A Gloucestershire-based logistics company has been awarded a £15 million contract over five years.

CM Downton has finalised the deal with insulation manufacturer Isover, part of the global Saint Gobain group, following a competitive tender.

Downton, which has its headquarters at Moreton Valence, has taken on the management, transport and shunting teams from the previous transport provider under TUPE regulations and also acquired a number of Isover-liveried trailers.

Isover manufactures a range of mineral wool insulation products at its factory in Runcorn, Cheshire, near Downton's own facility in the town.

The previous transport provider for Isover had co-ordinated the operations of its own fleet and multiple sub-contractors to arrange the collection of loads from the factory. With limited space on the site for loading, and little room for expansion as production volumes grow, this led to some scheduling issues and periods of congestion which put a strain on deliveries.

Downton offered an alternative solution whereby finished products are shunted directly from the factory store to its own facility where there is more room for loading and future expansion.

John Pointon, supply chain manager at Isover UK, said: "Downton was able to demonstrate innovation and value that will support Isover's ongoing business growth with added stability. Part of the transfer to CM Downton will include updated branding to 20 of Isover's trailers in line with the company's new Sound Good Factor campaign."

Downton has configured the operation with a core fleet supported with resources from its wider network. The operation involves daily deliveries of between 30 and 35 loads of palletised slab and roll insulation weighing up to 10 tonnes to Isover's building trade customers and other stockists.

David Hutchings, head of business development at CM Downton, said: "The length of contract is unusual but we were able to demonstrate innovation and value that will support Isover's ongoing business growth with added stability.

"There are commercial and operational benefits of doing an extended deal for both sides. Saint Gobain and Isover saw that we are a solid business who can offer strategic support over the longer term.

"This was a challenging and complex transfer but it was completed seamlessly, the ramp-up has gone exceptionally well and the support we gave ahead of go-live demonstrates our flexible and can-do attitude."

Downton employs approximately 1,350 people at 12 distribution hubs strategically located throughout the UK. The business operates 600 tractor units and 1,800 trailers.

Pictured: left to right: John Downton, Downton Group operations director, Simon Tait, Isover operations director, John Pointon, Isover supply chain manager and Jannette Wallace, Downton Runcorn depot manager