Merlin aims for Marque
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• Merlin Distribution is trying to cast off the spell of former parent company Heron by breaking into the lucrative—but elusive—milk haulage sector.
The former Heron Distribution blames its association with the troubled Gerald Ronson-owned Heron International group for its failure to win any of the 23 Milk Marque contracts it bid for last year. And it unsuccessfully bid for contracts at Cardiff and Preston this year.
Now, under a new name since its .£12m management buy-out this summer, it plans to compete for any of up to 35 contracts which could come up for tender next year (CM 1-7 September).
The company, which operates 300 trucks, is keen to expand into tanker haulage through the milk and fuel markets.
This summer Heron lost two major contracts worth up to
Dm a year. But, it says the revenue lost from the Gateway and Tiger Print deals have since been made up.
CI Merlin will open a 13,900m2 multi-drop site south of Northampton in November. It expects the move will create at least 20 driver jobs.