Premier Foods wins Grocer Gold Award for Integrated Transport Solution alongside logistics partner Jigsaw

Premier Foods today announces that it has picked up a prestigious Grocer Gold award, along with its preferred logistics partner, Jigsaw, for the innovative way it has improved the efficiency and sustainability of its transport operations.
 
The companies jointly beat off stiff competition to receive the award in front of a packed audience at The Guildhall in London last night, presented by actor Stephen Mangan.
 
The winning entry was based on a project to simplify and optimise Premier Foods’ transport network, originally started in 2013. Against a legacy of different transport systems and multiple partners, Jigsaw helped implement a ‘control tower’ approach, to coordinate the core and third party transport fleet, allocate orders effectively and operate a centralised route and load planning system.  The resulting fully integrated network is unique in the UK Grocery sector, delivering a seamless interface between the Company, warehousing, customers, suppliers and hauliers.
 
As a result of the project, more vehicles are now fully-loaded when moving between factories, distribution centres and customer sites. There is also a significant improvement in backhaul operations. This has improved Premier Food’s responsiveness to customer demands and resulted in   transport cost savings. In addition, through eliminating unnecessary journeys, the Company expects to reduce its road miles by around 750,000 by the end of 2014 with a resulting reduction in CO2 emissions of nearly 800 tonnes.  
 
Commenting on the win, Gavin Darby, Chief Executive Officer of Premier Foods said:
 
“We’re delighted to have won this award along with Jigsaw. We’ve been working hard to reduce complexity throughout the business and maximise value from our supply chain. The partnership with Jigsaw demonstrates the value of more strategic supplier relationships. Through this project we’ve been able to deliver a triple whammy of improving our customer responsiveness, reducing our costs and lowering our environmental impact.”
 
Andy Humpherson, Managing Director at Jigsaw said:
 
“We’re excited that the significant progress we have made in partnership with Premier Foods over the past 18 months to deliver savings and efficiencies to their business has been recognised by this major industry award. It’s another endorsement of how our unique approach to transport management delivers value and sustainability to major food and drink brands.”