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the last few years, Suttons is positive of future opportunities, shown by this large order. “There is still room for expansion for us within the UK. We’re just about to go through a strategic review as we are three years into our five-year plan and, on the UK side, we’ve been successful implementing this, improving the calibre of people within the business and completing some of the acquisitions we identified.”
MANAGING AN ONGOING fleet revamp, working with government agencies and then finding the time to host a safety day event is a lot to consider, but UK-based Suttons Group has done just that. The specialist logistics service provider has done more in the last few months than many businesses achieve in years and more is set to happen.
also placing a pre-order for trucks in 2020”. Suttons has orders for 72 units for delivery by the end of 2019 and a further 55 are for delivery in 2020. All of these orders are for Volvo FM GT XL models. “The reason for pre-ordering the trucks for 2020 is due to the uncertainty about what may or may not happen with Brexit,” says Sutton.
BRANCHING OUT Suttons has diversified its reach and expanded through acquisitions over the last couple of years. This has allowed the business to develop relationships with new customers and grow in sectors where it previously only had a small representation. “These new acquisitions have got us into different sectors and solidified our position in the chemical sector,” says Sutton. “These acquisitions have really helped us in sectors that we weren’t particularly strong in, such as waste products. This has allowed our customers to see our service levels and quality we provide.” Of course, these new acquisitions and pre-emptive vehicle purchases are, in part, designed to offset any issues that may arise when Brexit happens – if it happens at all. “Brexit is a difficult one to answer as we just don’t know what will happen,” laughs Sutton. “I think our general view on that is that over the next five to ten years whatever is currently coming in and out of the UK will continue to need to come in and out of the UK. “Even longer term, we believe that where production of raw materials, perhaps, moves out of the UK, these raw materials will need to be shipped into the UK and, rather than being moved domestically from factory to
HCB caught up with John Sutton, Group CEO, to discuss developments since the last conversation (HCB May 2019, page 39). Following up on the progress of the fleet expansion, John Sutton explains that “in addition to the trucks already on order, we’re
“A lot of manufacturers indicated that there might be tariffs on trucks of up to 20 per cent. So, because of this, our orders have been secured throughout next year.” Despite all the uncertainties and variables that have been a constant source of frustration in the UK/European market for
factory, possibly it will come from port storage or importing ISO tanks into the UK.” According to Sutton, the UK economy seems to be doing as well as – if not better than – most mainland European economies in terms of demand. He then sums up concerns surrounding Britain and Brexit best when he
ON THE GO STRATEGY • SUTTONS GROUP CEO JOHN SUTTON DISCUSSES THE COMPANY’S APPROACH TO IMPROVING ITS MARKET POSITION IN A VOLATILE AND UNPREDICTABLE WORLD
HCB MONTHLY | NOVEMBER 2019
