NFT’s position as the provider of retailer led solutions as well as its direct relationships with manufacturers allows us to exploit the synergies from these unique relationships.
NFT prides itself on working with its clients to deliver tailored and cost effective solutions to their supply chain problems. We realise that there are many challenges in today’s primary chilled market place and we believe that the blend of experienced, customer focused staff and leading edge transport systems helps to support our customer focused ethos. NFT’s reputation of assisting both UK based and European fledgling businesses is well earned and a number of major brands in the UK marketplace began and continue their journey with NFT. Sainsbury’s Supermarkets – PrimaryThe National Perishable Primary Network (NPPN) contract awarded to NFT in 2002 has grown in both size and stature and the professional well run operation provides a great deal of flexibility and together with continuing innovative approaches, continues to deliver both cost effectiveness for Sainsbury’s and it’s suppliers as well as delivering high levels of service. It is important to maintain the focus on cost and service in parallel with introducing continuous improvements in other important areas such as paperwork flow, scanning and providing an enhanced service centre. At the same time, it is equally important for our customer that dynamic strategic initiatives continue to be developed and introduced to broaden and enhance the operation.
In all commercial relationships, a joint approach is very important and the partnership between NFT and Sainsbury’s is no exception – this was recently exemplified by a joint initiative cumulating in a new earlier delivery profile being successful introduced. Further joint ventures currently being undertaken include increased levels of integration of both the primary and secondary fleets to derive substantial synergy savings. Communication and the supply of credible information are key ingredients in any partnership and NFT prides itself in its proactive approach and processes used in these areas to help the customer understand its business and highlight where and when improvements can be made. Sainsbury’s Supermarkets – SecondaryNFT has also managed a contract for Sainsbury’s for many years in a Regional Distribution Centre in London Colney near St Albans. Our initial contract, supporting the JS supply chain to pick and deliver Chill and Ambient cases direct to store, has grown over the years. Recently, activities including the start up of the JS General Merchandise volume in 2002, and the ontake of their Beers, Wines and Spirits volume in 2003 have also been undertaken. The announcement last year of a new three-year contract with Sainsbury’s has seen the addition of Produce lines through the depot, and the composite site now delivers nearly 1 million cases per week to 35 stores in the Home Counties, the JS heartland. From our original peripheral position as a third party contractor, our relationship with Sainsbury’s has developed such that following the three year contract our role is more central to and a more integral part of the JS supply chain. We are now well placed at St Albans to develop our relationship further in line with the anticipated volume uplift resulting from Sainsbury’s sales driven recovery programme.
Asda NFT built on its relationship with Asda over many years by establishing a dedicated Asda Primary Network in October 2004 to support its rapidly expanding chill foods operations. Two dedicated depots at Manchester and Crick receive from suppliers 24,000 pallets a week for just-in-time delivery into 8 Asda Distribution Centres in mainland UK, and from 2005, into a new Asda DC in Larne to service Asda’s expansion into Ireland. Success has been built on working closely with Asda to understand their requirements and responding positively and quickly to opportunities as they arise, whilst maintaining a relentless focus on providing industry-leading standards of service at the lowest cost. At the same time, creating a seamless partnership involves liaising closely with suppliers to manage the smooth flow of goods through the Asda supply chain onto the supermarket shelves.