Woolworths partnership to drive $24 million Toll fleet investment
Toll Global Logistics has secured a five-year contract renewal with Woolworths supply chain arm Primary Connect to deliver to more than 380 supermarkets across New South Wales.
As part of the agreement, Toll will invest more than $24 million on a new fleet of 100 prime movers and 25 rigids over the life of the contract.
Toll will manage the distribution from Primary Connect’s Minchinbury, Yennora, Erskine Park and Wyong distribution centres, where almost 400 drivers, including 260 full-time employees, will be engaged.
Though specifics of the fleet aren’t disclosed, a statement notes all vehicles will be fitted with the latest “hi-tech safety systems”, including facial recognition fatigue protection and telematics tracking solutions.
“We are delighted that we can continue our strong relationship with Woolworths, who remain a key player in the Australian grocery marketplace,” Toll Global Logistics president Peter Stokes says.
“This agreement highlights our capabilities in the grocery sector.
“We have developed a fantastic partnership with Woolworths over 20 years in these distribution centres and are pleased that we are able to extend our relationship for another five years in NSW.”
Toll is the incumbent secondary transport service provider for the Woolworths operations and wins the new agreement in a competitive tender process.
“We’re delighted to extend our partnership with Toll in the Sydney Basin for a further five years,” Primary Connect general manager for transport and international supply chain Chris Brooks says.
“The deal covers one of our largest store delivery catchments in Australia and recognises the pivotal role Toll and its drivers have played in safely re-stocking stores for our customers during the pandemic.
“With the certainty of a sustainable five-year agreement, Toll is well-placed to continue investing in industry-leading safety technology and initiatives which benefit its drivers and other road users.
“Transport safety is incredibly important to us and we’re pleased to be working with a partner who is committed to pushing industry standards forward for the better.”
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Meanwhile, Primary Connect has welcomed 180 Big W supplier and carrier partners into its network.
As part of the BIG W Simpler Supply Chain Program, all Big W supplier and carrier partners using BIG W Primary Freight were onboarded onto a single platform for all load planning using Transport Management System (TMS).
TMS is the online booking system used by Primary Connect to coordinate transport activity across suppliers, carriers and receiving distribution centres.
The Big W Primary Freight Transition project coincided with the launch of two new Big W distribution centres in Kewdale, WA and Hoppers Crossing, Victoria.
The new Big W facilities are a joint partnership between BIG W, Primary Connect and Linfox as the third party provider (3PL).
Despatch to BIG W stores from the new facilities began in April 2021.
Family-owned transport operation Wickham Freight Lines has been a long-term provider for Big W and is quoted as part of the transition.
“They listened to our concerns with the process and valued the experience we had with BIG W customers and their ways of working,” Wickham Freight Lines director Darren Eather says.
“Overall, the experience has instilled great faith in the Primary Connect team throughout our business.
“We look forward to working closer with the Primary Connect team in the future and adding more value to the customer experience.”