FDBusiness.com

CHEP has been named Supplier of the Year at the 2016 Premier Foods Awards. CHEP was singled out for bringing a new approach to its way of working with Premier, delivering value added opportunities as well as environmental benefits.

Premier Procurement and Central Operations Director Mark Hughes, comments: “Having strong relationships with our suppliers is critical to helping us accelerate our growth. By developing strategic partnerships, we can increase sales in a sustainable and responsible way.”

CHEP UK’s Senior Commercial Manager Damian Coates, says: “Premier actively encourages their suppliers to bring innovative solutions that can work for both parties. This award is the result of a collaborative business plan between Premier and CHEP. The partnership will help Premier improve sustainability with the launch of a new service offer. Our CHEP team, led by Nicola Edmonds, the National Account Manager working with Premier, have delivered all projects on time, or ahead of time.”

Key to CHEP’s performance was the creation and implementation of a new service offer for Premier, with CHEP managing the delivery of pallets into Premier locations, making a significant impact on CO₂. CHEP also instituted a transport collaboration with Premier, using Premier’s own fleet. Both initiatives helped to streamline and simplify Premier’s supply chain, cutting truck miles and CO₂ emissions.

“Over the next couple of years, CHEP will be implementing another series of initiatives for Premier,” adds Damian Coates, “all innovative ideas to take CO₂ out of the environment and improve supply chain efficiency. When it comes to creating a more sustainable supply chain, our two businesses share exactly the same objectives.”

Premier Foods is one of the UK’s largest food manufacturers, with household-name brands including Homepride, Paul Hollywood, Batchelors, Mr Kipling, OXO, Loyd Grossman, Cadbury’s Cakes and Bisto. It operates in 13 locations across the country, with around 4,000 employees.