Downton delivers 2017/2018

DELIVERS

2017/2018

@CMDownton

/DowntonDelivers

EVENTS | NEW BUSINESS WINS | EXPANSION | INVESTMENT |CHARITY

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@BudweiserUK • 13.01.2017 Top work @Only1Argyle! David James will be with you at 7pm. Get to Home Park and grab a Bud on us. #EmiratesFACup #ThisBudsForYou 18+

@CMDownton 23.06.2017 We've been awarded a contract with Smiths News, the UK’s leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler

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@CMDownton 13.06.2017 Our new curtainsider trailers from @TigerTrailers are In operation working with @IsoverUK in the North.

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@CMDownton • 06.03.2017 Driver David Vaughan and his family enjoyed complimentary tickets as a Downton employee to Saturday's @gloucesterrugby game!

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@CMDownton 23.06.2017 #CharityTuesday Team Downton raise over £500 for @alzheimerssoc by climbing to the @visit_snowdonia summit by moonlight and torch

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@positiveartbyj 12.06.2017 Traveling down the M1 on holiday amazed at the volume of Downton lorries on the road.

@CMDownton 26.05.2017 Our cricket shirts have arrived courtesy of R K Styles, ready for our friendly T20 match against @FrocesterCC on Monday!

8 @CMDownton 18.09.2017 Driver Trainer and @RHANews SW Vice Chair Andy Heaven attended a parliamentary reception to discuss industry challenges.

@CMDownton • 27.07.2017 Under Gold command with @BritishArmy, Downton delivered bottled water in the 2007 Floods to those cut off by the water.

Send your feedback to marketing@downtongroup.com 2

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@CMDownton 02.06.2017 Congratulations to Sapa Manager Sharon McCarthy who took part in Chavenage Cyclo-Cross event with @BritishCycling

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@CMDownton 10.07.2017 Game, Set & Match – Downton Serve Drinks for @Wimbledon @CMDownton • 30.05.2017 Our first day putting the new 'kit' to work with @IsoverUK, managed by Downton's on-site operations and shunt team

@CMDownton 20.05.2017 Our apprentices are having a great time talking to potential apprentices #JobsThatMove

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@danm80 29.06.2017 I have a very happy William who got to sit in the downton cab!!

@CMDownton 29.09.2017 In the name of #FlashbackFriday, we're throwing it back to the early 90s when the Brother's still had hair.

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@CMDownton 20.06.2017 We were pleased to assist @DIYSOS with a special delivery yesterday!

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@CMDownton 29.06.2017 We're pleased to have placed 17th in Gloucestershire Top 100 Businesses in association with @swbusinessnews

@CMDownton • 17.03.2017 The racking installation at our 15,745m2 #Sharpness warehouse is almost complete!

@CMDownton 02.06.2017 We've been awarded @alcumusgroup SafeContractor accreditation for achieving excellence in health and safety

@CMDownton 21.06.2017 Great talking to @newsfromfta David Wells at FTA @everywomanUK #tlawards

Join in the conversation online @CMDownton WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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COMMUNITY SPIRIT

10 YEARS SINCE GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S FLOODS Ten years ago in 2007, Gloucestershire fell victim to summer floods that amounted to absolute devastation and destruction.

Hundreds of homes and businesses were left under water, and thousands of drivers and travellers were stranded as road and rail routes were inundated by fast-rising flood waters.

Working together with the British Army under the Gold command, Downton delivered bottled water across the county including the large parts of Gloucestershire cut off by the storm.

SPONSORSHIP RENEWAL

With a relationship spanning over a decade,

Sponsoring the local team helps to raise

them. At Gloucester Rugby, we rely on the

and the Downton name (arguably) as part

our profile within the local community and

support of our proud partners and Downton is

of the kit as the club logo, the answer was a

presents a number of opportunities to engage

no exception, and we are equally proud to be

resounding yes when the time came to review

with customers during match days.

displaying their branding on our playing shirt

our sponsorship with the premier league team.

Mike

Turner,

Commercial

Director

at

and shorts.”

The Downton name will continue to appear on

Gloucester Rugby, said: “We are excited to

As part of the sponsorship deal, Downton also

the shirts and shorts worn by the club’s players

confirm the strengthening of our relationship

receives a number of tickets for each match to

during top-level rugby matches. And our

with Downton, a local success story that

share with employees.

distinctive branding will also appear on pitch-

continues to grow their brand and we are

side advertising and on the club’s website.

delighted to continue our partnership with

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COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Downton Driver Darren Merchant with DIYSOS' Billy Byrne

DIYSOS

PROM QUEEN

As a family business, charity is a huge part of

pool accident on holiday in April 2016 and had

Every Dad wants his Daughter to feel like a

our corporate social responsibility, so when

not returned home since becoming tetraplegic.

princess on her prom night, and what better

BBC DIYSOS called us in the midst of a crisis, we were more than happy to lend a helping hand.

A local fencing company promised a garden shed

without

the

chance

for

delivery,

threatening the completion of one of the largest DIYSOS projects to date.

The project took place in Avening at the home of Ben Wernham and Ella Constable.

Dad Ben was paralysed in a freak swimming

The organisers turned to Downton, and Driver Darren Merchant was more than happy to

way to arrive in style than your Dad's pride and joy?

oblige, continuing to smile even after further

More and more are ditching the limousine in

problems from the fence manufacturers.

favour of our Cabs just like Toni Davies who

Making use of our MAN Rigid vehicle, Darren navigated the narrow streets of Avening to deliver the missing piece to a hungry team of

was accompanied by Dad David Davies to her school prom at Birchensale Middle School.

