“Sustainability” is now much more than a buzz word; it’s a crucial focus for leading organisations across the UK and indeed across the world. There is a building momentum globally to reset business models to truly value the health of the planet that we are all lucky to enjoy.
Culina Group is at the forefront of this reset.
One of the latest initiatives now underway across the Culina Group to help boost sustainability is a major systemised fleet refurbishment programme. The objective is to optimise utilisation of all existing fleet to its maximum potential.
Overall the Culina Group fleet is in excess of 5,000 units and 8,000 trailers. What’s more it’s a fleet that is growing year on year in line with business growth. New Mercedes, DAF, and Scania fleet is introduced regularly across the group to a rolling schedule to maintain performance quality.
The new refurbishment programme is operating in synchronisation with this fleet renewal schedule. This is ensuring that Culina Group is operating a high quality fleet nationwide whilst at the same time all fleet is exploited to its full potential.
The first phase of the refurbishment programme is now well underway. Over the past six weeks more than a hundred and thirty trucks from across the Group were sent to Culina House, the Group HQ at Warrington Cheshire, for a thorough refurbishment.
It’s been the start of a rigorous process that for each vehicle involves a series of stages so that it reaches a condition that could be considered almost new. The actual timescale for full refurbishment of each truck varies depending on the state it arrives in.
Firstly in the vehicle wash bay each vehicle is given a full chassis deep clean, a major steam clean operation that takes over an hour. Then all existing fleet livery is removed and the full cab is steam cleaned. This is an operation that in total takes around four hours. Next is a full internal valet which takes around three hours.
A through maintenance check follows and all necessary repairs are made. At the same time internal operating systems such as dash cams, trackers and telematics are replaced and revised.
Finally each unit is then liveried with the new Group branding a process that takes around half a day. Then prior to being released to the business full checks are made to ensure each vehicle is compliant to all regulations.
The refurbishment programme will run through to 2025 when the whole fleet will have been reviewed.
As an organisation that is fully committed to sustainability and positive environmental management, Culina Group follows a policy of continuous improvement in both operations and working practices. This is followed both across the group on a Macro level and at each location on a Micro level.
Pushing the glass ceiling, blue sky thinking, Helicopter perspectives, Ideation, Innovation, Initiative, TechHub is here!
Creating and defining cutting edge Logistics innovations to establish Culina Group as the UK’s most technologically advanced 3PL.
This summer Culina Group is introducing what it believes is a radically new concept in UK 3PL – TechHub.
Techub – is to be a completely new department within the Culina Group organisation and will be based at Culina House the Groups head office in Warrington in the North West of England. The role of TechHub is to be unique within Culina Group and almost certainly within UK Logistics.
In the words of the great orators of the business community – TechHub will be focused on “pushing the glass ceiling” of possibilities, “blue sky thinking” without rules to brainstorm breakthrough alternatives to doing things the way they have always been done, and taking “helicopter perspectives” of operations, systemisation, and approaches to business to identify opportunities for improvements and transformations.
TechHub will focus on technical development and evolution of cutting edge new ideas, innovations, and initiatives.
The new department will help Culina Group to grow, expand, and further build its reputation as a progressive market leader in UK Logistics and a company that seeks to continually optimise its service partnerships with clients.
Culina Group has established a powerful reputation as a high quality operator that will always focus on doing the best they can for every client on every contract chilled or ambient, large or small, complex or routine, intricate or simple. TechHub will help take this focus a stage further and will be a centre of excellence for ideation, innovation and initiation:
Ideation – developing ideas and concepts, the sequence of thoughts, from original concept to implementation
Innovation – defining a change or update that dramatically improves efficiency, productivity, or outcome, not just a change but a “game changer”
Initiative – making the first steps to taking a new concept from vision into reality
TechHub will be a dedicated centre of innovation where Culina Group will trial tools, processes and technologies to support and enable growth to become the UK’s most technologically advanced 3PL.
A “Matrix” Team is being established across the Culina Group business within which it will be everyone’s remit and responsibility to, innovate, and exploit new ideas, and to define exciting new concepts for the further evolution of Culina Group.
TechHub teams will meet with Culina Group business units to discuss ideas and how they can assist. There will be an on-going programme of incentives and rewards to maintain engagement and involvement.
The department will provide a dynamic and highly visible contribution to the evolution of Culina group. Development processes will be efficient and rapid. Trialing and implementation of agreed ideas will take place over a four to six week period to fully assess and prove/disprove any hypothesis.
