The Island’s largest logistics company has cause for celebration – as it toasts its 20th anniversary.
Isle of Wight Distribution, based in Merstone, marked the monumental milestone with a celebratory cake – created by renowned Island business Centrepiece Cake Design, balloons from Terri’s Gifts and a small team gathering led by director Chris Hall (pictured above).
100 staff and 90 vehicles
The leading courier company is a familiar face to the Isle of Wight community, operating close to 90 vehicles while overseeing 100 staff that ensure the delivery of up to 1,500,000 parcels every year.
The company also has a strong charity ethos, and often holds fundraisers for local organisations, the most recent being Mountbatten Hospice’s Go Yellow Day in which the team raised an astonishing £2,131 for the cause.
Commitment to serving the Island’s community
Chris, who helped launch the courier company back in 2001, believes that it is the company’s commitment to serving the Island’s community that has helped support its remarkable growth over two decades.
He said,
“We started Isle of Wight Distribution with just three staff, and no depot to run our business from. However, despite our humble beginnings, we soon found that business quickly gained pace – no doubt accelerated by the significant rise of online shopping.
“After just 12-months of delivering parcels we secured an 800 square foot warehouse with no office followed by our move to a larger depot in Cowes with 12 members of staff.”
Joined forces with DPD and Yodel
Enjoying further growth, the company purchased its current 15,000 square ft warehouse in Merstone, while also joining forces with two of the UK’s largest courier companies, DPD and YODEL.
In 2018, a second depot was opened in Chandlers Ford, Southampton to act as a delivery depot for PALLEX delivering into Southampton postcodes. In addition to this, they used the warehouse’s facilities to act as a receiving depot for the Isle of Wight community to enable them to have their goods transported straight to the island in a cost-effective way.
The future remains bright
The future of Isle of Wight Distribution remains bright. Spurred on by accelerated growth due to the increase of online sales during the pandemic, the company has set its sights on a new purpose-built warehouse – located in East Cowes – to accommodate its ever-growing business.
Chris concluded,
“It’s been a fantastic 20 years and we are so proud of the work we do, not just on the road but for the local community, including our work with some of the Island’s top brands including the Garlic Farm, Rapanui, Isle of Wight Tomatoes and Isle of Wight Mushrooms.
“We can’t wait to show you what else we have in store over the next year, so watch this space!”
Article edit
8.50am 11th Nov 2021 – Commandeering changed to operating
News shared by Natalie on behalf of IW Distribution. Ed
