It is great to have Innovate on board at Bardon and to see the warehouse operating well. The weekend has delivered precisely the low key and seamless handover everybody worked hard to achieve. The change will have been invisible to our customers, which is a testament to all the hard work and effort that has been put in to the project…this really is the best possible start to the next 10 years.”  Ian Hill, Nestle
UK

Glowing reports like this are exactly what Innovate Logistics strives to achieve 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As the
UK’s largest temperature controlled storage and distribution operation, Innovate takes pride in delivering goods on time and in prime condition.

The 3PL provider handles over 1.3 million cases per week for a range of clients, including blue-chips and household names like Nestle
UK. With more than 2 million square feet of temperature controlled storage space and a transport fleet of 550-plus vehicles it offers complete, hi-tech supply chain solutions. A strategic alliance with Iceland-based transport and logistics group Eimskip gives Innovate further European reach via ocean freight, reefer logistics and air freight.

Increasing demand in the FMCG supply chain for precision timing and flexible volumes requires a sophisticated approach. Innovate’s aim is to provide value-creating solutions that exceed expectations and position the provider as a natural extension of its clients’ own organisations. The supply chain expert is committed to introducing innovative practices which reduce environmental impact and enhance the storage and distribution of goods. For instance, Innovate is raising the bar for greener cooling techniques by using non-ozone depleting refrigerants at its distribution centres across the
UK. Continual assessment of the marketplace and regular investment in cutting edge technologies and equipment ensure that Innovate – and its clients – are always one step ahead of the game.

“Technology is the key driver of today’s supply chain industry,” says Pete Osborne, managing director at Innovate. “In order to be the best, we invest in the most groundbreaking equipment we can lay our hands on to deliver an outstanding service to our customers. From our new fleet of fuel efficient Volvo Euro 4s to the Manhattan Warehouse Management system that we’re rolling out across our sites, we are always looking for ways to improve. This is a dynamic industry and efficiently coordinating the storage and flow of goods has progressively become more scientific as manufacturers and retailers demand precision timing at the lowest cost possible.”

“As supply chain management continues to demand more sophisticated procedures and planning, third party logistics is increasingly coming to the forefront. The sector persists in its shift towards what is likely to become a 4PL revolution. As greater volumes move between manufacturers and retailers up and down the supply chain, it is becoming common practice for the full logistics responsibility to be handed to one lead provider which manages the supply chain across multiple providers. As requirements become more advanced, it becomes less appropriate for people to make isolated decisions about logistics upstream in the supply chain process. An overarching vision from a third – or fourth – party is needed to ensure efficient and effective transportation of goods both up and down the supply chain.”

“Innovate provides a total solution for our needs”

An integrated national framework with strategically positioned logistics centres and transport bases enables Innovate to deliver flexible, customer-focused solutions throughout the
UK. Furthermore, ongoing investment into sophisticated warehouse management systems means that stock fluctuation can be anticipated, leading to more accurate planning inline with peaks and troughs in clients’ demands. This proactive forward thinking also helps to ensure multi-site compatibility.

“Innovate has great people who understand the supply chain, understand us, find new solutions… and deliver”

Realising that the industry is dynamic, interdependent and often cyclic in nature, Innovate ensures maximum visibility across the supply chain with close to real-time status information. This often leads to direct cost savings, reduced inventory and a reduction in associated holding costs. The entire Innovate team is dedicated to developing creative, customer-centric solutions and delivering consistently outstanding service as standard. Each facility is audited to benchmark financials, staffing and productivity rates and the IT infrastructure is regularly reviewed to determine where improvements need to be made.

“Innovate is the easiest logistics provider to deal with”

A commitment to picking accuracy combined with transparent, integrated processes means Innovate is a dream to work with. More exact management information driven by technologies that are compatible with clients’ own systems means that they can easily track activity and feel in control of their supply chain. In addition, the drive to keep costs down is an ongoing concern for Innovate. Processes become even more streamlined and efficient over time as new measures are introduced to reduce double handling and keep mileage to a minimum.

Innovate offers a full range of temperature controlled storage and distribution – from frozen to chilled to ambient. Specific areas of expertise include:

• Cold storage
• Chill storage
• Confectionery storage
• Cross docking
• Order picking chill
• Order picking frozen
• The chill and frozen distribution of fresh produce, vegetables, convenience meals, fish and meat

Additional special services include collection from factory and delivery to Innovate’s own distribution centres. Also, at customers’ request, onward delivery to retailers can be arranged as well as multi-drop distribution to food service customers across the
UK.

Innovate has logistics centres in Birmingham, Chesterfield, Newark, Scunthorpe, Worksop, Bristol and Nottingham, the home of the corporate headquarters, and transport bases in Leeds, Coupar Angus, Eye, Aberdeen, Merthyr Tydfill, Corby, Heywood and the Ardo premises in Ashford.