Mum Sally said; "She [Toni] was so happy and excited, and

purple shirts.

The transformed home was revealed to Ben and his family on June 22.

her dad David Davies has worked for the company for five years this year! I would like to say thank you so much for making my two children very happy!"

Runcorn Planner Ben Illingworth

BUDDING BAKER

Toni followed in her brother's footsteps

Perhaps attributed to the success of the Great

reportedly shocked the crowds as she arrived

British Bake Off, or an excuse to eat some

in her matching red dress.

(pictured below) for her prom arrival, and

cake on a Friday morning, the Runcorn team hosted a Macmillan Coffee Morning on Friday 6th October.

Despite appearances, Downton’s Runcorn office houses some budding male bakers as Planner Ben Illingworth was named star baker for his Carrot & Walnut cake.

With

everything

from

sponge

cakes

to

doughnuts, the team raised a staggering ÂŁ555.

WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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COMMUNITY SPIRIT

DOWNTON DELIVERS PUMPKINS FOR HALLOWEEN What seemed to be a short summer for the

as more households adopt Halloween as an

nation, was in fact the perfect mix of plentiful

annual tradition.

rain and bouts of warm weather for our farmers

Driver Trainer Andy Heaven

Former Chair, now Vice Chair, for the Road Haulage Association (RHA) in the South West, Driver Trainer Andy Heaven received

We worked with Proctor & Associates to

a special invitation from the RHA to attend

deliver 28 full loads of pumpkins, around 22

a Parliamentary Reception at the House of

It was predicted that in the run up to Halloween,

tonnes each, from North Maldon Growers to

Commons on 12th September 2017.

millions of Pumpkins would be sold nationwide

Lidl stores in Belvedere and Enfield.

to produce bumper crops.

This event formed part of the RHA's annual National Lorry Week that this year ran from 11th - 16th September, with aims to inform the nation of the importance of the haulage industry.

Key members of the industry were invited to promote key campaigning issues to Ministers and Government officials, including MP Charlie Elphicke, with a smooth Brexit transition high on the agenda.

Andy

used

the

opportunity

to

spread

awareness of our efforts in recruitment, public perception and operational excellence.

Photograph by driver Kevin Finch

RELIEF FOR HURRICANE IRMA In

September

2017,

Hurricane

Irma

-

described as the most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade - caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and Southern US.

victims were in desperate need of aid.

Chatham driver Kevin Finch was assigned to carry approximately 25,000 bottles of Harrogate Water from its plant in Leeds to

Causing the death of more than fourty people,

MOD Bicester, ready to be shipped to the

and turning streets into rivers, Hurricane Irma's

areas of devastation.

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2018 CHARITY OF THE YEAR Nominated by Downton Employees

COMMUNITY SPIRIT

TEAM RAISED OVER £500 FOR ALZHEIMER'S CHARITY On Friday 23rd June, HR Manager Katrina Green,

Gloucester

Warehouse

Manager

Ian Blackwell, Former Sharpness Manager David Serle and Marketing Manager Charlotte Swinnerton embarked on a midnight challenge to climb by torch and moonlight to reach the summit of the highest mountain in Wales, Mt Snowdon.

DOWNTON HELPS PLYMOUTH FANS CELEBRATE CUP SUCCESS

What started as a usual work day, turned in to a gruelling challenge by midday when the team started the four hour drive to reach the

Plymouth Argyle fans returning from the club’s

the Devon club’s Home Park stadium when

Royal Victoria Hotel Snowdonia, where they

FA Cup tie against Liverpool on Sunday 8

fans’ coaches arrived back from the 580-mile

enjoyed a complimentary dinner and received

January were given free bottles of Budweiser

round-trip to Anfield.

their safety briefings.

Driver Gary Barnes collected the load from

With support from Discover Adventure, the

Budweiser is one of the FA Cup’s sponsors

the Budweiser brewery in Magor, South Wales

team completed the 9-mile hike within 6 hours,

and had promised it would give free beer to

and travelled to Plymouth to wait on standby

alongside 290 other brave hikers, battling

the fans of the team who, against all odds,

near the stadium until the end of the game.

against extreme fog, high winds and rain.

Once authorised, he delivered the beer

The team's efforts raised over £500 for

to Home Park in time for the arrival of the

Alzheimer's Society, contributing to the £95K

Plymouth Argyle managed to hold seven-time

coaches so that it could be given out until

raised collectively through all participants.

winners Liverpool to a nil-nil draw in what

midnight. Former Liverpool goalkeeper David

was widely considered the performance of

James dropped in during the evening to help

the weekend. The brewer duly ensured the

hand out the beer.

beer with help from Downton.

beat tough competitors or put up the biggest fight in the third round.

club’s fans had another reason to celebrate the result and the impending replay.

L-R: Katrina Green, Charlotte Swinnerton, Ian Blackwell and David Serle

A second full-load trailer was prepared for delivery to fans at other clubs in the event of a

As we manage the transport and logistics for

“giant-killing” result. As no shocks or surprises

Budweiser’s parent AB InBev in the UK, we

arose in the other ties this was not required.

ensured a full 26-pallet load of beer was at

With the increasing pressures of our 24 hour operation, tensions can run a little high. Liam Cain, Finished Goods Warehouse Manager at UPM Shotton, knew how important it was to ensure the entire team were on board, so he arranged a fun day out to a local Go Karting track.

WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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CYCLE SCHEME

ON YOUR BIKE!

