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 Gregory goes Continental Gregory Environmental trucks are now being seen in continental Europe after Dave Chudley and his team, under Contracts Manager Bob Lovelace, secured a contract to move recycled waste paper from the UK to Gent in Belgium. Up to 30 loads a week now go by Eurotunnel or ferry to Europe with waste paper from across Southern England and Wales, each returning with a wide variety and somewhat surprising range of backloads for direct delivery including spirits, beer, pet foods, wood chip and products for Anne Summers' range of 'specialist' shops. Bob Lovelace explained: "Having acquired the Greendale fleet in December 2004, we were on a steep learning curve in a business where margins are tighter than ever. However, such is the organisation at GDL (and the depth of expertise) that when we were approached and asked to quote for this new business opportunity (which involved going overseas for the first time), we didn't have to look outside our own knowledge and skills set to obtain the information required to develop this market. We were able to adapt immediately and get on with the contract. "Our concern centred around building new relationships in Europe with businesses who had never heard of us, but that was soon dispelled and we are delighted with the return load activity we have achieved. In fact, (to date) we haven't had a single vehicle return empty." The original 'walking floor' Greendale fleet of 30 had been rationalised to 20 vehicles to reflect realistic business levels in the waste paper management sector. Under a contract with Devon County Council, paper, cans, glass and plastic waste, both baled and loose, are shipped to Wales, the M4 corridor and as far as Kent, with other waste paper products also destined for the paper mills being collected from the south coast of Kent for a number of other customers. Many of the Gregory Environmental fleet are involved with the collection of paper-reels, and inbound newsprint ends up wherever newspapers are being printed including Plymouth, Redruth, Poole and Southampton. As the new business was consolidated, Bob and his team were able to increase the fleet once again with the acquisition of five new specially commissioned Knappen trailers and three new tractor units, bringing this branch of Gregory Environmental's operation to 20 vehicles with a further six subbies pulling Gregory Environmental trailers. Having been based at Greendale Barton near Woodbury since the acquisition of the Greendale fleet, Bob Lovelace's team have now moved to more familiar territory, taking up residence in the training block at the Cullompton Depot which provided them with a more suitable business environment. Nevertheless, the flexible and adaptable nature of this developing business means that many of the vehicles remain outbased in the Midlands, Kent, Hampshire and at GDL's Old Sodbury depot. Bob explained: "Firstly, GDL recognised that environmental waste management is a fast growing sector and one that will see continued and sustained growth. "There was also a synergy with the chipboard industry at South Molton and the recycled woodchip activity that GDL currently enjoys, so there was a natural 'fit' where a lot of the knowledge and expertise could already be found. "This prudence was carried forward when the opportunity arose to work in Europe. This required a change of operator's license along with the cost and administrative headache that this entails. However, the decision was taken to make that investment from a 'blue' to a 'green' O-License for the entire GDL fleet and not just those initially involved in the Belgium contract. "This not only shows foresight but confidence in the future and it has helped to create new business too. As a result of this foray into Europe and the success to date, a new business opportunity fell to GDL's Milk business based at Cullompton by way of collections of concentrated orange juice from Holland and Belgium for the Gerber factory in Bridgwater. "Our task now is to further consolidate our existing business and create new opportunities by being seen as the best equipped, best trained and most adaptable and experienced distribution company in this highly specialist field." Pictured from left to right: Contract Manager Bob Lovelace, Tracey Payne (Administrator), Richard Tapp (Transport Planner) and Keith Maunder (Transport Operations Manager).

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