It’s a big year of high profile celebrations for Culina Group in 2019 as the business marks its 25th year in business.
Now a market leading UK logistics organisation employing over 6,500 people at over 60 strategically located sites across the UK and Ireland, with more than 1,200 trucks and 2,000 trailers on the road - Culina Group is a magnificent food and drinks logistics success story. 

The seeds of the Culina Group business were sown way back in 1994 when the company was established in Market Drayton, Shropshire. Founded the same year that the Channel Tunnel opened, Culina Group began as a single site operation serving just one client. Building a strong reputation and solid foundations for growth, Culina Group opened its central operation and fully automated chilled warehouse at Market Drayton in 1998.

Steady growth continued over the next few years. In 2001, a site in Milton Keynes was established as a UK distribution platform for FMCG manufacturers based in the UK and Europe. In 2006, a site in Stafford opened further improving client distribution support.

As the “noughties” drew to a close, the momentum of growth for Culina Group began to accelerate. In 2008, Culina Logistics (The Group’s chilled division) merged with Baylis Transport to create a new 3PL business under the Culina name. In the same year the business opened a 200,000 sq. ft. site at Haverhill.

The following year saw major developments as Wincanton merged its chilled consolidation activities in the UK with Culina Logistics, and Culina Group entered into a joint venture with contract packing business IPS, significantly adding value to client operations. Then in 2010, as a new decade dawned, a joint venture with SHS Group saw a new 3PL solution across Ireland established.

In 2012, the London Olympic year, Culina Group continued on the acquisition trail with an agreement to take over the supply chain activities of Cert Octavian, and the following year further enhanced its nationwide network with the introduction of a 210,000 sq. ft. state of the art chilled distribution centre in Bristol.

Contract packing business IPS was fully acquired in 2014, before significant Culina Group expansion took place in 2016 with the announcement of a major deal to acquire the highly reputable Great Bear and the establishment of a joint venture with CML, the discount retail 3PL specialist. The same year saw Great Bear open Port Salford the UK’s first “Tri-modal” (Road, Rail, and Sea) facility.

Further expansion in 2017 saw CML fully acquired by Culina Group, and a joint venture agreement with market-leading Irish haulier Morgan Mclernon. Again, major infrastructure foundations were laid with the introduction of the massive Great Bear operation at Markham Vale.

In 2018, Culina Group growth momentum had shown absolutely no signs of slowing up as the announcement of a joint venture with market leading baked goods logistics business Warrens Group was followed closely by the acquisition of fresh produce logistics business – Robson’s of Spalding. Finishing off the year, IPS acquired food-manufacturing and co-packing business FoodPack.

With acquisition, expansion, continued investment, and significant new contracts, 2018 was certainly another landmark year for Culina Group with the company’s growth trajectory increasing in spectacular fashion.

From its roots as a chilled logistics specialist with a single client, Culina Group now comprises eight uniquely specialist and complementary food and drinks logistics businesses. Culina Logistics, Great Bear, IPS, FoodPack, CML, Morgan McLernon, Warrens Group and Robson’s of Spalding all combine to provide an impressive portfolio of 3PL services.

“We are building a unified family of strong specialist logistics businesses,” said Thomas van Mourik Culina Group CEO. 

“Each of our specialist businesses operates in their own unique marketplaces, but all complement each other, working together towards our common goal of growth through service excellence and innovation. When we acquire a business, we apply a formula for integration and growth that works well for all concerned. As a Group, we give support as and when required, in terms of HR, IT, Finance, and Marketing. We also evolve their branding into the ‘Culina style’ so that each business really feels a part of the Group without losing its own hard earned identity.”

The acquisition of Warrens Group and Robson’s of Spalding in 2018 has enabled Culina Group to expand its 3PL operations into two new sectors – Baked Goods, and Fresh Produce - both fully complement its current portfolio of logistics services and are already helping to further strengthen key Group contracts with significant clients.

“Looking to the future I am always keeping a very close eye on the performance of businesses in the marketplace,” said Thomas.

“We are consistently working extremely hard to identify and convert great opportunities to grow Culina Group in all areas, new business opportunities, new acquisition opportunities, new opportunities to expand and improve our infrastructure, and opportunities to exploit the benefits of new logistics concepts and technologies.” 

Each specialist Culina Group business focuses on its 3PL expertise whilst as required dovetailing into other Group businesses to meet the individual needs of 3PL contract clients.

Culina Logistics – Market leader in UK chilled shared-user logistics

The foundation business within Culina Group and the market-leader in UK chilled shared-user logistics. Culina Logistics currently has a portfolio of around 120 food and drink clients many of which are household names. 

Great Bear - The flexible, agile ambient 3PL alternative 

A key player in ambient 3PL, and through an extensive depot network including unique state-of-the-art facilities at Port Salford and Markham Vale, Great Bear serves established FMCG businesses.

IPS – UK market-leader in contract packing

Providing the most extensive pool of contract packing equipment and expertise available in the UK. IPS continues to grow and is now widely integrated and embedded within operations right across the Culina Group network.

CML – UK market-leader in discounter chilled logistics

The market-leader in chilled logistics to the discount retailers. CML works with approximately 60 clients all requiring efficient and streamlined logistics solutions.

Morgan McLernon – The largest operation in Northern and Southern Ireland

Specialising in ambient, chilled, and frozen storage and logistics services, Morgan McLernon is the largest haulage operation in Northern and Southern Ireland serving around 120 clients. 

Warrens Group – Storage and logistics of non-refrigerated baked goods

With a tremendous industry reputation and a dedicated focus on storage and logistics of non-refrigerated baked goods, Warrens Group are dominant in the bread, cake and patisserie services marketplace.

Robson’s – Market-leader in time critical Fresh Produce logistics

Operating almost exclusively in the Fresh Produce logistics sector providing time critical services to growers predominantly for supply to discount retailers. With a highly experienced and dedicated team, Robson’s of Spalding have an excellent reputation for service and performance.

FoodPack – Food manufacturing and co-packing specialists

Producing a wide range of ambient foods in own-label and branded manufacture for many of the leading retailers and brands in the UK. FoodPack are passionate about delivering great foods and focussed on pushing the boundaries of innovation.

Following entry into UK logistics in 1994, Culina Group has enjoyed steady and consistent growth. As recently as 2015 the business stood as a £250 million food and drink logistics provider. Turnover has almost tripled in the past three years meaning Culina Group today stands as a £650+ million organisation.

Culina Group has continued following its strategic direction of growing to the next level through acquisition, joint venture, and investment. Recent growth, however, has been impressive both in terms of scale and in scope. 

“Following three years of accelerated growth, Culina Group is now a £650+ million turnover business, serving more than 600 clients,” said Thomas van Mourik, Culina Group CEO. 

“Our growth momentum is on course and continuing throughout 2019 and beyond. We will continue to identify new opportunities for acquisition, joint venture and investment and, by consistently providing unique levels of service to all our clients, we will continue to grow, thereby strengthening continuity of relationships, business confidence, and job security for us all.”

“It’s all about people at Culina Group. We have great infrastructure and resources, but we know that it’s our people who make the biggest difference as we move forward as a business.”

It’s been a spectacular 25 years for Culina Group and, as is highlighted on the company’s new celebratory logo – Culina Group is “In it for the long haul” – as it has been since 1994!

www.culina.co.uk