The Yorkshire Dales by Stuart Smith

Chepstow Planner Mark Alford

Samlesbury

Transport

Support

Manager

Chepstow Planner Mark Alford is our real life

yet at the London Marathon 2018 in aid of

Stuart Smith is such a keen cyclist, that he

Marathon Man. Always the first to sign himself

Lupus UK, those who wish to sponsor Mark

cycled 104 miles around the Yorkshire Dales

up to company sporting events, Mark has an

can do so by visiting the following link:

whilst on annual leave to be able to participate

impressive medal cabinet after competing in

http://bit.ly/Mark-Alford-London-Marathon

in Cycle to Work Day.

Besides his sporting ambitions, Mark is an

While strictly speaking Stuart didn't cycle to

active member in his home community as

work, we feel we can give him some reprieve

chairman to his local scout group in Newport.

given his commitment to the cause, and an

a number of events this year including the Cardiff Half Marathon and Swansea Half Marathon.

A keen cyclist, Mark cycled 36 miles from his home in Newport to the Chepstow depot as part of Cycle to Work Day in September - even though it was his day off!

In the interest of encouraging the young generation to be more active and spend more

admirable record ride of 151 miles with only a 9 minute stop.

time outdoors, Mark organised a camp in the

On average, Stuart cycles 125 miles a week

wilderness.

come rain or shine, and during summer Stuart

Mark will embarking on his greatest challenge

competes in outdoor track racing.

Contracts Manager Sharon McCarthy

Pictured left during the Chavenage cyclocross race in June 2017, Sharon McCarthy - like Mark - is always the first to agree to a sporting challenge.

Sharon learned the news in October that she would be running the April 2018 London Marathon, chosen by random draw from 386,050 other applicants.

In aid of Leukaemia Care, Sharon has set herself the fundraising target of ÂŁ2,250. Those who wish to sponsor Sharon can do so by visiting the following link: http://bit.ly/SharonM-London-Marathon

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SOCIAL EVENTS

WE'RE ON THE BALL Eleven teams representing a number of sites

and Avon Distribution, our partnership with RT

and partner companies took part in our second

Keedwell serving Accolade Wines.

annual five-a-side football tournament on Saturday 3 June.

After a highly competitive but fun-filled day a team from Jigsaw emerged as the winner.

Director’s Kate and John Downton both played, with Rob Emery, Richard Downton and Andy Downton all there to support on the day.

The teams were divided into two mini-leagues

This year’s event was held at the Powerleague

with each playing five games to decide who

five-a-side venue in Birmingham which allowed

would go through to the knock-out quarter-

us to expand the format and invite more teams

finals. This resulted in the teams from Jigsaw

to take part.

and Barely Athletic (representing Shotton and

That meant teams from our Gloucester

Runcorn) making the final.

(winners last year), Tilbury, Runcorn, Shotton,

After a tense few minutes, the final ended as a

and Bristol sites were able to enter.

draw which meant the dreaded penalty shoot-

These were joined by two mixed-gender teams representing the head office and Quedgeley sites as well as teams from Jigsaw, our managed transport specialist subsidiary,

out was needed. The team from Jigsaw held its nerve and won which meant that Barely Athletic was runner-up for the second year in a row.

WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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CHARITY AND CAUSES

A VEHICLE FOR CHANGE Back in August, we were contacted by

reached one hundred and twenty events

Paralympic medallist James Brown, now Co-

around the UK. Now in 2017 the charity have

Founder and CEO of Mobiloo.

expanded to seven vehicles and anticipate

Mobiloo is a portable facility that enables all disabled children and adults to use the toilet

reaching over five hundred events, not just in the UK.

GLOUCESTER AT WORK After spotting a black and white photograph we shared on the company Facebook account from near our beginning, author Christine

or be changed with dignity and respect when

Mobiloo

their

Jordan contacted us to use it as a feature in

they wish to go to events and activities –

operational effectiveness in Transport &

her new book Gloucester at Work: People and

events from which they are too often excluded

Logistics, and reached out for some best

Industries Through the Years.

by the absence of these necessary changing

practice advice for managing their growing

facilities.

fleet and driving team.

In 2015, Mobiloo had a single vehicle which

Director Richard Downton met with James

to the present day and is available to purchase

attended

Brown to offer some well received advice.

on Amazon.

fifteen

events

in

and

around

Gloucestershire. In 2016 that single vehicle

recognised

Downton

for

The book explores the life of this city and its people, from pre-industrial beginnings through

Find out more at www.mobiloo.org.uk

TOP 100 BUSINESS BOX 4 KIDS

GAME, SET & MATCH

We're pleased to have placed 17th in

Box4Kids is an initiative by the Barrie Wells

We worked with our customer AB InBev

Gloucestershire's Top 100 Businesses in

Trust, set up in 2010, to enable seriously ill

(ABI) and Jigsaw, our managed transport

association

Business,

and disabled children and their families to

specialist business, to ensure daily deliveries

University of Gloucestershire, Hazlewoods

enjoy watching sport and entertainment from

of beers to Wimbledon throughout this year’s

Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers

the comfort of an executive box.

Championship.

and Circle2Success Ltd.

We were pleased to offer our company table

Stella was one of the official suppliers to this

The aim of the supplement is to celebrate

to six guests at the Anglo Welsh cup game on

year’s Championship and this and other ABI

the county’s companies, its talent, skills and

Saturday 11 November at Kingsholm stadium.

beer brands such as Goose Island, Becks,

innovations that drive our economy, in what

Our guests enjoyed a three-course lunch in

is considered to be one of Gloucestershire’s

the 1873 suite and Premium seats.

with

South

West

best-read business bibles.

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Budweiser and Camden were popular with spectators.

