Bob Terris, Managing Director, Meachers Global Logistics

Businesses are continually evolving and changing shape and that is certainly true of Meachers.  The company has come a long way from Fred Meachers Totton based coal range and delivery service.  It’s been a family business, in public ownership and is now one of the UK’s leading independent logistics providers – not bad for a company that was based in Westfield Road, Totton and comprised of a gravel yard and old nissen hut for an office.

I left grammar school in Bristol at 16 and joined the management training programme of a printing and packaging machine company.  Within a short space of time I had become fascinated by the process of distribution, warehousing and stock movement, or, what we today term as logistics and the future direction of my career was clear.

My parents moved to Southampton when I was 17 and I joined the Meachers family run business as a traffic operator. In those days, the company was just a transport business and we used to do a lot of work locally, including moving fruit from the docks.

During the heydays of the industry in the 60’s I started developing my business skills and advanced through the company.  They were great days and following a string of acquisitions the business started to expand and take shape. We doubled the size of the transport operation, added warehousing facilities and relocated our premises to what would turn out to be a prime location on West Quay Road.  It was a decision that changed the direction of Meachers and also catapulted me into the world of plc’s.  A challenge that I could never be prepared for!

In 1981, Meachers received a surprise approach from Pirelli. The multi national needed access to the waterfront at 102 dock having won a big cable contract, but our site was in the way.  After a period of stalemate, the firm had no option but to offer to buy the business and we became a subsidiary of Pirelli Cables.  It was during this period that the remaining founding family members retired and I became Managing Director.  It was a steep learning curve understanding the bureaucracy and intricacies of plc life, but I was keen to learn and Pirelli left me at arms length to develop the business.

During the 80’s our growth strategy combined both organic business development and acquisitions.  I had the opportunity to diversify the business and the seeds were sown for a group that could provide complete logistics solutions thorough the combination of transport, warehousing, freight forwarding and vehicle maintenance. During the period Meachers acquired a number of businesses including Hunt Transport, Southampton Road Transport, KL Commercial and in 1989 Oast Agencies, a well know freight forward business and Meachers Group Holdings was formed.

In the 90’s, Meachers Group Holdings continued to expand, but our parent company was facing tough market conditions.  Its advisors were suggesting restructuring and a return to core business.  The ideas of a management buy-out was proposed and initially shunned, but after a period of deadlock and tough discussions taking almost five years, in 1996 I completed the final element of a phased management buy-out.

The group marched on with a renewed vigour and focus following the management buy-out.  We opened new premises in Derby and adjusted the offering by selling our commercial garage.  The business was strengthened by the appointment of key staff and four new directors.  We also looked at the needs and demands of the market place and devised a strategic development programme. This included the recent rebranding exercise that has resulted in formation of Meachers Global Logistics.

Sitting here in our facility in Nursling – an acquisition I advised Pirelli against making many years ago – I’m immensely proud of what we have achieved. I’m surrounded by good people, including my sons Stuart and Jamie, we have great facilities, a modern wholly owned fleet and are one of the UK’s leading providers of logistics services.   Will I retire?  Of course I will. When the time is right, Stuart will take over as managing director, I have a succession plan, and will move into the role of Chairman.

I’m often asked who has influenced my business life.  My father taught me two very important lessons, don’t expect anything for nothing and treat people the way you would want to be treated.  I’ve tried to adhere to those rules and have always tried to lead by example.  This industry is in my blood and I still really enjoy it. It’s hard work, but then I’ve never been afraid of that, I’m very hands on and know my Father would be immensely proud of what I’ve achieved.

Outside of Meachers I’ve been involved with many industry groups and associations, but for relaxation I’ve always enjoyed and supported sport. I think that team sports should be encouraged amongst the next generation as they are great for development and building character.  I’m a keen golfer and of course a Saints fan and I also enjoy travelling.  There are always new places to see and experiences to be had.

Home has been in the New Forest for almost 30 years with my wife Josie. We have a wide and diverse circle of friends and are an active part of the community. I’m also a proud Grandad to Ethan and Luke, who knows?, perhaps future directors of Meachers Global Logistics?

Lionvest’s decision to move it’s warehousing to Meachers was based on Meachers ability to offer a state-of-the-art facility and easy access to the motorway network. Meachers outstanding customer service, long warehouse opening hours, excellent security systems and ability to provide a turnkey operation helped seal the deal.

“The relationship with our warehouse and its staff is a fundamental part of the smooth running of our business and the lynchpin of our commitment to excellent customer service”, said Mark Warrington, Transport Manager at Lionvest Trading (UK). “Meachers will ensure that Lionvest’s stock can now be moved with a minimum of delay to anywhere within the UK within 48 hours from order”, he concluded.

Meachers innovative warehouse system allows customers easy access to current stock levels and movement figures over the Internet to provide them with accurate, timely and complete visibility of information across the supply chain. The system uses radio and barcode scanning technology to scan goods in and out of its warehouses and provides flexible communication facilities to interface with a variety of other systems.

“As the business climate becomes more competitive, it is becoming more important for logistics companies to react faster, provide more innovative products and remain competitive”, said Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics. “Meachers particular mix of hi-tech warehousing, transport, facilities management and freight forwarding is providing a win, win situation for our customers.”

The information provided by the Quartix technology is helping Meachers reduce fuel costs, improve operating efficiency and safeguard both the vehicle and driver.  It is also providing information regarding fuel efficiency, vehicle speeds, loading and unloading times and on time collection/delivery performance.

“The Quartix system gives us an instant, online snapshot of where any one of our vehicles is at any given time. It provides an accurate breakdown of the miles covered, the average speed, and whether or not they’re using the direct route”, said Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics.   “It is working really well enabling us to identify any problems that may arise on the driver’s route and resolving them with the driver or the customer.”

