Wincanton achieves record award shortlist for Supply Chain Excellence
Wincanton has been recognised at the Supply Chain Excellence Awards with its highest ever number of award accolades. Being shortlisted for six awards, including operations, innovation and people success stories, recognises where Wincanton has delivered exceptional supply chain solutions for its customers.
Paul Durkin, chief customer and innovation officer at Wincanton, commented:
“This outstanding award recognition is a testament to Wincanton’s trusted customer partnerships and expertise. From the management of megaprojects to pioneering robotics solutions to outstanding service on behalf of the UK’s best-loved brands. It shows Wincanton deliver on our promises and innovate for operational excellence. I’m particularly proud to also see our People Campus initiative and our young talent recognised in this impressive line-up.”
The Supply Chain Operations – People - Award: Building a people-oriented culture at EDF’s Hinkley Point C
At any one time, 9,000 people are working on the Hinkley Point C (HPC) nuclear power station megaproject. As the project’s official warehouse and transport partner, Wincanton’s team knew embedding a people-orientated culture where individual colleagues were risk-aware would be key to collaborative working on this scale.
The team devised and delivered a series of initiatives based around the themes of health and safety, security, and employee and community wellbeing. These engaged and empowered the team to take responsibility as individuals to protect and benefit their colleagues, the supply chain, their environment, and ultimately the build.
The Supply Chain Operations – Process - Award: Optimising Primark transport operations
Working collaboratively over the past two years, Wincanton and Primark have set new standards for transport operations, delivering operational excellence, efficiencies, and a structure to support further growth.
Wincanton achieved a 15.6% reduction in cost per carton ensuring Primark customers continue to experience high availability of products across its 191 stores in the UK. Wincanton has also removed approximately 2.5m road kms, reducing carbon emissions across the transport operation by 1,657 tonnes per year.
The Best Use of Robotics Award: Molton Brown autonomous robots
Working in synergy with Japanese consumer goods manufacturer Kao for its prestigious fragrance brand Molton Brown, Wincanton has delivered the first multi-user deployment of AMRs in the UK. This innovation has delivered fundamental changes to the logistics and supply chain operations of Molton Brown whose customers demand a memorable experience.
Providing supply chain resilience and productivity on demand, this unique robotics solution provides a cost-effective solution which can handle significant seasonal fluctuations in demand and volume, achieving clear business benefits for both Molton Brown and Wincanton, improving peak productivity by 202.3%.
The Retail Supply Chain Excellence Award: Impressive results alongside significant operational change for Screwfix
Working in collaboration with its long-term transport and warehouse provider Wincanton, Screwfix has benefitted from strong supply chain management which has ensured solid product availability delivered in a safe, efficient and effective manner to over 870 trade counter locations.
What is truly remarkable is the delivery of an impressive set of results at the same time as significant business change programmes have been implemented. The shared values and cultures of both Screwfix and Wincanton are seen in collaboration with charities ESO and Mencap, where both parties have created opportunities for individuals with learning disabilities to experience life in logistics.
The Workforce Planning Award: Broadening the candidate pool with Wincanton’s People Campus
To support Wincanton’s vast business operations requires a 20,300-strong team. However, staffing shortages have been an ongoing and persistent problem within the sector.
In response to this challenge, Wincanton created People Campus, a unique industry-first initiative that enables employees to flex not only their hours, but the sites they work in within a designated area. By giving more people the opportunity to be permanent employees at Wincanton – but on a more flexible basis – People Campus is reducing reliance on agency colleagues, while increasing inclusivity by appealing to a wider candidate pool who normally wouldn’t/couldn’t consider working in the logistics industry.
The Rising Star Award: Role model and leader, Adriana Thompson
Adriana Thompson is Shift Operations Manager at the Wincanton-managed Screwfix distribution centre in Lichfield. In working on Wincanton operations for Screwfix Adriana has embraced and succeeded in numerous and different roles, including project lead at Lichfield for the expansion of Screwfix into France in 2022 and playing a central role in the trail of industry-leading automation technology onsite.
Alongside her confidence, passion and drive for excellence, Adriana is challenging the status quo on race and gender diversity in our industry. She continues to support Wincanton’s Diversity and Inclusion programme nationally, engaging with focus groups with an emphasis on ethnic diversity.