The team will present rolling exhibits every few months to illustrate the contributions being made to the evolution of Culina Group and its businesses.
TechHub will be both physical and virtual, to bring creative and innovative people from across the business together. It will be a convenor and catalyst, providing space and support for innovation, business development and engagement within the technology space.
When a child acquires a brain injury it can have a devastating impact on all the family. Every year thousands of families are left without any support and often feel alone and with nowhere to turn to.
The Child Brain Injury Trust, www.childbraininjurytrust.org.uk, offers support to families and professionals working with children and young people who find themselves in need of information about what’s happened and how to cope. They are there to listen and help with practical and emotional issues which may arise over time.
This Charity is particularly important to Fowler Welch as their support has been invaluable over the past year to Fowler Welch Washington colleague, Chris Harte. Chris’ young son, Nathan, was involved in a serious RTA involving a bus on 16th April 2021 and suffered severe injuries to his face and head. Although the outward injuries have healed, the impact of the brain injury that occurred has been life changing for Chris and his family.
Over the next year across the UK, Fowler Welch will be raising awareness and fundraising for this incredible charity, with a wide range of events and initiatives supported by local Fowler Welch Charity Champions.
The first “event” was an Easter Raffle across all the Fowler Welch depots!
Individually, two Fowler Welch colleagues are also undertaking serious sponsored challenges to raise important funds for this valuable cause. Oliver Warren will be running a Marathon, and Alan Ringrose, Stuart Gray and Neil King will be riding the C2C2C cycle challenge.
A wide range of other initiatives are currently evolving including a link up with Amazon offshoot – Amazon Smile, the setup of Sweet donation stations across Fowler Welch sites, a Fowler Welch Grant scheme to support CBIT special days, and high profile signage around Fowler Welch locations.
North Derbyshire charity, Fairplay, is the chosen charity of Great Bear Markham Vale 2.
Over recent months our Great Bear colleagues at this site have been holding charity bingo sessions to raise important funds for this established and valuable local charity.
In March Great Bear colleagues, Matt Dams and Olivia Smedley visited Fairplay at Chesterfield where they were able to meet many people who benefit from their important services and had a first-hand opportunity to see the great work the charity does for North Derbyshire.
During the visit Matt and Olivia presented a cheque on behalf of their Great Bear Markham Vale 2 colleagues for £6,430.20 which Fairplay will be using to help their Educational schemes for young children.
Fairplay was set up in 1992 by a group of parents who wanted accessible activities for their disabled children. The group set up a club where their children could attend during school holidays. The demand for the group was overwhelming and the group developed into an organisation with paid staff. The organisation has grown ever since, developing youth services as well as children’s and expanding into areas throughout North Derbyshire.
In 2009 Fairplay was successful in receiving funding to build its first centre in Chesterfield. The centre has been purpose built to ensure that all children and young people are able to access the facilities on offer. The centre was officially opened in July 2010 and features an activity hall, outdoor play area, meeting rooms, library, sensory room, kitchen, and changing places toilet.
Fairplay now offers services to young people up to aged 25 as well as a new pre-school parent support group for parents with children under 5. Fairplay continues to grow and develop in response to the needs of local families and currently supports over 400 families across the area.
Stobart has marked another milestone in its sustainability journey with an official commitment to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), a global project that aims to provide business leaders with the accountability framework they need to reduce their carbon footprint.
SBTi is a collaboration between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The initiative defines, promotes and showcases best practice on setting science-based targets to reduce emissions, and independently assesses and approves targets set by committed companies.
Stobart is the first Major UK Logistics provider in the UK to make the SBTi commitment. As a leading logistics provider, they have made this momentous pledge to set this milestone as part of their sustainability journey.
Stobart have created an initial roadmap for how they will achieve the SBTis and these plans will be approved by SBTi within the next year. They will continue to progress their initiatives and work towards the commitment to achieve the common goal of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This could mean 11 million fewer people exposed to extreme heat, 61 million fewer people exposed to drought, and 10 million fewer people exposed to the impacts of sea level rise.
“This commitment forms part of the Stobart aim to be the most sustainable UK LSP”, said Stobart CEO, David Pickering, “we’re driving cultural change in our ways of working and are thoroughly committed to driving continuous improvement through sustainable initiatives that positively impact the environment.”
Culina Group is celebrating after landing an internationally-recognised award for demonstrating high health and safety standards during the period of January 01, 2021, to December 31, 2021.
