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An Isle of Wight transport group has reached a strategic partnership with a mainland company, which could lead to a 10% increase in business.
Island-based Steve Porter Transport Group is entering into a deal with Meachers Global Logistics.
It will mean that the businesses will co-operate on the delivery of inbound and outbound freight from the Isle of Wight via Southampton.
According to a statement, to kick-off the partnership, Southampton based Meachers Global Logistics, one of the UK's leading independent providers of freight and logistics services, will begin trunking Steve Porter Transport’s overnight groupage loads from the Isle of Wight to Midlands distribution centres located in Northampton and Coventry for onward national distribution.
The two businesses will predominantly move freight across the Solent from Southampton to East Cowes using Red Funnel Ferries. Steve Porter Transport Group has a strong commercial partnership with Red Funnel having acquired its distribution division in 2011. It is the ferry operators preferred freight partner, operating a bespoke cross-Solent drop-trailer operation.
The move has already resulted in Meachers Global Logistics recruiting new drivers to service the first wave of trunking, whilst Steve Porter Transport Group has placed orders for a new trailer fleet, which will be delivered by the spring of 2013.
Commenting on the alliance, Steve Porter, Chairman of Steve Porter Transport Group said: "The partnership with Meachers Global Logistics is an exciting prospect. As a strong regional player we look forward to enhancing our services by capitalising on their unrivaled national distribution strength and capability. It’s good news for our Company, our customers and the Isle of Wight as we expect any increase in activity to be reflected in new employment opportunities across the business, but particularly on the Island."
Stuart Terris, Managing Director of Meachers Global Logistics added: "We are delighted to be partnering with the Isle of Wight’s largest independent freight carrier. The alliance is expected to provide significant opportunities for both businesses and we will be looking to promote the commercial advantages to supermarkets, retailers and organisations currently moving significant volumes of cross- Solent freight."
James Fulford, Red Funnel’s CEO added: "The alliance between Steve Porter Transport Group and Meachers Global Logistics is good news. Red Funnel is pleased to offer its support to both organisations. The partnership will improve the breadth of services available to a wide range of freight customers serving the Isle of Wight via Southampton both regionally and nationally. We look forward to strengthening further our relationship with both operators."
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