AWARDS

Jannette Wallace Runcorn Depot Manager

WOMEN DRIVING CHANGE

FINALIST JANET OVERTHROW Despite coming runner-up in the Freight category, Janet's career at Downton is nothing

Jannette Wallace, Runcorn Depot Manager,

contract in the North West. Since then, she

won the Leader Award in the Freight category of

has helped our business grow and today,

the Freight Transport Association’s prestigious

as manager of the Runcorn depot, she is

In her sixteen years of service, Janet has

Everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards

responsible for a team of over 200, including

empowered females in the workforce by

2017 earlier this year.

a 106-truck fleet, serving seven main regional

proving her ability in a man’s world. Her

contracts and a 10 acre site incorporating a

femininity bought a calmness to an otherwise

90,000ft2 warehouse. Our site revenues have

erratic environment, and proved the importance

risen six-fold in the past five years.

of females in the workplace.

Jannette Wallace said:

Admirably, Janet has remained in traffic

The award was presented at a gala lunch in London on Wednesday 21 June.

THE AWARDS Now in their tenth year these major industry

short of an inspiration.

management for fourteen years, suppressing

most

“I’m thrilled to win this award

inspirational role models in the UK’s transport

and be recognised among other

position of seniority and instead from driving

women taking leadership roles and

operational success from the front line.

awards

recognise

twelve

of

the

and logistics industry. These women are recognised as the finest in their field, from individuals making significant improvements to

making a difference in the transport

road and rail infrastructure to those renovating

sector. I have always advocated

intricate warehouse logistics.

ABOUT JANNETTE Jannette joined Downton twelve years ago when we had just one

the idea that success comes from reaching a

opportunities for women in our industry and encourage colleagues to do the same.”

WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Group Health & Safety Manager Mark Whittall

PUTTING SAFETY FIRST Mark Whittall joined us in May 2017, and with many years experience in the Logistics industry, is well versed to the attainment of accreditations and audits to ensure the highest standards of health and safety are consistently

the risk of collisions with vulnerable road users.

uniform standard across the business, and

ISO 9001/2015 The

International

accreditation was driven by the need for a

Organization

for

Standardisation (ISO) is an independent, non-

to strengthen our relationship with customer Isover.

governmental international organisation that

Alcumus SafeContractor is a leading third

gives world-class specifications for products,

party accreditation scheme which recognises

FORS BRONZE ACCREDITATION

services and systems, to ensure quality, safety

extremely rigorous standards in health and

In recognition of our dedication to driver

and efficiency.

safety management amongst contractors. It is

met.

and vehicle safety, Mark's first port of call was the maintenance of our FORS Bronze accreditation.

ISO 9001 addresses various aspects of quality management and contains guidance and

used by thousands of organisations in the UK including SMEs and FTSE 100 companies.

tools for companies who want to ensure that

Gemma

The Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme

their products and services consistently meet

SafeContractor said: "More companies need

(FORS) is a voluntary accreditation scheme

customer’s requirements, and that quality is

to understand the importance of adopting good

that promotes best practice for commercial

consistently improved.

risk management in the way that CM Downton

vehicle operators, but one that is recognised nationwide by our customers.

years, and we have achieved the new ISO

As part of the scheme, Mark has facilitated the completion of Cycle Safety training to help our drivers recognise the causes, and minimise

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@CMDOWNTON

All ISO standards are reviewed every five

9001:2015 ahead of its 2018 release date.

ALCUMUS SAFE CONTRACTOR The acquisition of this SafeContractor

/DOWNTONDELIVERSS

Archibald,

Director

of

Alcumus

has done. The firm’s high standard has set an example which hopefully will be followed by other companies within the sector."

Downton also hold accreditations with FIAS and the Soil Association.

NEW APPOINTMENTS

Salmesbury Manager Stuart Smith with Head of Northern Operations Gavin Shannon FCILT

Dunstable Warehouse and Operations Manager, Dave Penman

MANAGING NORTHERN OPS

CLIMBING THE RANKS

Gavin Shannon FCILT, pictured right with

Gavin will use his knowledge to overcome

Former Warehouse Operative Dave Penman

Samlesbury's

any confusion surrounding current tachograph

has

legislation, and will help to manage customer

Operations Manager at Dunstable.

Stuart

Smith,

has

been

appointed Head of Northern Operations.

With over thirty years front line experience in

expectations and the services we provide.

been

appointed

Warehouse

and

A key site for our print and paper customers,

Transport and Logistics, Gavin was awarded

Having formerly occupied a number of director

Dunstable is now responsible for all magazines

the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport

roles including 23 years with James Irlam

with everything from Vogue to Photoshop for

(North West Region) Service to the Transport

Logistics, as well as a consultancy role, our

Beginners coming through the South Eastern

Industry Award in 2016.

strong family beliefs attracted Gavin back to

depot.

With a well-rounded view of the industry, experienced in all aspects of transport, Gavin will be working with the Northern regional teams to maximise operational efficiencies

the business environment, where his expertise in operational compliance will be a real asset, and will undoubtedly aid further growth in the region.

With an average number of 17 daily loads, Dave and his team of 33 work tirelessly around the clock to ensure we continue to exceed our customer's expectations.

and minimise wastage.

PEARLS OF WISDOM

Recruitment & Training Support, Phil Marsh

Former HGV Driver Phil Marsh ditches his travel mug as he embarks on a new officebased role.

Offering direct support to Recruitment Manager David Leleu, Phil's driving background brings an empathy towards driving conditions that will certainly aid recruitment and training.

Acting as a mentor during his driving tenure, Phil has already earned his place as an important member of the nationwide driver training team.

WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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2017 LONG SERVICE

ASHLEY DOWDESWELL DRIVING TEAM 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

CHRISTOPHER RUSH DRIVING TEAM 15 YEARS OF SERVICE

DANIEL KONOPKA WAREHOUSE TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

DARREN MERCHANT DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

GREG SINORADZKI WAREHOUSE TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

JAMES COOKE DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

CLAY STOKES DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

JOHN MIDDLETON IT MANAGER 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

NICHOLAS LLOYD DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

PHIL AUBREY WAREHOUSE TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

RAY WILLIAMS DRIVING TEAM 15 YEARS OF SERVICE

ROBERT WOODWARD DRIVING TEAM 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

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AWARDS AMANDA BROWN DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

ANDREW BEAN MANAGEMENT 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

DAVID CUNNINGHAM DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

DAVID DUNNE DRIVING TEAM 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

DEREK PARRY DRIVING TEAM 15 YEARS OF SERVICE

EDWIN SUMMERS WAREHOUSE TEAM 15 YEARS OF SERVICE

JONATHAN ROWBOTTON

DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

KENNETH WRIGHT DRIVING TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

LEE HOLPIN WAREHOUSE TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

MICHAEL LIPSCOMB DRIVING TEAM 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

ROGER COMFORT DRIVING TEAM 15 YEARS OF SERVICE

SEAN SUMMERS WORKSHOP TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

STEPHEN JACKSON WORKSHOP TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE

STEVEN MAGNAN WAREHOUSE TEAM 10 YEARS OF SERVICE WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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HGV Driver Sue Hyde demonstrates the cab to a young female

Wowing the crowds for more than 30 years, Truckfest provides an important meeting place for all sectors of the industry, as well as a viable alternative to make contact in a relaxed atmosphere.

We attended the South West & Wales event with the picturesque backdrop of the Malvern Hills and superb on site facilities, whilst the North West event was set in the heart of the stunning Cheshire Countryside.

With families, drivers and spotters alike the intensity of the crowds spoke volumes about the festival's popularity, and we were proud to have exhibited at one of the UK's greatest Transport festivals.

Special thanks to Driver Trainers Ronnie Wallis, Andy Heaven and Steve Mascall, Training Support John Smith and Phil Marsh, HR Manager Katrina Green, Recruitment Manager David Leleu, HGV Apprentice Richard Aldridge, Runcorn Depot Manager Jannette Wallace, Head of Northern Operations Gavin Shannon and HGV Drivers Sue Hyde, Annette Stagg, James Williams and Gavin Booker who all volunteered their time to make the event a success.

APPRENTICESHIPS

DEDICATED TO TRAINING Apprenticeships have been a hot topic this

warehouse in Chepstow - discussed on page

Andy Downton, Managing Director said:

year with the launch of the apprenticeship

26 - where we are currently recruiting up to

“Having our own vehicle will significantly

levy and the introduction of apprenticeship

100 new drivers to build a team of around 250

increase our ability to recruit and train new

standards across all industries.

at the site.

drivers quickly and to our own high standards

With the help of our Apprenticeship Open Day

In addition to training new recruits, the vehicle

and focused efforts online, we have continued

will be used to upgrade existing drivers from

We also recognise that helping members of

to recruit a further nine HGV apprentices

HGV Class C (formerly Class 2) to Class C+E

our existing team to achieve the higher license

across the UK.

(formerly Class 1) licences.

is good for their careers and gives us greater

THE NEXT GENERATION

We currently employ around 800 drivers,

This year we're pleased to have welcomed

some of whom are unable to drive our largest

Gloucester

Hutton,

vehicles because they only have the Class

Michael Lyons, Bradley Trott, Josh Robinson,

C qualification. Training more drivers to

Stephen Dillon and Jack Miles and Leeds

the higher level will provide us with greater

apprentice Lewis Collins.

operational flexibility across different contracts

apprentices

Steven

We're pleased to crown Richard Aldridge, pictured right, as this year's outstanding

Driver trainer, Andy Heaven, has been completing the qualifications needed to provide the transitional training to other employees.

apprentice.

Outstanding Apprentice

award

was

created in 2016 to recognise the apprentice who

has

demonstrated

unfathomable

dedication and professionalism to their new career in transport and logistics.

Richard volunteered to represent Downton at both the Apprenticeship Open Day and both Truckfest South West and North West events, where he displayed unbounded enthusiasm.

NEW RESOURCES We have introduced a dedicated driver training vehicle to help recruit new drivers and enhance the skills of existing staff more quickly and easily.

A DAF vehicle has been converted to accommodate an additional passenger so that an observer can accompany the trainee driver and instructor in the cab.

The vehicle will initially be located at our new HGV Apprentices Bradley Trott and Josh Robinson

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flexibility.�

and vehicle types.

OUTSTANDING APPRENTICE

The

without relying on external service providers.

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Training vehicle before its makeover

HGV Apprentice Richard Aldridge with the new training vehicle WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

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CASE STUDY

Dean Davis

ENABLING BIGGER VOLUMES FOR DYSON We have introduced a totally new warehouse

with even higher peaks expected during

the "old world” system is that all stock

management system (WMS) to cope with

this year’s event. After assessing various

movement and order picking tasks are fully

ever-increasing throughput and new ways of

major WMS solutions with the help of an

directed by the WMS.

working at our Dyson distribution centre in

external consultant, we chose a solution from

Gloucestershire.

Jungheinrich.

The new WMS went live on 4 September in

Members of Jungheinrich’s WMS development

tell the driver what to do, such as take a pallet

good time for the all-important Christmas peak

team in Austria visited the Dyson warehouse

from location A to location B.

season which includes the highly demanding

for three days in May to learn more.

Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend at the end of November.

THE SOLUTION The biggest challenge was to introduce

The previous on-site WMS had been used for 11 years and it worked well when managing full-pallet movements and bulk orders for the retailers who stock Dyson’s vacuum cleaners and other products.

With Dyson, we realised changes were needed

20

@CMDOWNTON

complete support for Dyson’s direct sales operation by enabling limitless daily picking volumes alongside the existing bulk pallet

Every truck has been fitted with a radio data terminal (RDT) which works with the WMS to

The WMS takes all the decisions and keeps track of the complete inventory which has improved accuracy and productivity in the warehouse. Jungheinrich devised a similarly clever solution to support the direct sales operation.

operation. Jungheinrich developed a robust

Customer orders placed through Dyson’s

solution that met the operational requirement.

website are sent to the WMS automatically

The biggest difference with what we coined

/DOWNTONDELIVERSS

with no need for manual intervention which

saves time and reduces errors. All picking staff

means more orders will be completed first time

systems were run alongside each other with

have been equipped with a portable RDT and

and on time to reduce costs for all parties and

some real goods-inward, bulk picking and

belt-mounted printer.

improve customer services.

direct sales picking tasks completed on the

The RDT tells them which items to pick and

PEAK VOLUMES

where to find them. They scan the item’s serial number and the belt printer produces a label with this and other important information.

The label is applied to the item which is then ready for despatch to customers using one of Dyson’s parcel carriers. Recording serial numbers related to each order is critical because this allow Dyson to match products to guarantees, warranties and other customercentric information.

This completely new process means that warehouse staff only need to interact with an item once during their order picking tasks when the “old world” system required six different actions. This has increased productivity and throughput significantly which will enable the same number of people to deal with far higher numbers of orders from now on.

In addition to this significant benefit, the WMS manages workloads, sets priorities and ensures information is shared accurately and immediately with various applications used by Downton, Dyson and the parcel carriers. This

new WMS so that everyone saw how it worked

This year Dyson is predicting order volumes of up to 28,000 orders each day over the Black Friday weekend, around two or three times

The warehouse team completed a detailed stock-take of all 32,000 pallet locations.

Once the data had all been checked it was transferred onto the new system with just three

higher than last year.

minor errrors.

The picking speed and accuracy enabled by the WMS will allow us to cope with these workloads. We have been able to prepare detailed plans for the weekend, including the number of administration and picking staff

Managing the transition for our 34 permanent warehouse and administrative employees and 14 agency staff was important as few of them had experience of using a WMS.

required to cope with the peak volumes, using

Jungheinrich provided two weeks of intensive

information from the WMS.

training in the run-up to the 4 September go-

The

orders

will

be

collected

from

the

warehouse throughout the day by around 25 parcel carrier vehicles, with the last leaving at 22:30. Careful scheduling of these collections, enabled by information from WMS, will allow

live date which included running a trial system so that our employees could practise using it.

The development team was on-site for during the go-live period to deal with any teething problems straight away.

picking to continue throughout the day without

Dyson Warehouse Manager Andy Woodward

causing congestion or bottlenecks in despatch

says: “This meant when we switched from the

and loading areas.

old to new systems the team wasn’t frightened

SYSTEM MIGRATION The project team planned the migration from

of it. Some of them struggled for first week but we supported them and said ‘stick with it’ and now everyone loves it."

old to new systems in great detail. Both

Simon Watson Photo Caption: Lorem Ipsum Dolor Name and Name WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

21

BUSINESS WINS

L-R: John Downton, Isover's Simon Tait, Isover's John Pointon and Runcorn Depot Manager Jannette Wallace

NEW CONTRACT WITH ISOVER We're

working

with

leading

insulation

collection of loads from the factory. With limited

loads to Isover’s building trade customers and

manufacturer Isover, part of the global Saint

space on the site for loading, and little room for

other stockists.

Gobain group, as part of a five-year transport

expansion as production volumes grew, this

contract.

led to some scheduling issues and periods of

We have taken on the management, transport and shunting teams from the previous transport provider under TUPE regulations and also acquired a number of Isover-liveried trailers.

THE SOLUTION

the customer experience is aligned with our own service charter and will ensure our

finished products are shunted directly from the

products are delivered as quickly as possible

factory store to its own facility where there is

and on time.

Isover manufactures a range of mineral wool

This eliminates the need for delivery vehicles

insulation products at its factory in Runcorn,

to visit the factory which has significantly

Cheshire. This is located just 400m from our

reduced the number of movements on site,

own facility in the town, which presented

leading to simpler administrative and health

an opportunity to configure an innovative

and safety compliance processes.

The operation involves daily deliveries of

The previous transport provider had co-

between 30 and 35 loads of palletised slab

ordinated the operations of its own fleet and

and roll insulation weighing up to 10 tonnes.

multiple sub-contractors to arrange the

These are delivered as full and multi-drop

@CMDOWNTON

“CM Downton’s commitment to improving

We offered an alternative solution whereby

more room for loading and future expansion.

22

UK, commented:

congestion which put a strain on deliveries.

ABOUT ISOVER

transport solution.

John Pointon, supply chain manager at Isover

/DOWNTONDELIVERSS

Downton was able to demonstrate innovation and value that will support Isover’s ongoing business growth with added stability. Part of the transfer to CM Downton will include updated branding to 20 of Isover’s trailers in line with the company’s new Sound Good Factor campaign.”

