INNOVATIVE WORKING PRACTICES HELP SHEFFIELD LOGISITICS FIRM GROW
Wednesday, 12 October 2016
SHEPHERD Distribution Services have just
renewed their membership with LHUK, here we showcase how collaboration with
other logistics firms across the UK is helping them to grow.
Shepherd Distribution Services, which has
been established in Sheffield for more than 70 years, has seen business grow
thanks to two innovative ways of working.
Managing Director, Laurence Abel, explains:
“We are proud to be operating, what I believe is the only UK-wide groupage
distribution service for steel products. For most forms of freight, groupage
has long been the way to operate, except for heavy commodities, like steel.
“Our fleet of 35 flatbed trucks picks up
products from local Sheffield steelmakers, brings them to our specialised hub,
which is equipped with heavy duty overhead cranes and transfers the steel to
outbound trucks which deliver to all parts of the country. The same trucks pick
up steel from locations in outlying parts of the country and brings them back
to Sheffield.
“This means that we are fully utilising the
space available on all of our trucks and making the transporting of steel much
more affordable for businesses.”
Shepherd, who employ 120 people, are also
founder members of the innovative Palletline pallet network, which sees 70
members working together to distribute goods across the UK.
“Our
membership of Palletline means that we operate in the S and DN postcodes,
working with companies at other hubs we collect goods and then distribute via
our local postcodes.
“Our location is ideal as we are in the
centre of the UK and working in partnership with groups like Logistics Hub UK
(LHUK) we can help to raise the profile of the Sheffield City Region as the
place to do logistics business.
“Working together with other businesses has
enabled our business to grow and we believe that through LHUK we can grow even
more and form strong alliances which will help us to provide a real gateway to
the world from our region,” added Laurence.
Shepherd Distribution also have The Fleet Operator
Recognition Scheme (FORS) Gold award, an accreditation
encompassing safety, fuel efficiency, vehicle emissions and improved
operations.
“We
are looking forward to networking with other logistics companies at the next
LHUK event and hearing from the key note speakers,” concluded Laurence,
