The reliability and service that matters

We’ve worked with Arla since 2012. Every day we go to farms, collect milk, and then transfer that milk to the dairies. Any blip in this process can have huge consequences for the farmers and create delays to the production process. Reliability is therefore absolutely vital. Richard Wilson, Inbound Logistics Director for Arla tells us more:

The fact we have worked together for so many years gives you a good indication of our trust in Gregory Group. Service levels have always been very good.

We are owned by farmers and they will tell us if they don’t think the service is good. When we go to farmer-owned meetings I am happy when transport isn’t discussed as a topic. That means we are doing our job well.

Mark Wales, Inbound Contract Manager for Arla expands further:

Being a cooperative means quality of service to the farms is massively important. An efficient and optimised collection profile is key, cost control is essential, and safety has to be a given. Our farmers see what we do, how we do it, and ultimately we have to make the right decisions for our farmers and our business, so reputation is very important.

Not just another haulier

At Gregory Group we pride ourselves on delivering visionary logistics for our customers. For us, that means delivering core logistics at an exceptional standard are a given. The added value is our drive to keep delivering more – looking forward and making suggestions for continual improvement.

A perfect example of this is our development of solutions to reduce carbon emissions. When you combine transportation and farming there is an opportunity to make a significant carbon reduction but it requires commitment and dedication. As forward-thinking and innovative businesses, Arla and Gregory Group don’t shy away from this challenge, instead we work collaboratively to develop solutions that will achieve a more sustainable future.

Growing together

As is the nature of any proactive company; demands change and visions evolve, and Arla is no exception. The ability to grow and develop alongside Arla is an essential element of the partnership, as Rachel Akroyd, Procurement Category Manager at Arla explains:

You are always moving forward and developing. From sustainability to technology, or even just when we introduce a new process – you are open to doing things differently.

Richard also shares his view:

You don’t wait to be asked. You are forward thinking, understanding what your customers want, and need, and providing solutions to achieve that. You are always looking to the future.

We asked Richard, Rachel, and Mark to summarise what they feel are the key factors to a partnership that has been going strong for more than 20 years.

Richard said:

Relationships. We are able to have open and frank conversations, and you give us a good quality service. You’re pleasant people to work with as well which definitely helps! I wouldn’t have any hesitation in recommending Gregory Group.

Rachel's comments were:

To be a true partner, our businesses need to be culturally aligned and yours are very similar to ours. Your proactivity and good communication make you a really good supplier to work with.

And finally, Mark concludes:

You need trust and integrity. But by being honest and having clear communication channels, you can overcome that and become a real partnership. This is something you achieve very well. You also have the right people – they always represent a really good image for our business.

You are able to do things on scale, you have quality equipment and systems and have the right outlook.