CONTRACT RENEWALS

SALT CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH INEOS Ineos Salt, the UK’s largest supplier of vacuum

is less than six miles from our local hub depot,

salt products, has renewed a warehousing

which means that transport operations can

and distribution contract, that sees us manage

be simplified with little wasted time or empty

groupage and full-load distribution of palletised

running.

bagged products to its customers throughout the UK.

This year, we made a significant investment to

We manage up to 10 consignments each day with some deliveries made to customers

A business unit of Ineos Enterprises, Ineos

direct from the factory and some consolidated

Salt supplies a full range of products for most

through its Runcorn depot.

applications and industry needs including food salts, water softening salts, animal feed,

David

Hutchings,

Business

Development

Manager at CM Downton, said: “We have delivered an excellent service to Ineos Salt over the past couple of years and

We have been working for Ineos Salt for the past two years and the latest contract extension has been awarded because of the successful operation we have implemented during that time.

expand our fleet by confirming orders for 100 new DAF trucks, 100 Cartwright curtainsiders and 100 Tiger Trailers curtainsiders.

The additional capacity provided by these

industrial and chemical, and de-icing salts, and operates to ISO9001:2000 standard.

INVESTMENT IN 300 TRUCKS AND TRAILERS

the extension builds on the relationship we have established. Our major warehousing and distribution facility in Runcorn is ideally located to serve companies in the North West region who need to get their products

Salt is processed, bagged and palletised at

delivered across the UK quickly, efficiently and

Ineos Salt’s facility in Runcorn, Cheshire. This

economically.”

vehicles

will

support

new

and

existing

contracts as our business continues to grow.

The highly efficient DAF XF trucks, among the most powerful in the manufacturer’s range, have been configured to Downton’s own specification including MX13 460bhp Euro 6 engine, Super Space Cab, 6×2 axle configuration,

and

AS

Tronic

automatic

transmission.

As with all Downton trucks, these will be maintained

in-house.

The

Tiger

Trailers

and Cartwright trailers are all fitted with EN-

NEW CONTRACT WITH MAGAZINE WHOLESALER SMITH NEWS Smiths News, the UK’s leading newspaper

to deliver well over half of all newspapers and

and magazine wholesaler, has awarded us

magazines read throughout the country.

a contract covering daily trunking operations between

its

magazines

hub

in

Hemel

Hempstead and depots in Stevenage and Hornsey.

means that supply chains have to be highly efficient and flexible, with the ability to manage deliveries as well as returns from retailers. We meet these challenges with regular deliveries

morning, afternoon and evening deliveries

and collections to and from local depots

and returns between the sites. It was awarded

throughout the day.

in the UK print and paper sector being a key factor in the decision.

to our specification.

News production is a 24-hour business which

The contract started in June 2017 and includes

after competitive tender, with our experience

standard curtains and have been configured

This is our first direct contract with Smiths News

although

we

have

been

making

deliveries into the wholesaler’s depots as part

The magazines distribution hub in Hemel

of our operation for other clients who feed

Hempstead serves other Smiths News depots

into the extensive UK news and print delivery

throughout the south east. In total Smith News

network.

operates 39 sites serving 30,000 customers WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

23

CASE STUDY

Sharpness Warehouse

FEVER-TREE DOUBLES VOLUMES WITH SUPPORT FROM DOWNTON Since working with Fever-Tree in the Autumn

other drinks businesses being a major factoin

highly efficient load optimisation and delivery

of 2016, we have supported the market-

the decision.

scheduling to maximise vehicle fill.

We operate the contract from our new

These efficiencies have allowed us to handle

15,700m2 (170,000ft2) Sharpness distribution

increased volumes without a corresponding

centre

increase in vehicle movements and deliveries.

leading supplier of premium carbonated mixers through another period of remarkable growth.

in

Gloucestershire,

offering

a

During the first half of 2017 Fever-Tree’s UK

comprehensive logistics solution including

business grew by 113 per cent.

managing primary transport from two main

Fever-Tree has been one of the drinks trade’s biggest success stories. Launched just eleven years ago, it is now the world’s leading supplier of premium carbonated mixers by retail sales value and one of the fastest growing drinks businesses. Its products are served in nine of the world’s top ten restaurants.

by Fever-Tree following a competitive tender process, with our experience in working with @CMDOWNTON

the beginning of the operation and the two companies have established EDI links.

10,000 pallets across an increasing range of Fever-Tree products and distribution to a broad range of customers throughout the UK, including retail, wholesale, on-trade and Horeca/food service channels.

They expect that these and other soon-to-beimplemented communication enhancements will continue to drive efficiency and remove time and complexity from the picking and despatch processes. The development of

We have worked together with Fever-Tree to

We were awarded the UK distribution contract

24

m anufacturing locations, warehousing up to

Processes have developed and evolved since

ensure the operation continues to meet the challenges associated with growing volumes.

This has included, for example, ensuring

/DOWNTONDELIVERSS

system-to-system communications will bring further improvements to the supply chain.

CONTRACT RENEWALS

DOWNTON CONTINUES TO BE CORRECT CHOICE FOR DS SMITH PLASTICS

DOWNTON EXTENDS SAICA PAPER CONTRACT SAICA Paper, a leader in the manufacturing of paper for corrugated cardboard, has extended its contract with us for another year.

We have extended our contract with corrugated plastics packaging manufacturer DS Smith Plastics for a further two years.

part of the DS Smith group, since 2014. strong

relationship

that started when SAICA Paper opened its new Paper Mill at Partington, Manchester in early

We have been working with DS Smith Plastics,

The

This latest agreement builds on a relationship

that

we

2012.