The RoSPA Awards scheme is the longest-running of its kind in the UK, and receives entries from organisations across the globe, making it one of the most sought-after achievement awards for health and safety worldwide. Competitive awards go to the best entries in 31 industry sectors including construction, healthcare, transport and logistics, engineering, manufacturing and education.
Culina Group has received a RoSPA Silver Health and Safety Award for working hard to ensure its staff get home safely to their families at the end of every working day.
Tom Lack, Head of Health and Safety, said: “Attaining the ROSPA Silver Award on the first application is a testament to the hard work of the SHEQ Department and the dedication of our operational colleagues. A nationally recognised award like this, along with our ISO Accreditations, is testament to Culina Group’s dedication to protecting its workforce.”
Organisations receiving a RoSPA Award are recognised as being world-leaders in health and safety practice. Every year, nearly 2,000 entrants vie to achieve the highest possible accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards.
Julia Small, RoSPA’s Achievements Director, said: “This is a fantastic and well-deserved accomplishment. All our award entrants demonstrate their unwavering commitment and passion for keeping people safe at work. By receiving this recognition Culina Group join like-minded businesses and organisations worldwide, who represent the very best in their approach to Health and Safety. I would like to add my personal thanks for all the work that it has taken to secure this well-deserved award – congratulations to all those involved, who champion and drive up Health and Safety standards every day. You are a fantastic example to others in your sector.”
Stobart has recently won the “Co-op Environmental & Sustainability Warriors Award – 2021” awarded to “the Co-op supplier who has inspired change and delivered a project that has positively impacted the planet and promoted best practice”.
Throughout 2021 Stobart has actively partnered with Co-op to agree a measured ongoing Sustainability Road Map including a pipeline of key initiatives to be rolled out incrementally. The overall aim is for joint Stobart/Co-op operations to become more and more sustainable, through forensic governance and improved carbon efficiency management.
Three specific initiatives were implemented in 2021; a Carbon reporting process for inbound RDC deliveries enabling measurement of the environmental impact, introduction of Wedge Double Deck Trailers to carry more freight whilst at the same time reducing carbon emissions and, a review of one way backhaul trunking activity, utilising the extensive Stobart network to improve efficiency of the Co-op fleet.
A further pipeline of defined initiatives is currently in progress including a long-term project to review any further opportunities to transfer freight shipment from Road to Rail, along with an alternative fuel trial and a move to real time carbon emissions reporting.
“These important initiatives form part of the Stobart aim to be the most sustainable UK LSP”, said Stobart CEO, David Pickering.
“Through our collaboration with Co-op, we are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to delivering sustainable initiatives that positively impact the environment. The ongoing roadmap that we have developed, in collaboration with Co-op, forms a key cornerstone in a cultural change in our ways of working. We are committed to driving continuous improvement and sharing of best practice amongst all of our partners”.
Culina Group company Stobart Europe is hitting the New Year running with the establishment of an important new division – Stobart Multimodal.
Stobart Multimodal will offer a wide range of integrated specialist services including ambient and temperature controlled logistics solutions, road and rail transport to continental port of exit, export customs formalities, shipment to the UK, import customs clearances, and deliveries in to Culina Group locations.
Following the acquisition of Stobart Europe in the summer of 2021 Culina Group had a vision to establish a fully integrated supply chain and over the last six months have been working hard to make Stobart Multimodal a reality.
Accelerated development of the vision was prompted by the various unprecedented logistics challenges of 2021, including COVID, Brexit, and the evolving driver shortage. These challenges have been financially tough and time-consuming for many Culina Group customers. Significantly COVID exacerbated Brexit issues have frequently caused continental loads to arrive in to the UK late, sometimes leading to empty shelves in stores. The challenges confirmed to Culina Group that the time was right to develop the Stobart Multimodal concept.
“Well over 100,000 full loads are delivered into Culina Group warehouses from the continent each year and up until now we have had limited control over when goods would be arriving”, said Thomas Van Mourik – Culina Group CEO,
“Stobart Multimodal will address this. High-level logistics solutions will be offered and performance will be guaranteed, all backed up by emergency solutions in the form of Culina Group resources.
We will work with selected partners on specific corridors easing the pressure on our customers supply chains and limiting disruption to their operations.”
Leading the development of Stobart Multimodal is International Logistics Expert – Arthur Koutstaal. Arthur has nearly forty years’ experience in logistics and has worked in numerous operational positions for prominent businesses such as Geest North Sea Line (now part of Samskip), P&O Ferrymasters Zeebrugge, ECS European Containers, Koolwijk Logistics, and Move Intermodal.
