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Company

Celebrating 44 Years of Mick Stirzaker at Browns Distribution

Some milestones deserve more than a mention, and Mick Stirzaker’s 44 years at Browns Distribution is certainly one of them. Mick’s story with Browns began in 1982, when he first joined the business and became part of a team that would go on to shape much of his working life. After leaving in 1985, Mick returned in 1989, and from that point on, he became a constant and trusted presence within the company. Over the years, Mick has played an important role in the development of our transport operation and the wider success of Browns Distribution. His long-standing contribution is a reminder that businesses are not built by systems and processes alone, but by people who bring knowledge, consistency and care to their work every day. As Transport Development Manager, Mick’s contribution reaches far beyond a job title. Transport is at the heart of Browns Distribution, and over the years Mick has helped ensure that our operation remains reliable, compliant and ready to meet the needs of our customers. From day-to-day transport planning to compliance, vehicle maintenance and operational standards, Mick’s experience has helped create the structure and consistency that a strong transport business depends on. Over the last four decades, the logistics industry has changed beyond recognition. Regulations have evolved, customer expectations have grown, technology has transformed ways of working, and the demands placed on transport teams have become increasingly complex. Through all of that change, Mick has remained a dependable figure within Browns, bringing calm judgement, practical knowledge and a commitment to doing things properly. David Brown Jnr, Managing Director, said: Mick’s contribution to Browns over the last 44 years is something we are incredibly proud of. His knowledge, loyalty and dedication have helped shape our transport operation and support the growth of the business. People like Mick are rare, and we are very lucky to have him as part of the Browns team. Mick’s 44-year milestone is not only a reflection of personal dedication, but also of the lasting impact one person can have on a business. His service represents loyalty, leadership and continuity, qualities that continue to make a difference across Browns Distribution every day. For any business, reaching important milestones is never the result of one thing alone. It is built through the efforts of people who show up, contribute, adapt and care about the standards they leave behind. Mick is one of those people, and his contribution has become part of the Browns story. On behalf of everyone at Browns, thank you, Mick, for 44 years of commitment, service and contribution. Your role in our journey is one we are incredibly proud to celebrate.

Company

Strengthening Browns for Future Growth

Browns Distribution has strengthened its board and senior leadership team as Graham Pearson joins the business as Finance Director. Graham’s arrival marks an important step in Browns’ continued development, as the business focuses on long-term growth, operational performance and the next stage of its strategic plans. Graham joins Browns with 25 years’ experience in finance and leadership, having operated at Director level across both UK and international businesses. His career has spanned a wide range of sectors including ecommerce, SaaS, automotive, media and manufacturing. Throughout his career, Graham has played a key role in supporting business growth, acquisitions, system development and change management. This experience brings valuable commercial insight to Browns at a time when the company is continuing to invest in its people, systems and service offering. Commenting on Graham joining the business, Managing Director, David Brown Jnr said: Graham joining Browns is an important step as we continue to strengthen our board and senior leadership team. His financial expertise, commercial experience and understanding of business growth will be invaluable as we look ahead to the next phase of our development. We are pleased to welcome him to the business and look forward to the contribution he will make. As Finance Director, Graham will lead the finance function and work closely with the board and senior leadership team to support strategic decision-making across the business. His role will focus on strengthening financial performance, supporting operational efficiency and helping to shape the company’s future direction. With Browns continuing to evolve, the Finance Director role will be central to ensuring the business has the financial structure, insight and processes needed to support its ambitions. Graham’s experience across change management, acquisitions and system development will support Browns as it continues to build for the future. Speaking about joining Browns, Graham said: I’m delighted to be joining Browns. The business has clear ambitions for the future, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the board and senior leadership team to support those plans, strengthen financial performance and help Browns continue to move forward. Graham’s arrival supports Browns’ focus on building a resilient, forward-thinking business with the leadership, expertise and structure in place to support its next stage of growth.

