Tesco to combine more loads
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• Tesco plans to cut the number of trucks used to supply its regional distribution depots, threatening sub-contractor work all over the country.
Each supplier previously organised transport of its own products, but now the supermarket wants to consolidate loads to ensure that trucks run full.
A spokesman says: "The problem has been that some suppliers, especially the smaller ones, run half-empty vehicles. Not only is this environmentally unfriendly, but it can clog up our depots with queues of trucks."
Now Tesco plans to use one haulier in each region to collect all supplies for the distribution depots. The supermarket chain already controls its own distribution from distribution centres to individual stores.
A pilot scheme running in north-east England is using Boroughbridge haulier Reed Bordall Transport.
Tesco chairman Sir Ian MacLaurin says: "This simple but important initiative will mean better
vehicle utilisation all round.
Sainsbun,-'s already has single operators picking up and consolidating fresh produce from large numbers of suppliers before delivery to distribution centres.