Steve Porter Transport and Meachers unveil partnership
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By Chris Druce
MORE PARTNERSHIPS are “inevitable” as hauliers look to find further efficiencies within an increasingly competitive market, the architects of one such deal believe.
The Isle of Wight’s Steve Porter Transport Group and Southampton-based Meachers Global Logistics have unveiled a potentially multimillion pound tie-up, which will reduce duplication across their respective networks.
Chairman Steve Porter said: “More partnerships such as this one are inevitable. It has become harder to grow organically as a business.” Porter said the tie-up with Meachers plays to its regional strength and its partner’s national footprint, benefiting both businesses. “Both parties were clear from the [start] that we wanted to maintain our independence,” he added.
Initially, Meachers will trunk Steve Porter Transport’s overnight groupage loads from the Isle of Wight to its Midlands DCs in Northampton and Coventry for onward national distribution. The deal also includes work undertaken by Steve Porter Transport as part of the Fortec pallet network.
In turn, Steve Porter Transport, which acquired the distribution business of Red Funnel Ferries in June 2011 and is its preferred freight partner operating a bespoke drop-trailer operation for it, will bring in any consignments via Meachers destined for the isle.
Meachers MD Stuart Terris said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Isle of Wight’s largest independent freight carrier.
“The alliance is expected to provide significant opportunities for both businesses and we will be looking to promote the commercial advantages to supermarkets, retailers and organisations moving significant volumes of cross-Solent freight,” he said.