Nuneaton-based parts supplier Quinton Hazel has announced a long term warehousing and distribution agreement with Cat Logistics.

The move follows briefings held last year at Quinton Hazel aimed at addressing competitive pressures in the UK and ways to grow sales and improve its customer offering.

Tony Locke, group managing director at Quinton Hazel, says: “This new partnership will streamline and improve our logistics operations further reinforcing our opposition at the forefront of the industry.”

All warehouse and delivery services (UK and export) will be covered by the arrangement. From the beginning of 2007 operations will be transferred to a new facility at Logix Park on the outskirts of Nuneaton. Branded Quinton Hazel, the operation will be operated by Cat Logistics.

A spokesman says all the employment needs will be met by existing employees of both Quinton Hazel and Cat Logistics, but that it is still too early to say definitively.

Quinton Hazel says the arrangement will enable it to focus its resources on meeting customer needs and in the key areas of purchasing, marketing and sales.

Cat Logistics will provide IT back-up, material planning, inbound packaging, warehousing and transportation to UK customers. Part of Quinton Hazel’s briefings in 2005 looked at ways to replace its 20-year-old IT system and even older warehouse racking.

“To undertake a project of such magnitude is both high cost and risk and we realized that it was the right time to seek a partner with a proven logistics track record,” says Ray Hunt of Quinton Hazel.