Leading end-to-end international logistics service provider Torque has taken the accolade for International Supply Chain Project of the Year, for the second year, at the annual Retail Week Supply Chain Awards.
The award, which was for Torque’s partnership with British women’s active wear brand Sweaty Betty for the launch of their store openings in the USA, was part of a ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in London’s Park Lane, hosted by comedian Jarlath Regan.
The initial partnership with Sweaty Betty began with Torque providing end to end services including; importing goods, storage, pick & pack, despatching and returns processing for Sweaty Betty’s UK boutiques, which then led to the integration of its IT systems linking with the US Sweaty Betty website.
Torque’s involvement has coincided with the expansion of Sweaty Betty in both the UK and internationally. There are now 40 boutiques in total, 38 in the UK and two in the New York area, and Sweaty Betty aims to drive their future growth internationally following a successful launch in the USA. In addition to the boutiques, Torque also services Sweaty Betty’s full e-commerce business which is available worldwide.
The award category recognised supply chain initiatives that have responded to the challenges of running businesses overseas, with global supply chain solutions or innovative solutions seeking to address the needs of particular overseas markets. Among the household names Torque beat to the accolade were Shop Direct, Marks & Spencer and Tesco and its name ranked alongside other category winners such as John Lewis, ASOS, Sainsbury’s and Starbucks.
The awards judges, who were senior logistics professionals from organisations Harrods, Asda, John Lewis, Monsoon, Shop Direct Group and WH Smith, said they were full of admiration for this supply chain logistics operator and its successful international launch. The roll-out was "incredibly brave given the scale of the business", and they were impressed with the speed the strategy was deployed and how the challenge was approached.
Part of Torque’s entry was a quote from Mark Smith, finance and operations director, Sweaty Betty, which read: “We asked an awful lot of Torque, tasking them with providing much more than a third party logistics service in project-managing our US store launches. But they did the job amazingly well and the way they continue to support these outlets is impressive too. As a fast-growing company, we need flexible logistical support to meet the changing needs of our business, which can handle increased volumes and new operations, as well as ensuring our customer experience remains second-to-none. Torque continues rising to every challenge and therefore remains a vital partner in our growth story.”
Welcoming the award, Stewart Firth & Ian Winstanley, Torque Logistics, said it was a huge achievement to win the award for the second year in a row.
Firth added: “This coveted accolade symbolises the progress we’re making, as more and more brands and retailers become aware of the outstanding logistical expertise and unrivalled standards of client service we offer, reinforced by factors such as the industry-leading returns management and bespoke IT systems. In particular, the award highlights our enviable ability to offer a truly global service.
“The prize is effectively for all our employees involved full-time in the Sweaty Betty relationship. It reflects great credit on them and is an accolade they richly deserve.”
An independent company with a turnover of £70m, Torque employs over 700 people across sites in Leeds, Bradford, Wigan and London. It offers a full logistics service, from origin to end customer, and clients are able to choose which service options they need, when they need them, to suit their own logistical and warehousing needs. Providing over 1.5 million square feet of warehousing capacity, Torque operates globally for clients ranging from large and famous high street names to small internet retailers.
Other Torque clients include : Curvy Kate, the premium lingerie brand for ladies with a fuller bust; business work wear retailer TM Lewin; leading hair piece specialist Daxbourne International; outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Mountain Warehouse; golf clothing specialist PING Collection Europe; and premium coastal fashion retailer Crew Clothing.
For further information please contact Louise Blamires at Torque. Alternatively you can visit www.torque.eu or email enquiries@torque.eu
