Kinaxia Logistics has announced a three-year extension of its nationwide distribution contract with SPL Foods, a family-owned supplier of ambient food products. This contract is managed through Kinaxia’s Bay Freight depot located in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester, which was the company’s first acquisition back in 2012.
SPL Foods, headquartered in Chadderton, Oldham, provides a diverse range of products, including pasta, rice, grains, herbs, spices, beans, pulses, sauces, and condiments. The firm caters to a broad clientele, including food retailers, cash and carry depots, national food wholesalers, manufacturers, and end-users such as industrial kitchen operations in schools and prisons. The business, boasting a turnover exceeding £30 million and employing 60 staff, imports dried goods from around the globe and operates from a seven-acre site.
Kinaxia undertakes multiple daily collections of palletised goods using trailers emblazoned with SPL Foods branding. The logistics firm transports full loads and utilises its internal K-Link trunking network to ensure deliveries across England, Wales, and Scotland.
Dave Cork, general manager at Bay Freight, expressed satisfaction with the extended partnership, stating: “Our national infrastructure and depot network, combined with our local market expertise and dedication to service excellence, have been critical factors in developing our successful relationship with SPL Foods over the years.”
Cork highlighted the tailored service Bay Freight provides to meet SPL Foods’ specific requirements efficiently and seamlessly. He added, “We understand the SPL Foods business well and are excited to continue this partnership in the years ahead.”
SPL Foods’ Managing Director Robert Simon, who represents the third generation of his family to lead the company, noted the firm’s impressive growth, reporting double-digit increases in annual volumes and the supply of over 35,000 pallets of goods in 2023. He underscored the importance of maintaining long-term relationships with suppliers and contractors, emphasising that a strong supply chain is essential for providing high-quality service to customers.
Simon said: “Without a strong and reliable supply chain, you cannot offer a good service to your customers. It’s important for us to have continuity and consistency. Bay Freight provides a first-class service, and we are delighted to continue working with the team there and across the Kinaxia network to support our expansion.”
Kinaxia’s Chief Operating Officer Simon Nelson remarked that the contract extension reflects the company’s long-term commitment to enhancing its services for customers. He stated: “Our One Kinaxia strategy means we are able to offer a seamless national solution unified by technology, market-leading infrastructure, and regional expertise to deliver a high-quality service.”
Headquartered in Macclesfield, Cheshire, Kinaxia Logistics employs around 1,600 staff and operates a fleet of 800 vehicles. The firm transports goods for various sectors, including retail, leisure, food and drink, and manufacturing. With 2.7 million sq ft of strategic national warehousing, Kinaxia offers comprehensive logistics services, including contract packing, e-fulfilment, returns management, and storage solutions.