Company

Browns Goes Green for Mental Health Awareness Week

The team at Browns Distribution came together for Wear it Green Day, raising an incredible £233 for the Mental Health Foundation. Held at Distribution House, the day brought the team together in support of an important cause, with green outfits across the site, a team raffle with prizes up for grabs, and Domino’s pizza to keep everyone fuelled throughout the day. Wear it Green Day is part of Mental Health Awareness Week, a UK-wide campaign organised by the Mental Health Foundation. The campaign takes place every May and aims to highlight the importance of good mental health, challenge stigma, and encourage practical action to support wellbeing. The Mental Health Foundation has been leading Mental Health Awareness Week for the last 25 years. As the only UK charity solely focused on preventing poor mental health, the organisation works through research, campaigning, and practical programmes to help build and protect good mental health. Wear it Green Day encourages schools, workplaces, communities, families, and friends to wear green, raise awareness, start conversations, and fundraise to support the Mental Health Foundation’s vital work. For Browns Distribution, it was a fantastic opportunity to bring the team together while supporting a cause that affects so many people across the UK. To learn more about Mental Health Awareness Week, Wear it Green Day, and the Mental Health Foundation’s work to prevent poor mental health, you can visit their website here . Thanks to the generosity of everyone who got involved, donated, wore green, and supported the raffle, the team raised £233, smashing the target that had been set. From green outfits and prize draws to shared conversations and a sense of team spirit, the day was a brilliant reminder that even small actions can make a meaningful difference. A huge thank you to every colleague who took part, donated, wore green, or helped make the event such a success. At Browns Distribution, we’re proud to support initiatives that bring people together, encourage positive conversations, and help make a difference both inside and outside the workplace.

Company

Driving Forward with New Fleet Additions

We are pleased to announce the arrival of four new Mercedes-Benz Actros L 2548 trucks, delivered in March 2026, as part of our ongoing investment in a modern and high-performing fleet. These latest additions build on our continued commitment to Mercedes-Benz vehicles in recent years, following the introduction of three Actros 2546 trucks in 2023 and six Actros L 2548 trucks in 2024. The new trucks further strengthen a well-balanced fleet that operates across three leading manufacturers, alongside Scania and MAN. This investment reflects our ongoing focus on efficiency, driver comfort, and safety across its operations. The Actros range is renowned for its advanced technology, fuel efficiency, and driver-focused design, aligning closely with the our operational standards. We also maintain a robust fleet rotation policy, ensuring no articulated vehicle remains in service for more than five years. The new vehicles will be deployed on general haulage duties across the UK. Lindy Crawford, Transport Manager at Browns Distribution, commented: We’ve had consistently positive feedback from both our drivers and operational teams on the Mercedes-Benz trucks. Their reliability, comfort, and the quality of telematics data they provide make a real difference to our day-to-day operations. We’re always looking to invest in the very best equipment to support our teams and deliver the highest levels of service for our customers. The new Actros units are finished in a special 70th anniversary livery, marking the conclusion of our milestone celebrations last year and reflecting both our heritage and our continued commitment to the future.

CommunityCompany

An Egg-cellent Effort for Our Community

We’re proud to share the success of our 2026 Easter Egg Appeal at Browns Distribution. Thanks to the generosity of our team, customers, suppliers, friends and family, we collected 300 Easter eggs, all donated to The Hubb Foundation to support children and families across Stoke-on-Trent this Easter. The Hubb Foundation plays a vital role in the local community, providing meals, activities and safe spaces for young people during the school holidays. Building on the success of our 2024 appeal, we set out to go even bigger in 2026, and thanks to the incredible support received, we did just that. We’d like to give special thanks to Churchill China , eStar Truck and Van Stoke , IAE , and Pro Vision Clothing for their generous contributions, alongside everyone who donated. Every donation, big or small, will help make a difference to families who need it most. A huge thank you to everyone involved, your support and community spirit make initiatives like this possible. At Browns Distribution, we’re proud to give back and support our local community.

Company

Easter Egg Appeal 2026

This Easter, we’re inviting our team, suppliers, partners and local community to get involved in our Easter Egg Appeal! We’re once again pleased to be supporting The Hubb Foundation, helping to bring a few smiles to children across Stoke-on-Trent. The Hubb Foundation supports children and families across Stoke-on-Trent through free activities, meals, and holiday programmes, giving young people safe places to spend time, learn and enjoy positive experiences. We're hunting for chocolate and eggs of all types, shapes, sizes, and free-from varieties. We collected over 300 eggs during our 2024 appeal , and this year, we’d love to go even bigger and better. If you’d like to support our appeal, please email marketing@brownsgroup.co.uk or drop your donation off at our main reception: Distribution House Chemical Lane East Stoke-on-Trent ST6 4FB Our appeal will run until Friday 27th March . With a bit of help from our brilliant community, let’s make this Easter egg-stra special for local children. Thank you, from everyone at Team Browns.

