British logistics company Wincanton has announced a new three-year contract with Wickes, which will see the logistics provider undertake home delivery of big and bulky items requiring specialist vehicles.

Wickes, part of the Travis Perkins Group, had operated an in-house solution for the home delivery of big and bulky items, which includes products such as ton bags of building materials, bricks and blocks, from its store hubs. Following the agreement with Wincanton, the logistics provider has assumed responsibility for the majority of this operation across the country with the capability to scale up or down depending on seasonal demand. Wincanton will be implementing new technology to support Wickes' multichannel strategy, commencing with the Flexipod in-cab solution to enhance customer experience and improve efficiency.

Wincanton's director of home and DIY Paul Durkin said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Wickes in their multichannel strategy. As market-leading providers of home delivery and specialist transport solutions we offer a range of services to customers across the retail sector.

“The contract represents a synergy between Wincanton’s retail and construction expertise to meet Wickes specific transport requirements. By effectively utilising our specialist fleet we will be able to provide efficient home delivery to Wickes customers whilst ensuring the Wickes customer experience remains market-leading.”

Wickes' supply chain director Duncan Kendal added: “When choosing a logistics partner, it was vital for us to work with someone who not only had the capability and capacity but also understood the importance of the great customer experience Wickes delivers. We found Wincanton to be the best fit on all counts and we look forward to a productive and successful relationship with them, supporting the continued growth of our multichannel business.”