Co-op has selected Wincanton to run a new regional distribution centre in the East Midlands.
The three-year contract will see the logistics firm managing all delivery operations from the facility in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire.
Supported by a staff of around 500 people and 170 drivers, the centre will house stock for distribution to nearby stores.
The two companies worked together to build and open the site in under six months. Wincanton already services The Co-op’s depots in Lea Green, Merseyside and Cardinal, Cambridgeshire.
A spokesperson from The Co-op said: “During our long-standing relationship, Wincanton has delivered a proactive service on projects like this previously. We have confidence in them to deliver an efficient start up for this new facility in support of our growth and this was a key reason for their selection.”
Ian Keilty, MD of retail and consumer at Wincanton, said the centre “will help The Co-op manage increasing demand and support their growth plans, while creating around 500 jobs for people in the surrounding area.
“We have drawn on our shared experience of working together for 25 years, creating a team from both businesses in order to develop a new distribution centre from inception to go-live in under six months – well done and thank you to all involved!
“This new contract underlines our position as the UK’s leading logistics provider for convenience retail and our ambition to support our customers to realise their ambitions in the rapidly growing convenience market.”
In February, the retailer announced that it is trialling home delivery using Deliveroo from a number of its London stores.
