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Successive shortlist double for Browns! missing alt!
CompanyIndustry

Successive shortlist double for Browns

We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for a duo of honours at this year’s Motor Transport Awards! Since their introduction in 1986, the Motor Transport Awards have celebrated the very best of the road haulage industry, and are widely regarded as the pinnacle of excellence among UK road transport fleet operators, vehicle manufacturers, and other innovators. We’re proud to be shortlisted for both the Haulier of the Year Award and the Customer Care Award. With the former recognising operators who consistently demonstrate customer service excellence, and the latter billed as the most coveted award in the road transport industry, recognising an outstanding company with tenacity for adaptability, innovation and excellence. Having previously been shortlisted in both 2016 and 2023, our place in back-to-back finals is a nod to our team’s efforts in pushing us to achieve greatness in everything that we do, and provide a service to be proud of. A judging panel of more than 50 independent leaders in the transport industry sat down to review entries, and Browns sits among industry stalwarts and trailblazers alike. Winners will be announced at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, on Wednesday 4th September 2024, with the ceremony being the third in Browns' busy summer schedule, following shortlists in both the UKWA Awards for Excellence , and the Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce Business Awards. A big thank you to Motor Transport and category sponsors. And of course, we owe a huge shout-out to our customers for their continued trust and support! #TeamBrowns

Driver duo to take on Stoke to London cycle fundraiser! missing alt!
CompanyCommunity

Driver duo to take on Stoke to London cycle fundraiser

On 13th June 2024, two of the Browns driving team will take on a 150 mile cycle from Stoke-on-Trent to London, fundraising for the Dougie Mac hospice. The pair will follow the canal system on their journey, beginning their route along the Trent & Mersey canal, then joining the Grand Union Canal all the way to central London. The Browns duo, Pete Durber and Steve Haynes, will be joined by friends Rich, Ash and Will, who have all had personal experiences with Dougie Mac. Please join us in wishing Pete, Steve and friends the very best of luck! If you’d like to donate to their cause, you can do so via JustGiving.

What does our BRCGS accreditation mean?! missing alt!
Insight

What does our BRCGS accreditation mean?

We've just made one of the most exciting announcements in our history... We're AA accredited to the BRCGS Storage and Distribution standard! BRCGS is a leading global brand and consumer protection organisation, used by over 29,000 certificated suppliers in over 130 countries. It sets standards for food safety, packaging, storage, and distribution, ensuring that products meet quality, safety, and operational criteria. But what does this mean for you? We've outlined all the benefits of our new accreditation, and why we're so excited about it! If you’re an existing customer… Even greater trust and confidence in our service We’re always shouting about our commitment to quality, safety and compliance. And quite simply, BRCGS accreditation holds us to our claims. Accreditation involves a rigorous audit process, including a full and detailed look into our policies and operating procedures, so you can have complete trust and confidence in our services. Improved supply chain efficiency Our compliance to BRCGS standard helps to improve our overall supply chain efficiency. This means enhanced safety practices, better resource management, and robust quality assurance processes to help us keep service levels high, and your customers happy. A culture of continuous improvement The BRCGS standard promotes a culture of continuous improvement, perfectly aligning with our own ethos: Passion, People, Planet. This synergy ensures that our processes are constantly evolving and enhancing, ultimately benefiting you with innovative and forward-thinking practices. A future-proofed Browns BRCGS accreditation not only helps in identifying and mitigating risks but also ensures smooth and uninterrupted supply chain operations. The standard helps our resilience against potential disruptions and works to strengthen our commitment to delivering reliable and efficient services. If you’re a prospective customer… Streamlined supplier process With BRCGS certification being a globally recognised and trusted standard, we meet the highest benchmarks for quality and safety. Often a prerequisite for procurement tenders, our certification allows you to bypass some of your rigorous vetting processes, saving valuable time and effort when onboarding us as a supplier. Comprehensive coverage BRCGS certification covers a huge range of aspects, from quality control to hygiene practices, which ensures that all your needs, and the needs of your customers, are comprehensively met. Reduced risk of supply chain disruption Our BRCGS accreditation helps to ensure a stable supply chain, minimising risks associated with product contamination or logistics failures. Reputation for excellence BRCGS certification not only helps us attract new customers and enter new markets, but also reassures your own customers that their goods are being handled by a reliable and trusted provider on your behalf. And there you have it! Want to discuss our BRCGS accreditation and complete warehousing and distribution services a bit further? Arrange an introduction with the team .

