General merchandiser WHSmith has extended its contract with supply chain firm Wincanton as it seeks to reduce operational costs and cut carbon emissions.

The three-year extension, which builds upon the existing twenty year business relationship, will feature new roll-outs such as telematics technology which allows transport schedules to be run on a “bus stop” basis, with driver and truck allocated to pre-planed routes. The firm says this will allow greater management of overall fleet performance

WHSmith Supply chain director David McKinlay, commented: “We needed fresh ideas and innovation to create a step-change in the way we were utilising transport.”

Wincanton have also added a new component into its transport management system which is said to give greater visibility to the outbound high-street deliveries and inbound “supplier collection” loads.

The contract covers Wincanton‘s work for the WHSmith distribution centres in Swindon, Dunstable and Birmingham.

Eric Born, Wincanton chief executive, said: “WHSmith is a business synonymous with astute cost management and innovation and our long, successful partnership is built upon aligning with these goals.”