TDG juggles distribution nscarnetsognn'ss
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• The Transport Development Group is to cut the number of companies in its distribution division from eight to four in a rationalisation programme that the company insists will not cost jobs, reduce fleet sizes or affect contracts. The moves take effect from 1 July.
Three of TDG's subsidiaries will disappear: Spurling and Transcontainer Express will merge with Beck & Pollitzer, and Automated Warehousing will become part of Harris Distribution. The fate of Firth Distribution has yet to be decided.
The changes will leave Albany specialising in the drinks market with Beck & Pollitzer targeting the industrial sector and Harris concentrating on food. Williams Bros will continue to handle regional distribution.
A previous rationalisation programme which has been going on since Christmas will continue with sites in Greater Manchester at risk.
Paul Carvell, who was poached from TNT last year to head Spurting, will become managing director of Beck & Pollitzer, while John Greet of Automated Warehousing takes the reins at Harris. Former Harris managing director Peter O'Keefe will launch a new TDG distribution central planning department, while Beck & Potlitzer managing director Andrew Cardle will take on a special projects role at group level. Doug Taylor and Philip Honor will remain as managing directors of Albany and Williams Bros, now Williams Distribution.
All four of the new trading companies will adopt the TDG juggler logo alongside their own liveries. However, Williams Bros' red dragon emblem will disappear. TDG has been keen to give its diverse subsidiaries a more prominent corporate identity for some time.
TDG's distribution division employs a workforce of 3,500 from 72 depots, operating nearly 1,000 trucks.
Last year it made a £10m profit. The group says existing contracts and their managers will be transferred to one of the new trading companies where necessary.