Macintyre Scott Xtra (MSX) is set to deliver into supermarket giant Tesco after signing its first ever domestic distribution contract.
The company, which has historically specialised in warehousing, distribution and logistics for the travel retail industry, has secured a two-year contract with Stock International.
The deal marks a new era for 39-year-old MSX and heralds its plans to infiltrate the UK domestic distribution market.
Stock International is part of Stock Spirits Group, central Europe’s leading branded spirits business. Its products are sold in more than forty different countries across the world and its brand portfolio includes a number of market leaders in their home markets in Poland, Czech Republic and Italy.
Under the two-year contract MSX will store Stock International’s products under bond at its 116,000ft warehouse.
MSX will then apply UK Duty Stamps to the products for domestic use and pick, pack and deliver all over the UK. In addition to these services, MSX will also operate a product re-work capability that will ensure that product will be delivered to customers in line with its, and Stock International’s, precise requirements.
MSX’s fleet of vehicles will transport goods to retailers, including supermarket giant Tesco, as well as a range of national and regional wholesale and cash and carry customers, as far north as Irvine in Scotland.
Among the Stock International products it will deliver are Czysta de Luxe, the best selling clear vodka on the Polish market, Limoncé, the market leading limoncello in Italy, and Stock XO, the company’s premium brandy offering. Because MSX has been appointed as Stock International’s exclusive domestic distribution partner, it means that any bottle of Limoncé or Stock XO purchased in a Tesco store will have come through MSX’s warehouse.
Nicola Ridges-Jones, managing director of MSX, said: “Innovation is such an important part of our business and it’s what led us to diversify. Over the last 39 years we have built a sterling reputation within the travel retail industry, thanks to the simple fact that we deliver on our promises and provide excellent service. Now is the time for us to build on that success and diversify. We have the space, we have the structure and, importantly, the resource to branch out without impacting the excellent service we’ll continue to provide for the travel retail market.
Commenting on MSX’s ambitions for positioning itself within the domestic distribution market, she added: “We are well aware of our strengths and where that could help us sit within the market. We are independent, fast and flexible so while we’re not looking to conquer the world overnight, we’re aiming to make a name for ourselves as a real alternative to the existing market leaders.”
Steve Smith, MD of Stock International, added: “Our business had been looking for a new logistics provider, which understood the requirements of the spirits industry, and could provide a dedicated service that would satisfy the requirements of our UK customer base. Nicola and her team at MSX brought experience of the industry, and a passion for customer service that was a great match for the needs of our growing UK operations.”
Photo: Steve Smith of Stock International with MSX managing director Nicola Ridges-Jones
