homeservicesabout usnewsjob opportunitiescontact New Unit for Learn ‘N’ Train Business Wins for GDL Dairy Crest Contract Creates 40 Jobs South West Water Contract Renewed Booker Gregory goes Continental Big Rise for Driver John Greener Gregory News Archive Milk Link Awards Major Milk Haulage Contract to Gregory Distribution Milk Link has awarded a major long-term milk haulage contract to Gregory Distribution. The new contract will provide Milk Link with a tailored, cost effective service based upon fixed rates for both ex-farm and re-load deliveries. Following 12 years of successful collaboration between Gregory Distribution, Milk Link and its predecessors, the new five year contract secures for GDL all Milk Link operations south of the M4 from Cornwall to Hampshire including the collection of the majority of the milk produced by Milk Link's farmer members (circa 1.4 billion litres of milk)and its onwards transportation to the co-operative's own processing facilities and third party customers. It also increases GDL's dairy related depots to seven including four in Devon and Cornwall, with new operations in Somerset, Dorset and Hampshire requiring 70 specialist vehicles collecting nearly 4 million litres of milk per day from 2,500 farms. This is supported by 50 transhipment vehicles and a committed staff of 350. In total, the fleet will travel some 22 million kilometres a year or 60,000 kilometres every day. Central to the new contract are increased productivity levels, resulting from major investment and innovation by GDL, who have had a new generation of milk tankers designed and manufactured to our own exacting specification. The new fleet of 8-wheeled 32 tonne rigid vehicles have improved manoeuvrability affording easier access to all Milk Link members' farms as well as increased capacity, helping to drive costs down. The ground-breaking design was formulated at GDL's Cullompton Depot and incorporates unique safety measures including rear cameras, lifting and steering rear axles and low level tanker access preventing the possibility of drivers falling from height. The vehicles are also fitted with high speed pumping equipment, which will allow the milk to be collected and offloaded at 50,000 litres per hour, in the region of two times faster than the existing equipment. The first 20 of the new vehicles represent an initial investment of over £2 million and are currently being introduced into daily operation. In addition, GDL have also purchased Milk Link's existing tanker fleet. John Gregory commented: "At a time when the dairy industry has been facing serious commercial pressures, this new and extended contract reflects the degree of innovation, flexibility and competitive edge Gregory Distribution has brought to the sector over the last 12 years. "Our successful and creative partnership with Milk Link and the ability to deliver truly cost-effective solutions continues because of a combination of factors. Firstly, we have shown a willingness to recognise the economic realties facing the dairy industry. More of the same was just not good enough and it was time to make business decisions that combine innovation with pragmatism. "Secondly, we have been highly proactive showing a willingness to make a multi-million pound investment in new vehicles, equipment and in leading edge technology, this is genuinely aimed at supporting the farming community by introducing a low cost base model operation. "And lastly, we have benefited from a long tradition of outstanding service delivered at the sharp end by a highly committed, experienced and professional workforce."

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