Carried out by Eastleigh based HP Contracts, the refurbishment includes the building of an extension to double the size of Meachers Transport’s traffic office from 77 to 154 square metres.   Undertaken over a three-month period, the work has included the total reconfiguration of the building to provide new administrative and management offices, a new entrance and reception area and conference room.

The company’s freight forwarding office, also at Nursling, has been given a similar makeover with the company more than doubling its administrative area by expanding into the adjacent building.  To cater for an expansion in warehousing contracts, Meachers has contracted HP Contracts to reconfigure its existing racking and install new racking.

The fitout included the installation of new ceilings, partitioning, lighting and an entrance porch as well as the refurbishment of kitchens, cloakrooms and stairwells.

“We are delighted with our refurbished buildings which provides us with a functional and prestigious headquarters that reflects our status as a leading UK logistics provider”, says Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics.  “HP Contract has done an excellent job which was completed on time and within budget”, he concluded.

The new facilities, contracted from April, bring the total amount of warehousing managed by the company to in excess of 300,000sq-ft.  Meachers Global Logistics now runs seven warehouse facilities at its two locations in Derby and Southampton.

Both operations will continue to manage a flow of goods and services for customers to ensure the seamless operation of products from initial collection through to final distribution. The warehousing operation will include a range of facilities including devanning, palletising and storage, picking, labelling and distribution to customers throughout the UK.

Commenting, Gary Whittle, Commercial Director of Meachers Global Logistics says: “These are exciting new facilities for Meachers which enable us to broaden our warehousing, distribution and reworking services. With our particular mix of warehousing, transport, facilities management and freight forwarding, Meachers is in an excellent position to offer complete logistics solutions to both potential and existing customers.”

Utilising its extensive experience and the latest design technology Meachers manages all aspects of its customer’s warehousing needs from initial consultancy through to the project management of a total supply chain solution.   One focused point of contact ensures an efficient and trouble-free service enabling customers to save time, money and effort.

Meachers has purchased the reversing cameras from Autosonics, a leader in the supply of new technology for vehicles. Meachers is using state-of-the-art CAM4000 back view reversing LED camera system in conjunction with a 5.6” TFT LCD colour monitor and sound facility with volume control so that the driver can hear if someone outside the cab shouts a warning when he is reversing. Shock resistant, the camera can operate in temperatures ranging from -10°C to +50°C and is waterproof rated to IP67.

Commenting, Richard Lambourne a Director of the Meachers Group with specific responsibility for health & safety says: “It is a recorded fact that 90% of reversing accidents occur off-road when a vehicle is reversing in car parks, loading bays, lorry parks, warehouses and construction sites and of 60% of all truck accidents happen whilst the vehicle is being maneuvered. Meachers takes health & safety extremely seriously. We believe that fitting reversing cameras onto all our vehicles will help ensure that no accidents occur when our drivers are reversing”.

Meachers won the business by demonstrating its ability to provide CooperVision with high levels of customer service from its Southampton headquarters. As part of the agreement, Meachers will undertake the storage of raw materials and quality assurance records at its Nursling and Derby facilities.

A key factor in awarding Meachers the business was the company’s new Warehouse Management Information System. Designed to run on internally hosted and managed file servers in Southampton, the system uses innovative software to allow CooperVision access to current stock levels and movement figures over the Internet.

The state-of-the-art system has been developed to provide customers with accurate, timely and complete visibility of information across the supply chain. The system uses radio and barcode scanning technology to scan goods in and out of its warehouses and provides flexible communication facilities to interface with a variety of other systems.

“Meachers was able to provide us with a significantly improved service offer”, said Stephen Green, Buyer at CooperVision. “We now have the facility to place live stock orders over the Internet and know that they will be delivered the next day. Meachers service is excellent and is proving to be a great success.”

Huhtamaki is one of the world’s largest packaging companies focusing on paper, plastic, films and moulded fibre products. Huhtamaki (UK) Ltd manufactures plastic and paper packaging for FMCG goods, fresh foods and catering disposable markets from its site in Gosport.

The long-term contract is an exciting and prestigious achievement for Meachers, which beat off stiff competition from major logistics companies to win the account. The company will be undertaking the delivery of pallets to locations throughout the UK and Ireland. Deliveries will be carried out using a combination of Meachers current and newly acquired fleet together with a subcontracted element undertaken via Meachers’ partners LinQ Alliance. Order processing will be carried out quickly and easily utilising Meachers latest EDI technology.

Commenting Gary Owen, Warehouse & Distribution Manager at Huhtamaki UK said: “Apart from the usual criteria of having an excellent reputation for service and a competitive pricing structure, our decision to appoint Meachers was also influenced by the advantages that Meachers is a local company with its own fleet. Of particular merit was Meachers membership of LinQ Alliance which means that Meachers will be sub-contracting to LinQ partners and will therefore have more control of shipments.”

To cater for the new Huhtamaki contract and other business won over the past six months, the Meachers Global Logistics has made a major investment of £2.5 million in new vehicles. The company has purchased a total of 38 new tractor units and 40 new trailers as well as new vehicles for Oast Agencies. In addition it has updated its Warehouse Management Information System at the company’s warehouse facilities in Southampton and Derby to provide staff and customers with greater control of stock levels and transactions.

Stuart Terris, Deputy Managing Director, Meachers Global Logistics, added: “We are delighted that Huhtamaki has chosen us to manage its national transport contract. This is not only a prestigious win for the Group but strengthens our reputation within a demanding marketplace and also underlines the importance of our being a member of LinQ Alliance with its unique approach to supply chain management.”