“I am very pleased to welcome Arthur to the Culina Group business in the position of Senior Supply Chain Specialist for Stobart Multimodal”, said Thomas, “He has always had strong links with the UK and Ireland and has historically worked very closely with Culina Group delivering into our warehouses so knows our business well.”
Stobart Multimodal priorities going forward will be focused around infrastructure and IT whilst developing its network with strategic partners. Culina Group will also be looking at potential acquisitions that fit with the Stobart Multimodal business model as well as identifying appropriate investment opportunities.
We are a market leading logistics company, founded in 1994. There are several businesses that form Culina Group including Culina, Stobart, Stobart Europe, Fowler Welch, Great Bear, Warrens, CML, IPS, The Pallet Network, iForce, Logistics People and MMiD. These Group businesses cover four key service sectors, chilled and ambient warehousing and distribution, co-pack and resourcing.
Where are we located?
We have a nationwide network of depots across the UK and Ireland offering chilled, ambient and co-packing services, as well as warehousing space. To find your nearest depot please visit https://www.culina.co.uk/about-us/nationwide-network/
What are the entry criteria for the apprenticeship scheme?
When filtering candidates we complete the following checks:
Hold a valid full UK driving licence (manual Cat-B licence) with at least 6 months driving experience to qualify for the license acquisition and do not hold any driving LGV entitlements (Cat C or C+E)
Applicant must be over the age of 18
No DR or DD codes.
6 points maximum allowed.
Having a ‘can-do’ attitude and an appreciation of customer service are important qualities for us.
The ability to remain motivated whilst working alone is essential for a driving focused role.
Being an excellent team player is vital at Culina Group, as is the ability to communicate effectively with your colleagues.
For safety purposes, we do require our apprentices have a satisfactory medical assessment.
Will I need to complete functional skills training?
Unless the candidate already has a grade C or equivalent at GCSE Maths and English, they are required to complete functional skills assessments. Functional skills is taught and assessed by the training provider as part of the apprenticeship curriculum.
How long does the apprenticeship last?
The apprenticeship is 12 months and one day long, with an end point assessment (EPA) at 13 months. The EPA will be conducted by a third party assessor.
What does the apprenticeship involve?
This role is brand-new within the business, not only will you earn whilst you learn on our structured 13 month scheme, but on completion you will be guaranteed a permanent position. This amazing opportunity is not just a job, it will allow you to develop your skills and begin your journey towards a life-changing career.
Over the 13 months, you will be working towards becoming a fully-fledged member of our growing Driver team through work shadowing, ‘hands–on’ training and computer based learning.
Throughout the scheme, you will have the full support and guidance of fellow colleagues, trainers and our dedicated Apprenticeship Manager to help you grow and develop into an outstanding Logistics professional.
What are the key responsibilities of the role?
You will be responsible for collecting and delivering our customers’ products in line with our agreed service levels, whilst ensuring a professional service throughout.
You will be learning about the regulations surrounding Drivers’ Hours, Tachographs and Working Time legislation to ensure both compliance and safety standards are adhered to.
What are the Apprenticeship Scheme pay rates?
£350 per week, payable in arrears by credit transfer to your bank account at monthly intervals on or about the 25th day of each month.
On the satisfactory completion of your basic training programme and the achievement of your licence acquisition, your pay will increase in % increments during the first year of employment. These % increases will be based on the standard LGV Driver rate for the depot to which you are contracted to work at. The % increases are also specific to the group company you work for and the depot you are contracted to work at.
An example of the % increases are as follows:
Week 16- 24 = 80% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Week 25 – 33 = 90% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Week 34 – 52 = 95% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Week 53 = 100% of your depot current driver rate per annum
Where can I apply?
Please check out our current live vacancies via our Culina Careers website page by clicking the provided links below. From this page you can search for and apply directly for available vacancies that are local to your area.
At least two weeks before the assessment day is due to take place, candidates will be filtered for their suitability to the apprenticeship scheme.
If the candidate passes the filtering stage, they will then have a phone interview with the training provider, and subsequently invited to the assessment day.
During the assessment day, candidates will complete a variety of activities, including a driving assessment and group exercise. These exercises are designed to be a fun and informative experience to help the candidate decide whether a career as a driver is the right choice for them.
There will also be a more formal interview with the depot management. Following the assessment day, successful candidates will be contacted and sent contracts. Any unsuccessful candidates will also be contacted with an update.
What do I do while I wait for my provisional entitlement?
