APS Group

Background:

APS Group, the UK’s largest supplier of tomatoes to the high street, faced the challenge of managing an extensive pallet and tray system across multiple sites. EMS assumed management of APS’s pallet account in January 2024. Initial assessments revealed the need for enhanced oversight to correct past administrative challenges and optimise equipment use across the supply chain.

Audit Cost Negotiation and Strategic Oversight:

Upon taking over, EMS conducted a thorough health check of APS’s account, uncovering several areas where audit and account processes could be streamlined. EMS successfully negotiated audit costs between CHEP and APS, achieving favourable adjustments that alleviated immediate cost pressures and safeguarded APS from potentially significant audit penalties.

Comprehensive Pallet Account Management:

EMS oversee dehires and order pallets across multiple APS sites, ensuring consistent equipment availability aligned with production demands. With routine reconciliation of weekly invoices and management of pallet returns, EMS’s approach has enabled APS to focus on core operations while ensuring all logistics are efficiently managed.

Expansion to Tray Management:

By the end of April 2024, following the success of pallet oversight, APS extended EMS’s role to include tray management, encompassing hiring, de-hiring, and stock level management. This integration supports optimal stock maintenance across APS’s production cycle, adding consistency and efficiency to their operations without requiring additional in-house resources.

Customer Testimonial:

“Working with EMS has been transformative for our logistics management. Their team stepped in seamlessly to streamline our pallet and tray systems, giving us peace of mind knowing our equipment needs are fully managed. EMS’s attention to detail and proactive oversight have allowed us to focus on growing our business, confident that our supply chain is in capable hands. We value their partnership and the consistency they bring to our operations.” — David Hoult, Chief Financial Officer, APS Group