Company

Easter Schedule 2026

It's almost Springtime... And we're heading towards our first bank holiday of the year. We want to make sure your freight keeps moving smoothly. Below you’ll find our Easter 2026 operating schedule, including delivery cut-off dates to help you plan ahead. Planning ahead The run-up to Easter will be the busiest time of the year so far for pallet transport across the UK. To keep everything running smoothly, we recommend booking collections and deliveries as early as possible. This helps us make sure your pallets reach their destination on time and schedule. Operating Schedule Our office will be open as usual across the Easter weekend, but with a reduced team. table.easter-hours { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; } .easter-hours th, .easter-hours td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 0.6rem 0.8rem; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; } .easter-hours thead th { background: #ff4d00; color: #fff; } .easter-hours tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #f7f7f7; } /* Easter Sunday row */ .easter-hours tr.easter-sunday td { background: #ffdbcc; } .easter-hours .closed { text-align: center; font-weight: 600; } Date Operating Notes Thursday 2 April Normal Earliest Deliveries Next Day - Tuesday 7 April Economy - Wednesday 8 April Friday 3 April (Good Friday) Open Reduced team Saturday 4 April Saturday hours Collections only Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) Closed Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) Open Reduced team Tuesday 7 April Normal Normal operation resumes Amazon manifesting reopens Wednesday 8 April Normal Earliest Delivery Expected delivery dates for bookings made before Good Friday are listed below. table.easter-cutoff { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; } .easter-cutoff th, .easter-cutoff td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 0.6rem 0.8rem; text-align: left; } .easter-cutoff thead th { background: #ff4d00; color: #fff; } .easter-cutoff tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #f7f7f7; } Service Booked on Scheduled for Premium 24 Hour Thursday 2 April Tuesday 7 April Economy 48 Hour Thursday 2 April Wednesday 8 April Amazon All Amazon bookings before Easter shutdown must be manifested before 5pm on Thursday 2 April. Manifesting for all Amazon fulfilment centres will then reopen on Tuesday 7 April for deliveries on or after Wednesday 8 April. table.amazon-easter { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-family: inherit; } .amazon-easter th, .amazon-easter td { border: 1px solid #ddd; padding: 0.6rem 0.8rem; text-align: left; } .amazon-easter thead th { background: #ff4d00; color: #fff; } .amazon-easter tbody tr:nth-child(even) { background: #f7f7f7; } /* Closed rows */ .amazon-easter tr.closed-row td { background: #ffdbcc; } .amazon-easter .closed { text-align: center; font-style: italic; font-weight: 600; } Date Operating Notes Thursday 2 April Normal Last day for manifesting Friday 3 April (Good Friday) Closed Saturday 4 April Closed Sunday 5 April (Easter Sunday) Closed Monday 6 April (Easter Monday) Closed Tuesday 7 April Normal Amazon manifesting reopens Wednesday 8 April Normal Click here , or the button below to view and download our full schedule and delivery times. Need support? If you have any questions about your deliveries or need help planning your schedule, our Customer Support Team will be happy to help. You can reach them at 01782 525300 or email support@brownsgroup.co.uk . Thank you for a great start to 2026. From all the team at Browns Distribution, we wish you a happy, relaxing, and peaceful Easter weekend.