While you wait for your provisional entitlement, you will be completing lessons in preparation for your Theory and Hazard perception tests. During this period, you will also be exposed to as many aspects of the industry as is possible. We hope to give you a well-rounded insight into all areas while on the apprenticeship scheme, not just driving. This could include shadowing in the transport office, shadowing planners, or working in the warehouse.
As part of the apprenticeship, you will also need to complete ‘Off-the-job logs’. These logs must make up at least 20% of an apprentice’s normal working hours (paid hours excluding overtime) over the planned duration of the apprenticeship.
What will I be taught on the apprenticeship?
While enrolled in the apprenticeship, you will complete a series of masterclasses aimed to give you a better understanding of the logistics industry, as well as improving the knowledge you will need as a Class 1 driver.
You will also be scheduled time to shadow drivers on their runs. This is the perfect opportunity to ask questions regarding how to drive the vehicle, as well as any other questions about the industry.
What benefits are there within Culina Group?
We offer:
Opportunities for personal progression, training and development
Competitive terms and conditions of employment
Employee feedback via employee Surveys
Cross depot project involvement
Effective H&S / Occupational Health Management
Customer interaction
Pension Scheme: If you qualify for the Company’s Group Personal Pension Scheme then this will be set out in your Letter of Appointment / Contract of Employment and the Company’s appointed Pensions Scheme Administrator will be in touch with you shortly.
Life assurance is provided by the Company and covers you whilst you are in employment of the Company, not just at work. You should nominate your beneficiaries using the form available from HR.
Culina Group Benefits Website: As part of our drive to make this a great place to work, we are now very pleased to offer you a wider choice of benefits which are now available in addition to the existing core benefits you enjoy. On your behalf we have negotiated special rates and discounts which should not only save you money, but will also be a source of general assistance and support via our HAPI Benefits.
What opportunities for personal progression are there within Culina Group?
When you join Culina Group you are given more than a job; you are given an exciting chance to become the best version of yourself. You are given a fantastic opportunity to progress within our ever expanding organisation.
We care massively about Culina Group colleagues’ growth and wellbeing. We seek to continually deliver the best training support and solutions possible right across the UK.
For dynamic Culina Group colleagues and ambitious prospective members of our growing UK team we offer a huge and continually expanding range of ad hoc, short and long term training and development support solutions across all aspects of our business.
The Culina Group Learning and Development Team of expert professionals develop and implement a comprehensive mix of e-learning, online courses, In house courses, Mentoring schemes, Apprenticeships, and Management Training Programmes for colleagues at every level within the Group.
Wherever you are, whether you are working in Transport and Logistics, Warehouse Operations or Fulfilment, Management or Administration we have many options and opportunities for you to progress your career.
Our wide range of e-learning programmes offers learning opportunities on diverse subjects such as IT, Confidence Building, Employment Law, Accounting, Coaching, GDPR, Financial Strategy and various Microsoft courses which are all readily available to use. Whether it’s to learn something new or to touch up on any existing skills, e-learning will provide you with all the information you require.
Our Mentoring Schemes offer formal on-going support for Mentees to build towards their career aspirations. Mentors and mentees are paired up based on desired experience for a 12-month period.
Culina Group is committed to recruiting and developing the stars of tomorrow through our Apprentice Programmes which allows the opportunity to gain relevant qualifications while learning on the job.
Our 12 month LEAD (Leadership, Exploration, Ability, and Development) programmes for all management levels are bespoke to Culina Group. LEAD 1 – Leading a Team – for First Tier Management, LEAD 2 – Leading Leaders – for Middle Management, and LEAD 3 – Leading a Business – for Senior Management.
At Culina Group every colleague receives a Personal Development Plan each year. Your Personal Development Plan allows you to discuss your individual development needs and how best Culina Group can help you to achieve your goals within the company.
In the last five years Culina Group has grown tenfold in size. We now offer huge opportunities for ambitious people to grow and progress.
We will provide encouragement and support to ensure that you fulfil your potential no matter where you are or what area of our business you work in.
If you give 100% whilst displaying a diligent and customer focused attitude, then the sky is the limit for you at Culina Group.
To discuss specific training solutions please contact your Learning and Development Advisor or to book on an internal Learning and Development Course please contact Julia.clarke@culina.co.uk
Like what you have read? Culina Group can get you where you want to be in your career. Join our winning team by visiting www.culinacareers.co.uk and begin your journey to the best possible you today.
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If you have any questions about any of the vacancies available or would like to make an enquiry, please get in touch