Robert Hardy Confirmed Oakland International Commercial Director

Logistics and distribution specialist Oakland International has confirmed Robert Hardy as the company’s new Commercial Director.

With over 35 years of European business development experience encompassing cross-channel freight, logistics, multimodal, business leadership and growth expertise gained working with a range of multi-million-pound budget schemes, Robert is able to bring a fresh dimension to Oakland. Robert is also a customs and Brexit advisor to The Institute for Government, a funded advisor to InterTradeIreland and a registered expert with the EU Commission on matters relating to international trade and will head the Oakland Brexit team.

Joining Oakland International in early 2017 to set up and lead Oakland Invicta, a new company with specific focus on inbound food safety and maintaining European supply chain integrity, he has close links with UK Border Force, the Food Standards Agency, Government bodies, Port authorities, European logistics providers and major food brands.

Oakland International Chief Executive and Co-Founder, Dean Attwell said: “Robert’s industry experience is key in the success to date of Oakland Invicta, cementing our position on the fast-paced European logistics map, whilst helping to create the potential to further develop Oakland International’s core business through natural propagation, partnerships and strategic alliances.”

With hubs and facilities based in the UK, Ireland and an overseas partner in Spain, Oakland International is a multi-award winner and a BRC double A accredited multi temperature distribution business specialising in contract packing, storage, picking, tempering, distribution and brand development support for to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets.

Robert Hardy commented: “I am delighted to be joining the Oakland International team. My initial focus will be on the core strengths of Oakland International and Oakland Invicta. We have an excellent product offering and a range of innovative solutions which constantly challenge the status quo.

“Oakland has a reputation for being an expert at adding value to the supply chain, either by enhancing elements or removing inefficiencies.  This has resulted in us re-designing supplier packaging to ease the supply chain flow, opening chilled markets to suppliers previously restricted to frozen or likewise introducing tempering to enhance the resilience of the supply chain.  Oakland are specialist supply chain engineers that not only design the flow but literally deliver the final product and I am excited for our journey ahead.”