Clipper Logistics

Source: Exec Digital UK

Date :31/05/2007 15:51:36

Clipper Logistics: delivering service excellence on time

A leading independent proprietor-managed group, Clipper Logistics specialises in high value secure distribution and warehousing. The company operates in three UK divisions, all fully owned subsidiaries of Clipper Logistics Group, and has 22 locations across the country

Written by Donna Harle & Produced by Paul Radbourne

Originally formed in 1992 as Clipper Logistics Limited, through a series of strategic acquisitions and organic growth, Clipper Logistics Group has today become a leading independent logistics business in the UK, with a turnover of £125 million.

With a board of seven highly experienced directors the company has the ability to do virtually anything in terms of logistics from factory door to shop floor; Clipper Logistics has a full suite of service menus with tailor-made solutions designed for every customer’s requirements, providing an end-to-end logistics solution to many high street fashion retailers, catalogue and website businesses.

The company offers a wide range of experience and expertise in fully and semi automated warehouse solutions, product pre-retailing and processing, nominated carrier collection and delivery, spot hire and disaster recovery services, with dedicated and shared user warehouse and transport solutions.

Clipper Secure is the provider of services to manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers, ranging from tobacco, alcohol, airline businesses through to high value fashion, perfume and electrical goods, serving a range of companies such as Newlook, WHSmith, Woolworths, and House of Fraser. With the distribution of goods to such diverse markets, Clipper Secure ensures that specialisation, security and service are the key elements of its business offering.

Group divisions

In 2006 Tony Mannix was appointed as the new managing director for Clipper Secure. Mannix has 20 years experience in the logistics and transport industry and a wealth of knowledge in complex logistics, including design and specification of distribution centres warehouse management systems with a view to fulfil the role of delivering operational and commercial success.

Describing the company’s overall approach, he said: “I consider that our highly secure disciplines, processes, and our flexible approach to working with each client to find appropriate solutions, can develop into providing supply chain expertise for many other high value and sensitive markets.”

Clipper Secure is just one of the three primary activities the group has to offer.

The second division of the company is DTS Clipper, the provider of an end-to-end logistics solution to many high street fashion retailers, catalogue and website businesses. The company handles all the distribution from warehouse to store for companies such as Monsoon and Harvey Nichols. Both of these operations also have distribution centres attached dedicated to the customer products. Retail is an increasingly challenging environment, with increasing competition, falling margins and increasing rents.

The key to Clipper’s growth and success has been understanding customer needs, being proactive, innovative, flexible and delivering service excellence throughout its business offering.

The third arm of the group is van and vehicle hire offering a full range of Fiat and Iveco vans and trucks stating that its continuous customer loyalty is the benchmark of its success.

An ongoing success

With a 600 strong fleet, a work force of 2000 and 2.5 million square feet of warehousing space in a network of 22 distribution centres, the group is able to provide innovative and flexible logistics solutions from sophisticated automated warehouses and dedicated solutions for major high street retailers to SME’s and start up operations.

This year following a four way pitch, Clipper Logistics Group had won a contract to manage Meadowhall Shopping Centre’s award winning Accelerated Response Centre (ARC).

Clipper Secure Logistics is to operate The ARC, from August, on a daily basis providing retailers at Meadowhall with a storage and delivery service, from initial order to store within a two hour timeslot.

The clipper Group encourages its clients to develop ‘risk and reward’ strategies, suggesting cost saving measures that improves its clients’ bottom line performance, while at the same time making a sufficient return to invest in further added value services.

This is a company that has the ability to reduce companies’ overheads and inventory as well as having the ability to store, pick, pack and despach an expanding product range for next day delivery to trade premises and via customer websites.

On average, 2000 parcels are despatched per day through parcel partner Tuffnells who collect three times a day and take late picks direct to their hub. Bulk orders for major retailers and catalogues go direct through the Clipper Group’s shared user network.

With the ability to adopt an ‘all the time’ picking stategy to meet peaks and troughs, high efficiency is achieved by flexing the am and pm shifts to deal with goods in and put away and order replenishment and, as orders build up later in the day pick staff are increased to meet order time deadlines.