Milestone Year for Oakland International as New MD Announced
In what will be a milestone year for the UK and Ireland supply chain specialists Oakland International, it has now been confirmed that Barry Davies is the company’s new Managing Director.
Previously Managing Director of Logistics for A. F. Blakemore & Son, leading and implementing many achievements within his eight year tenure as the business doubled in size to £1.2bn turnover. With a keen interest in minimising the impact to the environment throughout the supply chain he introduced a recycling centre, and a range of double deck trailers for multi-drop deliveries / collections whilst achieving the environmental ISO14001 standard together with carbon and sustainability awards. Barry commented that he “was privileged to have worked with the Blakemore family, customers and the team to which we achieved Investors in People – Silver status during 2011” (less than 2% of UK accredited businesses).
Barry also commented: “I am extremely pleased to be joining the Oakland International family business to review, revitalise and rejuvenate for success with all our stakeholders ensuring that we are a ‘partner of choice’ and an enabler for connecting networks.”
An award winning family business, Oakland International operates UK and Ireland depots for food and consumer goods supplying major UK and Irish retail, wholesale, discount and convenience markets. Planned UK growth over the next decade will see Oakland’s warehouse capacity increase four-fold to 65m2 / 700,000 sq. ft., employing circa 900 people within the UK and a turnover in excess of £70 million and a Group turnover of £180 million by 2024.
Barry added: “Having been a customer of Oakland I’m encouraged by the reputation it upholds, and the sustainability for growth in the longer term. As we build upon our platform and continue the Oakland journey, we will strive to add value throughout the networks whilst gaining competitive advantage through our team with the vision of being an employer of choice for the communities in which we operate.”
Oakland International CEO, Dean Attwell, stated: “I am delighted to confirm the appointment of Barry Davies as Oakland International (UK) Managing Director. His third party logistics experience, combined with working with one of the UK’s largest family businesses in competitive marketplaces, means he brings with him substantial personal leadership experience in developing and managing both business and people”.