Company

5 Ways BRCGS Accreditation Strengthens Browns Distribution and What It Means for You

Browns Distribution has proudly held BRCGS Storage & Distribution accreditation since 2023 , and we’re delighted to have gone through our third accreditation audit, a testament to the hard work and dedication of our whole team. BRCGS (Brand Reputation through Compliance Global Standards) is one of the most globally recognised benchmarks for safety, quality and compliance in the supply chain. Achieving an AA+ grade under the BRCGS Storage & Distribution standard places Browns Distribution in the highest tier of accredited operators. The “+” denotes that our audit was completed unannounced, meaning our systems, controls and day-to-day practices were assessed exactly as they operate at any given time. This level of scrutiny demonstrates that compliance, safety and quality are embedded into our everyday operations, not just prepared for audit day. For customers, an AA+ grade provides added assurance that you’re working with a partner whose standards are consistently upheld, operationally mature and trusted by the most demanding global brands. 1. It Provides Independent Validation of Our Quality and Safety Standards Achieving BRCGS accreditation isn’t a rubber stamp, it’s a rigorous third-party audit of everything from operational policies to hygiene controls and traceability processes. This means that an objective expert reviews how we manage safety, quality and risk on your behalf. It’s not just our word, it’s verified excellence. For our customers, that translates into confidence in the safety and integrity of products stored and moved through our facilities, whether it’s short-term pallet storage or complex fulfilment operations. 2. It Drives Continuous Improvement Across Our Operations BRCGS isn’t a one-and-done checklist. The standard actively promotes a culture of continuous improvement, with internal audits, performance reviews and root-cause analysis built into the process. For Browns, that means we don’t just maintain standards, we elevate them. Our processes evolve to become more efficient, resilient and agile, helping us stay ahead of risks and deliver improved service levels every day. 3. It Enhances Supply Chain Transparency and Efficiency Meeting the BRCGS Storage & Distribution standard helps streamline how we run our supply chain. From expertly documented procedures to robust quality assurance systems, BRCGS gives us a framework that limits errors and increases reliability. That benefits customers by reducing paperwork, improving responsiveness and ensuring higher standards of consistency in how goods are handled, stored and distributed across our network. 4. It Strengthens Market Access and Supplier Confidence BRCGS certification is widely recognised and often required by major retailers, manufacturers and food service organisations around the world. For Browns, holding this accreditation including an AA+ grade at our Distribution House facility, reinforces our ability to participate in competitive procurement processes and partner with larger supply chain partners. For customers, this means: Faster onboarding and supplier vetting Fewer duplicate audits Access to markets and contracts that require BRCGS compliance through their supply chain It's a value-add that helps your business grow with us. 5. It Builds Trust, Reputation and Long-Term Resilience In today’s landscape, supply chain assurance isn’t optional, it’s expected. BRCGS certification signals to your customers and stakeholders that you choose partners committed to excellence. For Browns, that trust has helped us build a reputation for reliable, professional storage and distribution solutions. For our customers’ customers, it means peace of mind: their products are being expertly handled in safe, compliant environments that meet global standards. BRCGS accreditation isn’t just a badge, it’s a comprehensive framework that underpins how Browns Distribution operates every day. It: Provides independent quality assurance Encourages continuous improvement Enhances supply chain efficiency Expands market access Builds trust and resilience Together, these benefits make us a stronger partner for your business and support you in delivering excellence through your own supply chains. Whether you need secure pallet storage, compliant food-grade handling, or a distribution partner you can rely on day in and day out, our BRCGS AA+ accreditation gives you added assurance that Browns Distribution operates to the highest global standards, consistently, not just on audit day. If you’d like to learn more about our accredited processes or discuss how we can support your supply chain, our team would be happy to help.

Company

Top Marks Again for Distribution House in Latest BRCGS Audit...

Browns Distribution is proud to announce that we have achieved AA+ accreditation under the BRCGS Global Standard for Storage and Distribution , the highest possible award status, and a mark of excellence in logistics, quality, safety and compliance. BRCGS is one of the world’s most respected logistics standards for product safety, hygiene, operational controls and quality processes. The AA+ grade carries particular significance, as it can only be achieved through an unannounced audit, confirming that Browns consistently meets these high standards across our warehouse operations, pallet storage and distribution services. For our customers, this accreditation provides confidence that their products are handled, stored and distributed under the most outstanding conditions. Commitment to Quality and Operational Excellence To achieve an AA+ result is something the entire team is proud of. It reflects how we operate every single day. Keeping our facility clean, organised and compliant, and following clear, robust processes isn’t about preparing for an audit, it's just how we work. Luke Cobden, Warehouse Manager Luke added that the accreditation recognises not only the processes in place, but also the culture of quality, discipline and continuous improvement that drives the business forward. What BRCGS AA+ Means for Customers Achieving BRCGS AA+ accreditation means: Validated product safety and handling standards Enhanced traceability and quality control Confidence for customers in regulated and non-regulated sectors Reliable warehousing and logistics practices supported by robust systems For businesses looking for a trusted storage and distribution partner in the UK, Browns’ AA+ certification demonstrates our commitment to delivering reliable, high-quality logistics solutions. To find out more about how Browns Distribution’s BRCGS AA+-accredited services can support your supply chain, contact our team today.

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