Business News

Oxford: Unipart Logistics secures five-year contract extension with Waterstones

Published by
TBM Team

Waterstones, the UK's leading high street bookseller, has extended its long-term partnership with Unipart Logistics for an additional five years. Unipart will continue to distribute books and related products to 280 shops, and to customers at home, from their 150,000 sq ft hub in Burton-on-Trent.

This new contract builds on the strength and success of the long-term relationship between Waterstones and Unipart, which saw the two companies collaboratively win four awards at the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards in 2015.

Beccy Preece, head of supply chain services at Waterstones said: "We've extended our contract because Unipart really understands our business and provides an excellent service. Over the past 10 years our needs have changed – along with the change in the way our customers buy books – and with the introduction of a greater, non-book range Unipart have adapted to support our needs and so have helped our business to grow."

Key to the successful partnership has been Unipart's innovative supply chain thinking and agile delivery of change. For instance over the past 18 months, Unipart has completely reconfigured the service to the stores to deliver a next day delivery service by harnessing the power of 'The Unipart Way', which is the company's proprietary business system for continuous improvement. In addition, Unipart has also helped Waterstones increase availability of new and old titles whilst still reducing the overall inventory holding.  

Claire Walters, chief commercial officer at Unipart Logistics said: "We are incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with Waterstones, and our contribution to the turnaround of the business over the past few years through intelligent supply chain decisions. Our team feel part of the Waterstones family, and are passionate about delivering exceptional and rapid service to Waterstones customers. We are looking forward to taking our partnership to a new level, through implementing innovative ideas and digital technology to further enhance the Waterstones supply chain."

For more information about Unipart Logistics, visit: unipartlogistics.com 

TBM Team

Recent Posts

Dyson launches £600 wet floor cleaner

Malmesbury-based Dyson has unveiled a sophisticated wet floor cleaner for hard floor surfaces. It will…

1 hour ago

Paris Smith named 'Large Firm of the Year' at the Hampshire Law Society Awards 2024

Paris Smith LLP has been named the ‘Large Firm of the Year’ at the Hampshire…

2 hours ago

Maximising value from employee benefits

Research* by Isio and YouGov, who surveyed over 7,000 private sector employees, has found that…

5 hours ago

Starboard Hotels opens new Gatwick Airport location after £14m refurb

Buckinghamshire-based Starboard Hotels has announced the opening of Ibis Styles Gatwick following a £14 million…

9 hours ago

Kent brewers Shepherd Neame awarded royal warrant

Independent family brewer and pub company Shepherd Neame has been granted use of the royal warrant by…

9 hours ago

Eight Arch Brewing Co expands to new Dorset HQ and taproom

An expanding brewery in Dorset has signed a 10-year lease on a new warehouse which…

9 hours ago