Warehouse & Logistics News recently spoke to Howard Tenens on their involvement at Multimodal 2014.
WLN – When was the company established and by whom?
Howard Tenens is a privately owned, logistics company providing UK coverage that has been trading for over 60 years.
First established in 1953 the company moved to Swindon in 1958. It became a plc in 1966 and was taken over in 1982 by Espley-Tyas, to become part of their European wide group of companies. At this stage in Howard Tenens’ development it was not only a logistics provider but was also involved in the manufacture and sub-assembly for the automotive industry.
Peter Morris, the current CEO and Chairman, headed a management buyout in 1983. Since then the company has gone from strength to strength including the appointment of 2 of Peter’s sons Ben and Dan Morris as joint Managing Director’s.
WLN – Where are you based, is this your only location?
The headquarters are based in Thrupp, near Stroud in Gloucestershire. Howard Tenens operate all over the UK from 15 different depots nationally, with a warehouse footprint of over 3,000,000 ft2 the majority of which is owned freehold. Howard Tenens employs approximately 500 people nationally and has a turnover of circa £58 million.
WLN – What is the main role of the company? What do you do, what services do you provide?
Howard Tenens is one of the largest family-owned logistics companies in the UK, providing a leading warehousing, distribution and logistics service.
They provide flexible, scalable and reliable supply chain solutions that drive efficiencies into their customers’ businesses by managing their logistics requirement in partnership with their clients. This factor, coupled with an extensive freehold commercial property portfolio of over 3,000,000 ft2, gives the business an almost unique offering the in the logistics market place.
Howard Tenens take their impact on the environment seriously. Renewable energy, energy efficient equipment, new vehicle technology, alternative fuels and investment in gas refuelling infrastructure have all been implemented.
Howard Tenens pride themselves on being innovative and proactive, providing cost effective, resourceful and sustainable logistics solutions, supported by robust IT platforms. They believe in reliable, high quality, value for money supply chain solutions.
WLN – What specialist industry sector would you place yourself in?
Supply chain management and logistics.
WLN – What benefits do your products bring to clients that your competitors do not?
As Howard Tenens are often the landlord to the facilities as well as the logistics service provider it enables them to offer customers the warehousing flexibility they require that often comes with seasonal fluctuations in stock holding.
Furthermore, Howard Tenens’ environmental initiatives are helping customers reach their carbon saving goals which are core objectives for the customers Howard Tenens work with, many of which are blue chip and household name businesses.
Howard Tenens is one of the earliest pioneers of dual fuel vehicles in the logistics sector, with trials carried out in 2009 after Tenens Environmental was set up in 2008 to focus on initiatives that improve efficiency and therefore reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Significant investment is being made in technologies that utilise alternative sources of energy which deliver environmental and economic benefits. Today there are 60 dual fuel vehicles in the Howard Tenens fleet operating across four depots. 88% of Howard Tenens’ heavy goods vehicles over 18 tonnes run on dual fuel making us the highest proportion of dual fuel vehicles of any large UK fleet. Gas refuelling stations have also been installed at Andover, Aveley, Boston and Swindon which not only serve the company’s fleet but are also open to third parties.
Committed to developing and improving the technology, Howard Tenens is involved in three projects funded by the Department for Transport and Technology Strategy Board which will monitor the operational and environmental performance of dual-fuel technology. A high proportion of the vehicles purchased are involved in the trials, and other low-carbon initiatives such as low weight and aerodynamic trailers to be evaluated.
WLN – Who are your main clients/customers?
Howard Tenens work with a range of blue chip companies such as Costa Express and Honda with experience and expertise in many different sectors including automotive and the food/drinks sector.
WLN – What is the company ethic/ motto/tagline?
“Experts in sustainable logistics.”
WLN – Does the company have any plans for the future?
Howard Tenens are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities in the market place as and when they arise. This may mean opening additional sites of developing current depots to cater for increased customer requirements.
Our financial strength and property portfolio, backed by our depth and breadth of logistics experience and customer base, means we well positioned to grow and develop the business in a sustainable way.
WLN – Do you attend trade shows, which ones? How have recent ones gone?
Howard Tenens is returning as exhibitors to Multimodal for the seventh consecutive year this April. Multimodal is the UK and Ireland’s leading freight transport and logistics exhibition and Howard Tenens have been dedicated supporters of the exhibition since it started in 2008. The show has provided an excellent source of leads for Howard Tenens new business pipeline, in particular over the last 2 years as the show has continued to grow in size and attendance. Both 2012 and 2013s’ shows proved to be a tremendous success for Howard Tenens where they were introduced, and later started new business relationships with, Costa Express and BSW Timber amongst other new customers.
WLN – Anything else you wish to add?
Howard Tenens is one of the largest family-owned logistics companies in the UK and prides itself on excellent service, professionalism, flexibility and value for money – and is also leading the logistics industry in environmental innovation, specifically low carbon transport.
Howard Tenens
Tel: 08702 415640
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