Distribution House gets highest seal of approval from BRCGS...We are AA accredited.
Company

Distribution House gets highest seal of approval from BRCGS...

We are thrilled to share that Distribution House has been graded ‘AA’ for the BRGCS Storage and Distribution standard , the highest possible announced audit status. BRCGS, a leading global brand and consumer protection organisation, sets benchmarks for best practices in food safety, packaging, storage, and distribution, recognising quality, safety, compliance, and a culture of continuous improvement. Distribution House, Browns’ 87,000 sq ft facility in Stoke-on-Trent, opened in 2023 and offers over 13,000 spaces of ambient pallet storage. After eagerly holding onto this news for the past few weeks, I’m thrilled to finally celebrate and share this outstanding achievement with the team and our customers. From our warehousing team to our drivers on the roads, everyone has played a crucial role in this rigorous process, and it’s a clear demonstration of our ambition, and dedication to providing the best service levels in Staffordshire and beyond. David Brown Jnr, Managing Director A special thank you goes to Warehouse Manager, Luke Cobden, Project Lead Phil Ellis, and our warehousing team for their dedication and tireless efforts in getting our processes and procedures in place for the audit. More: What does BRCGS mean for me?

We're UKWA Awards for Excellence Finalists!! missing alt!
CompanyIndustry

We're UKWA Awards for Excellence Finalists!

We are thrilled to have been shortlisted for the Logistics Service Provider of the Year Award, at the 2024 UK Warehousing Association Awards for Excellence. First held in 1999, and organised by the UKWA - Britain’s leading trade organisation for the logistics sector - the awards celebrate excellence in the warehousing sector and highlight the achievements of the top-performing individuals and organisations across our industry. Shortlisted for the same award in 2023, but just missing out, we'll be hoping to return from London this year with the trophy in-hand. The Logistics Service Provider Award specifically recognises professionalism, great leadership and a demonstration of continual best practice, alongside a full commitment to meet and exceed the UKWA’s key principles of working safely, ethically, and profitably. Managing Director, David Brown Jnr commented: We're thrilled to be in the running for Logistics Service Provider of the Year for the second year in a row. To be recognised among the very best in our industry is a testament to our team's dedication to exceptional service, and our ability to constantly evolve to keep ahead of our competitors, and position us as a preferred supply chain partner for the outstanding customers we serve. Winners will be announced at the UKWA Annual Lunch & Awards, at the Royal Lancaster London, on Wednesday 10 July 2024. #TeamBrowns

Early May Bank Holiday! missing alt!
Company

Early May Bank Holiday

With the first of May's Bank Holiday weekends just around the corner, we've put together our schedule so you can plan ahead. Our office will be closed from Saturday through to Monday. If you have any questions before the break, please contact us. From all the team at Browns, we'd like to wish you a relaxing weekend. Date Office Earliest Delivery Friday 3 May Open Next day - Tues 7 May Economy - Weds 8/Thurs 9 May Saturday 4 May Closed Sunday 5 May Closed Monday 6 May Closed Tuesday 7 May Open Normal operation resumed

A charity event you’ll ‘Knot’ want to miss…! missing alt!
Community

A charity event you’ll ‘Knot’ want to miss…

We’re excited to be joining businesses across Staffordshire in June, for Knot Events’ inaugural charity sports day! Held at Staffordshire University, we’re calling on fellow businesses in Stoke and Staffordshire to join us in in taking part in this inclusive traditional sports day, all in support of charity. No matter your age or ability, there’s an event for everyone. You’ll be doing something fun, and raising vital funds for 10 chosen charities across the county. Prepare for a day filled with classic sporting events, mental challenges, and some thrilling reinventions! What’s not to love? Event Details Friday 28th June 2024, 9:30am - 3:30pm Staffordshire University, Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST4 2DF To find out more, and to book your team’s place, click here!

