Nissan Renault Alliance renews contract with TNT Logistics UK
Nissan, on behalf of the Nissan Renault Alliance, has renewed its UK distribution contract, worth in excess of €30 million (£21m), for a further three years with TNT Logistics. The companies have worked in close partnership for 14 years.
The operation involves delivering vehicle parts from a single national parts distribution centre at Lutterworth, Leicestershire, delivering through the night to over 400 Nissan and Renault dealerships, five nights a week. “TNT Logistics continually challenges the way we work to improve the service to our customers,” says Howard Wilkinson, Head of Nissan Renault Alliance After-Sales Logistics Operations in the UK.
Neil Crossthwaite, Managing Director, TNT Logistics, says: “We are delighted that after a very thorough competitive tender process Nissan has taken the decision to renew the contract with TNT Logistics. Over the last 14 years we have worked closely together managing a number of strategic changes, including the integration of Nissan and Renault parts distribution. We are now looking forward to continuing this relationship, maintaining service excellence and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.”
IT enhancement was a key factor in the renewal of the contract. New initiatives include the introduction of:
Dealer Delivery/Returnable Asset Tracking – monitoring assets (roll cages and tote boxes) through the entire dealer distribution network, providing proof of delivery information and providing dealers with a web based enquiry system.
Dealer Warranty and Returns Tracking – a web based dealer warranty and returns tracking system.
The new systems work in parallel with TNT’s transport management system.
As well as investment in IT systems, TNT Logistics has invested in a new vehicle fleet consisting of a combination of rigid and articulated vehicles. Double-deck trailers will be used to deliver to a number of strategic outbases. All deliveries are made before 8.00 am with a before-noon service, operated for dealerships in Northern Ireland and the offshore islands.
TNT Logistics began delivering for Nissan in 1992, taking weekly stock deliveries into dealerships. In 2001, the delivery operation went through a step change, with orders being placed on day one for a day two pre 8.00 am delivery. Emergency deliveries can be placed before 6.00 pm for a pre 8.00 am next-day service.
