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Head to Head
Maximising efficiency
The logistics business is vital in enabling companies to deliver products efficiently
from manufacturing to the high street. Yvonne Holberton talks to Joanne
Bentley, managing director of major logistics company SPH-Europe, to find out
how it helps businesses maximise operating potential
How long has SPH-Europe been trading? way of ensuring that stock is received, controlled,
My father, Pat Jackson, established the business checked, packaged, labelled and delivered to the
in 1981. Over the years we have branched out to business or customer direct, with no wasted
the position we now hold, operating from a warehouse space and the extra costs involved
200,000 square-foot, fully automated warehouse with this.
in Bolton. I have worked here for 19 years,
working my way up from an office junior on a What sports-related projects have been
YTS scheme to managing director. When my particularly successful in the past?
father retired seven years ago, the management Throughout our history we have worked for
passed to myself, my brother and another almost all sports and outdoor brands, however,
director who has worked here for 17 years, and confidentiality is the one thing that has been key
we have worked hard to build on the success my to our success so I can’t discuss individual
late father achieved. projects.
What can SPH offer companies in the sports
trade?
Historically, we began life offering a repair service
to the sports industry. Over the years we have
“
There is a growing
demand, because
expanded and now offer a comprehensive third-
companies are always
In her father’s footsteps: Joanne Bentley, MD of SPH-
Europe, is carrying on where her father left off
party distribution service, encompassing
warehousing, pre-retailing, product rectification,
looking to save costs.
are always looking to save costs. By taking away
quality control, modification and e-commerce
By taking away the
the burden of warehousing, we can help
expertise, all from one site in Bolton. We aim to
burden of warehousing,
companies make the changes they need to in
work as an extension of a business, to ensure that order to run more efficiently. We have also found
companies can operate as efficiently as possible,
we can help companies
that we are attracting more clients as other
to get products from manufacturing to the high logistics companies only offer certain components
street in the most cost-effective way.
make the changes they
of the service and expertise, whereas we offer a
We don’t enter into long-term contracts.
need to in order to run
complete package. As a company, our heart will
Instead we offer warehousing and all our services always be with the sports trade, but over the last
on a flexible basis; a week, a month or a year,
more efficiently
”
eight years SPH has also diversified into new
allowing companies to pay for what they need at areas, including electrical and DIY products.
a specific time. We take responsibility for what
needs to be done, when it needs doing, always How has the logistics trade and SPH in Is keeping up with changes in industry
aiming to offer companies the most cost-effective particular fared in the recession? technologies one of the greatest challenges
The recession has been interesting for the for SPH?
logistics trade as companies are forced to re-think Ensuring that our technology systems are always
how they operate and look increasingly to the most advanced possible is extremely
outsource costs. We have found that more important for communication links, with first class
companies are requesting third-party distribution, intranet systems, internet, email and EDI links. My
but the volume has been lower, and so we have brother is an IT expert and software engineer,
made the right changes to trade through this which allows us to set up a configuration of
efficiently. We offer the same range of services, systems between companies, without the clients
but we are not stock piling like we used to. having to pay for an expensive interface service
Companies are buying in time for a season rather with a satellite warehouse. We can offer the
than buying in bulk for the whole year. service without the big price tags. We can also
help set up and run online sales operations at
Have you seen evidence of a growing limited costs, taking on the distribution. The trend
demand for a logistics service such as yours? in internet sales is huge.
S
All in order: The gigantic SPH warehouse in Bolton There is a growing demand, because companies www.sph-eu.com
20 SGB SPORT MARCH 2010
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