Palletline and the 'Hub and Spoke' Revolution! missing alt!
IndustryInsight

Palletline and the 'Hub and Spoke' Revolution

The introduction of the 'Hub and Spoke' pallet distribution model in the early 90s ushered in a new era for palletised freight delivery in the UK, and fundamentally changed the way we transport goods. The model's concept revolves around centralising operations at a central hub and connecting various spokes to facilitate efficient and streamlined movement of goods to and from different locations. As one of the pioneering pallet networks in the country, our network partners Palletline , were among the first to introduce and popularise the Hub and Spoke model for pallet delivery. At its core, a pallet network consists of groups of professional hauliers, just like Browns. Together, they offer cost-effective delivery services, catering to businesses seeking to distribute goods across the UK and further afar. Browns joined the Palletline network way back in 1995! The hub and spoke model is as simple as it is clever. Hauliers collect pallets within their local areas (usually defined by postcode areas) and return them to their depot. From there, pallets destined for delivery outside their local area are consolidated and transported to the network's central hub. At the hub, pallets are sorted and redistributed onto delivery vehicles bound for their respective destinations, which will now be transported by the haulier responsible for the intended delivery area. Upon reaching the haulier's depot, pallets are ready for final delivery, ensuring seamless logistics operations from start to finish. This means that no matter where you send a pallet from, or to, Browns can use Palletline’s vast member network will get your goods to their destination, quickly, safely, and on schedule. As the most reliable network in the country, more than six thousand vehicles handle roughly 3.5 million pallets every single year – all of them with a total damage rate of just 0.01%. And, on top of this, Palletline operates with a multi-hub model, meaning broader geographical coverage, shorter transit times and greater flexibility when it comes to fluctuating demand and tackling peak periods. What benefits does the Hub and Spoke model bring? The hub and spoke model is renowned for its efficiency, making it a preferred choice for many distribution networks, us included. But what specific perks does it bring? Cost-effectiveness: Centralised hubs enable economies of scale in transportation and distribution, resulting in lower overall logistics costs like equipment and IT. Improved Service: The model allows for streamlined operations, leading to faster transit times and more reliable delivery schedules. Network Flexibility: Hubs can accommodate changes in volume and demand more effectively than point-to-point systems, offering greater adaptability to evolving business needs. Reduced Carbon Footprint: Consolidating shipments not reduces the number of vehicles on the road, but the number of miles they travel. Perfect for carbon-cutting. Palletline’s multi-hub model reduces annual mileage by 4.5 million! How Palletline Works: A Hub and Spoke Model Ready to see the hub and spoke model work for your business? Let's talk!

An eggs-traordinary response to our Easter mission. Thank you!! missing alt!
Community

An eggs-traordinary response to our Easter mission. Thank you!

We had the pleasure of delivering hundreds of eggs to children and families across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire last week, as part of our first ever Easter egg appeal. We were proud to support 3 amazing charities; the Hubb Foundation , Alice Charity and the Gingerbread Centre , who dedicate themselves to supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged families in our local community. In total, we managed to collect over 250 eggs of all shapes and sizes along with hundreds of creme eggs, bunnies, bars and other chocolate goodies. Tom Armstrong, Marketing Executive said: "For our first charity appeal of this kind, we were overwhelmed by the response and generosity of our team and customers. There’s nothing quite like team spirit when uniting for a good cause, and we’re already looking forward to our next effort." A huge thank you to our friends at Churchill China (Helen Blackburn), Furlong Mills , Kaspa’s Desserts (Will Bowers) and the Trust Bruce Foundation for their generous support of our appeal. #TeamBrowns

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