southampton and Derby to provide staff and customers with greater control of stock levels and transactions.

Stuart Terris, deputy group managing director, added: “We are delighted that Huhtamaki has chosen us to manage its national transport contract. This is not only a prestigious win for the group, but it strengthens our reputation in a demanding marketplace and also underlines the importance of being a member of LinQ Alliance with its unique approach to supply chain management.”