As one of SAICA Paper’s main transport

have

service providers, we handle deliveries of

established, along with service improvements,

baled recycled paper from sources across the

enhanced capabilities and cost savings made

UK into Partington and deliver finished paper

by us during this time, were all factors in DS

reels to SAICA Paper’s customers in the UK

Smith Plastics’ decision to extend the contract

packaging industry.

with us.

In addition to managing these in-bound and

Under the contract, we deliver up to ten multi-

out-bound transport flows, we provide on-

drop loads of plastics packaging each day from

site shunting services and maintain an on-

the DS Smith Plastics manufacturing plant in

site management function to liaise with the

Gloucester to customers throughout the UK.

manufacturer.

A combination of stand trailers and live loading

Transporting bales of recycled paper along

facilitated by our proximity to the DS Smith

with large and heavy paper reels presents

Plastics plant provides a flexible solution.

a number of challenges. We have worked

Delivery notifications received by midday result

closely with SAICA Paper and the wider

in products arriving at customers’ locations the

industry to ensure that we are able to meet and

following day.

exceed regulations and requirements around

David

Hutchings,

Head

of

Business

Development at CM Downton, said: “The relationship and track record we have built up with DS Smith Plastics resulted in the extension against strong competition. It’s great for us to support another leading business in Gloucestershire and demonstrates our ability to devise and implement a flexible solution to meet a demanding customer’s requirements.”

load security through effective trailer design, incorporating non-slip floors, load bearing curtains, load security systems and not least an extensive driver training programme.

In addition to SAICA Paper, we also provide transport services to sister businesses SAICA Pack and SAICA Natur under separate contracts.

This has allowed us to introduce an integrated approach that supports the needs of each

DOWNTON BAGS CONTRACT RENEWAL WITH GLATFELTER Glatfelter, a global supplier of speciality papers and engineered products, has renewed its contract with us.

This latest agreement covers the transportation of paper reels used for manufacturing tea-bags and coffee filters, and extends a relationship that started in the 1990s.

Under the contract, we transport palletised reels of paper from Glatfelter’s manufacturing plants in Gloucestershire and South Wales to beverage producers including the majority of the leading brands located throughout the UK. We also manage other aspects of Glatfelter’s operations under separate contracts that are not part of the latest announcement.

These include managing both raw materials and finished goods warehouse operations, along with in-bound deliveries of raw materials to the manufacturer’s plants. This allows the company to benefit from an integrated approach that supports the needs of each part of the business while offering transport synergies, efficiencies and cost savings.

David

Hutchings,

Head

of

Business

Development at CM Downton, said: “We have a long-term relationship with Glatfelter and have been managing various aspects of their logistics operations for many years. This latest contract renewal shows that our partnership approach provides stability for our customers and helps them improve their supply chain activities and achieve their business objectives.”

business while offering transport synergies, efficiencies and cost savings.

WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

25

EXPANSION

CONTINUED EXPANSION IN SOUTH WALES Within twelve months we’ve increased our

comprises

distribution

Andy Downton, Managing Director said: “The

foothold in South Wales from one to two sites,

warehouse with 16,000ft2 (1500m2) of office

market continues to consolidate and clients

bringing our total number of UK depots to 16.

space, workshops, drive-through washing, a

are looking for one-stop solutions with scale.

Chepstow has proved to be a sound move, due to its easy access to the M4 and, with a choice of crossings over the River Severn,

a

282,000ft2

gatehouse, extensive lorry and trailer parking and separate car parking. And prior to our acquisition, the site was occupied by the BBC for the filming of Saturday-night drama

good links with the rest of the UK.

Atlantis.

higher on the English side of the river while the ending of crossing tolls by the end of 2018, announced by the Government earlier this year, will remove further cost and complexity from vehicle operations. HGVs are currently charged up to £20 per crossing.

Originally built for Tesco in 1988, the new site

The warehouse will be used to consolidate and increase our operations for our customers with production facilities in the region. We’re refurbishing the site, improving workshop facilities

warehouse in Tuffley.

Warehouse

Operative at Quedgeley West in November 2016, Colin has continued to impress his senior operatives.

Colin left behind a fulfilling career at a local charity to take on a 'new challenge' and reports having renewed job satisfaction in his new role.

Colin now runs a team of six in Tuffley, accepting all Dyson exchanges and returns.

The team sorts the 'good' products to be returned to Dyson for 'regrade', and the items past repair are sent for recycling.

26

@CMDOWNTON

on-site

office

our client base in South Wales and this site offered an excellent opportunity for us to expand our capacity in the region and add to our existing network. It’s basically a 20 acre site with extensive facilities but with 12 acres

for expansion.”

at our new Dyson Spares and Returns

a

upgrading

We have seen significant growth among

vehicles at the site within the next 12 months.

earned him the title of Warehouse Supervisor

as

arise to acquire depots of this size but this one

of outdoor space for vehicle parking and room

motto to 'deliver, no matter what' which has

starting

potential for expansion. Very few opportunities

We anticipate that we will base around 150

Colin Jenkins, pictured right, embodies our

only

and

accommodation as part of our investment.

A WAREHOUSE OF HIS OWN

Despite

the right combination of location, facilities and

ticked all the boxes.

There are many more advantages to operating in Chepstow, including property costs being

As a business we prefer to invest in sites with

/DOWNTONDELIVERSS

L-R: Alun Young, Leslie Merchant, Jamie Huntley, Shaun Merchant, Greg Burleu and Mircea Neagu WWW.DOWNTON.CO.UK

27

Lutz Rentel, Gloucester Warehouse

C M DOWNTON LTD BRISTOL ROAD MORETON VALENCE GLOUCESTER GL2 7ND 01452 720242 INFO@DOWNTONGROUP.COM