Gist opens new food distribution centre in Scotland

Gist’s new site, in Motherwell, will replace its present facility in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. The company is to start transferring fleet from its existing operation this month.

The new distribution centre is strategically located close to Scotland’s motorway system and was ideally placed to serve food manufacturers and retailers, Gist said.

Gist employs 4,000 staff and operates predominantly from the UK and Europe. Its customers include 2 Sisters Food Group, Tesco, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer, EAT and Starbucks.

Opportunity to grow business​

Gist wants to build on successful customer partnerships, and the Motherwell site gives it an opportunity to grow business in Scotland, chief executive Martin Gwynn said. “We look forward to announcing contract wins in the near future and creating new job opportunities in the area.”​

Last summer, the logistics provider opened a new primary distribution hub in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire.

Offering transport, cross-docking and consolidation and a range of added-value warehouse services, the new hub expanded Gist’s temperature-controlled primary network, and serves as a gateway into UK retailers for food producers in western Europe.

Gateway into UK retailers​

In September 2016, Gist expanded its supply chain services for Young’s Seafood, by securing new volume from its factories in Grimsby and Scotland. The company has worked with Young’s for more than 30 years.

Gist is part of The Linde Group, which employs 62,000 people across 100 countries worldwide.

Look out for our special supply chain supplement in the October issue of our sister title Food Manufacture.​​