A Winning Partnership: DGL and The Compleat Food Group
Last week, we were honoured to attend the BIFA Freight Forwarding 2024 Awards—a fantastic event as always! This year was particularly special for Denholm Good Logistics (DGL), as we proudly took home the Ocean Services Award 2024.
Tom Reid, our Director of Retail Sales, who collected the award on our behalf, reflected on the achievement:
“It was a huge honour to accept this award on behalf of Denholm Good Logistics. This recognition is a testament to the dedication and collaboration of both DGL and The Compleat Food Group (CFG). Together, we’ve achieved remarkable results, including a 76% reduction in carbon emissions and significant cost savings. None of this would have been possible without the strong partnership we’ve built over the past nine years.”
Our partnership with The Compleat Food Group epitomises the potential of honest and transparent collaboration in the Food and FMCG sectors. By aligning our goals and fostering a solution-driven approach, we’ve enabled CFG to focus on growing their business while we deliver sustainable and efficient logistics solutions.
Transforming Supply Chains with Ocean Services
The heart of this award-winning collaboration lies in a shared vision to revolutionise CFG’s supply chain. When we first began working together, CFG’s operations were fragmented, with each division working independently, leading to inefficiencies in cost management, transportation methods, and site alignment. DGL recognised the opportunity to unify these operations into a cohesive, optimised supply chain.
Through detailed audits, site visits, and a deep understanding of CFG’s needs, DGL identified road freight as a major challenge, particularly for goods transported from the EU. This reliance on road transport not only drove up costs but also disrupted supply chains post-Brexit and increased the group’s carbon footprint.
To address this, we proposed a strategic shift to sea freight, a move that reduced CO2 emissions by an impressive 76% and significantly lowered transportation costs. Sea freight also provided a more reliable and predictable alternative, stabilising the supply chain while supporting CFG’s sustainability goals.
Our tailored, phased approach ensured a smooth transition. Quarterly reviews, strategic planning sessions, and extended free time from UK carriers allowed for greater flexibility and efficiency. Proactive measures such as direct container loading at the point of origin further minimised road freight reliance, delivering additional cost and environmental benefits.
Sustainability at the Core
Sustainability has been a cornerstone of our collaboration. By partnering with organisations such as ClimatePartner and EcoTransit, we’ve enabled CFG to track and offset their carbon emissions effectively. These efforts align with both companies’ commitments to reducing environmental impact and fostering greener supply chains.
The partnership also includes robust forecasting and peak-period planning, ensuring high demand is met efficiently without incurring unnecessary costs. For instance, our port-centric warehouses provide additional storage during critical holiday periods, helping CFG maintain seamless operations.
Gavin Wenborn, Group Transport Manager at The Compleat Food Group, captured the essence of our partnership:
“Over the last nine years, we’ve developed a strong partnership with Denholm Good Logistics. Partnership is the key word—I genuinely believe that CFG’s aims are DGL’s aims. Together, we’ve created a significantly more sustainable supply chain, and we look forward to continuing this work.”
Celebrating Success, Looking Ahead
Winning the Ocean Services Award 2024 is a celebration of what’s possible when two organisations come together with a shared vision. Together, we’ve transformed CFG’s supply chain, achieving sustainable growth and operational excellence.
This award is more than just recognition—it’s a reflection of the passion, commitment, and innovative thinking that both DGL and CFG bring to the table. Here’s to continued success as we navigate the future of logistics, sustainability, and collaboration!
Watch Tom Reid collect the BIFA award for Ocean Services 2024 here (interview about 9 mins in) CLICK HERE
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