SPAR UK and Oakland International Hermes Retail Week Supply Chain Awards 2017 Finalists

UK convenience symbol group operator SPAR UK and multi temperature supply chain specialist Oakland International have been confirmed as finalists in this year’s Hermes Retail Week Supply Chain Awards 2017 at the London Hilton, Park Lane on Thursday 28th September.

Shortlisted for the Collaboration Award, SPAR UK and Oakland International were selected due to their tailored sustainable carbon reducing case and pallet consolidation scheme, which delivers a number of key benefits for end retailers, suppliers and in-store customers and has since launch demonstrated constant growth, delivering improved in-store availability, extended shelf life, enhanced productivity, and considerably reduced road miles travelled.

The scheme has helped improve SPAR UK’s product freshness and lead times, offered a cost effective route for smaller producers who would otherwise be unable to meet SPAR’s supply chain requirements and reduced wastage.

Vinesh Patel, SPAR UK Supply Chain Controller, commented: “At SPAR we’re regularly looking at ways to innovate, add value to our customers and remove cost from the supply chain. We do this with Oakland International and are proud to deliver an unrivalled logistics supply chain in the UK.

“To be recognised by our peers is fantastic and a testament to all of our hard work.”

An award winning partnership, the case and pallet consolidation scheme demonstrates that carbon reduction is achievable from improved supply chain efficiencies, and assist in leading the way in sustainable innovation and change. A highly innovative scheme that through investment and operational review made during 2016 the number of additional improvements and developments have been significant.

Oakland International Chief Executive and Co-Founder Dean Attwell stated: “Oakland International and SPAR UK together are a fantastic team as we are both committed to reducing our carbon footprint and in ongoing renewable innovations to make this an even more sustainable and efficient supply chain partner initiative. By working together we have been able to provide an environmentally beneficial service.”