Distribution Division: Growth, Expansion, and Efficiency Gains

In 2025 alone, 35 new customers have come on board, generating more than 550 additional jobs. The more telling change, though, has come from existing accounts: 18 customers have doubled - or more than doubled - their volume, adding over 20,600 jobs between them. Some increases have been particularly significant. Refresco rose from just five jobs in 2024 to more than 7,300 in 2025. CocaCola is up 16%, Heineken by 22%, and Crown Packaging by 44%.

With all the growth has come greater demand on capacity. Subcontractor activity has increased by 79% since 2024, giving the division more flexibility day to day and strengthening coverage where it's needed most. Meanwhile, the trailer fleet has continued to expand. 200 new SDC trailers have entered service over the past 18 months, with a further 200 now being delivered. 20 M4M trailers arrived in November, with more due shortly and the remainder scheduled for build through to July 2026.

Behind the headline numbers, Distribution has become less reliant on its largest accounts too. The top ten customers now account for 78% of total volume, down from 85% last year, giving the division a broader, more resilient footing as it heads into 2026.

ElimiNOX Fuel Trial

Earlier this year, Distribution began trialling ElimiNOX, an all-natural fuel additive designed to improve combustion efficiency and support cleaner engine performance. Fuel remains one of the division's largest costs, with almost £20m spent on diesel last year; any uplift in MPG, even a small one, has the potential to deliver a substantial annual saving while also reducing carbon output.

The initial trial began in March at Peterborough using three vehicles: a 23-plate, 72-plate, and 71-plate, to measure performance across trucks of different ages and levels of use. Older vehicles showed the strongest early improvement, reflecting the higher level of contamination typically found in their fuel systems. Each truck ran fixed day and night routes with the same drivers, giving a consistent baseline for comparison. The first month ran without the additive, followed by three months with ElimiNOX introduced. In practice, the trial continued beyond that period so further data could be captured from the same vehicles and routes.

After twenty weeks, the scope widened. Seven vehicles are now part of an extended trial: four running with ElimiNOX and three without, this time on general work rather than fixed routes and drivers. This phase will run through to the New Year.

The early signs are promising, and the next step is to understand how far this trial can be replicated across a wider group of vehicles. Thanks to Pete, Stuart, and all drivers involved for their work so far.

With volumes rising, attention has naturally turned to the areas that carry the biggest operational cost, and the biggest opportunity.