Industry
Service
Marshalls is the UK’s leading manufacturer of sustainable products for the built environment. With a heritage of quality and innovation, it supplies materials for everything from iconic national landmarks to everyday homes and gardens. Whether paving at Wembley Stadium or garden kits for homeowners, Marshalls combines design, durability, and environmental responsibility to deliver trusted solutions across both commercial and retail markets.
Managing a fragmented supply chain and warehousing network created inefficiencies for Marshalls. Stock split across three inland warehouses slowed fulfilment and increased transport costs, while seasonal peaks and limited visibility added further pressure. Key challenges included:
- Slow customer fulfilment with stock across 3 inland warehouses in Peterborough, Coventry, and Halifax
- Rising demurrage charges during seasonal peaks due to lack of warehouse storage
- Damaged stock and high write-offs caused by weak inventory visibility
- Reliance on multiple shipping agents, escalating costs and reducing planning accuracy
- Limited real-time oversight of freight movements, reducing planning accuracy and product availability
Marshalls partnered with Denholm Good Logistics (DGL) to consolidate and centralise its supply chain, bringing freight, customs, and warehousing under one provider. DGL introduced a port-centric warehousing model at Felixstowe to replace the fragmented inland network, supported by freight expertise, integrated systems, and dedicated account management. This unified approach transformed Marshalls’ operations, with key improvements including:
- Consolidated storage to one strategically located, port-centric warehouse at Felixstowe
- Coordinated freight planning and container control, cutting demurrage costs
- 5 daily cycle counts with ERP integration, protecting stock accuracy and minimising write-offs
- Freight cost optimisation through competitive rates and access to established trade lane networks
- Integrated IT platforms (Connect and Microsoft D365) providing real-time visibility of stock and shipments
The partnership with DGL has reshaped Marshalls’ supply chain into a leaner, faster, and more resilient model. By consolidating warehousing and freight operations, the business has cut costs, strengthened reliability, and improved agility to meet both seasonal surges and high-profile project demand. The measurable results include:
- Next-day and same-day delivery capability from a single fulfilment hub
- 99% cut in demurrage charges, eliminating a major source of unnecessary cost
- £000,000’s saved annually by reducing write-offs through perpetual inventory control
- $000’s saved per shipment on major trade lanes via smarter freight procurement
- Full end-to-end visibility of stock levels, shipment progress, and ETA data
Industry Recognition
The partnership between Marshalls and Denholm Good Logistics has been recognised this year by two industry award bodies. The Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2025, with shortlisting in both the Customer Service and Warehouse Initiative categories, and the Mersey Maritime Industry Awards in the Logistics & Trade Excellence category. These nominations reflect the measurable improvements delivered across warehousing and supply chain operations, and the strength of a long-term collaborative approach.
