Efficient Partnership: Signature Flatbreads and Emons Cargo

Collaboration is key to success. Signature Flatbreads, a leading producer and distributor of flatbread products in the UK, Europe, and the Middle East, has partnered with Emons Cargo to optimize its logistics processes. Giuseppe Marra, Transport Planner at Signature Flatbreads, has kindly agreed to share his insights into this partnership.

The company was founded in 1984 in London by Samir Eid, who grew up in a family of backers. At the time, the company was called Honeytop Speciality Foods. Since then, that family company has grown into a large organization that is still rapidly expanding. We are talking of an impressive supply chain that manages up to 1500 pallets per day. We supply supermarkets across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. It’s not what you would call a small feat, considering the demands of our industry.

I’m the Transport Planner, responsible for the export abroad. However, I also like to keep an eye on production to be ready for any issue or glitch in the supply chain in time to try and find solutions. When necessary, I step in for colleagues responsible for supplying the UK market. I like to think of myself as a bit of a jack-of-all-trades!

It wasn’t an active search. It’s just that I’m always on the lookout for improvements. I came across Emons Cargo through an email or a brochure, I’m not sure. We contacted Emons Cargo and they organized a meeting and a demo for us. After the demo, I was the one pushing to give it a try. Many in the company were somewhat reluctant to change, but I insisted. The idea intrigued me because I could see the potential cost savings.

At first, it was just a test, we didn’t know what to expect. None of us had ever seen a double-deck like the 2WIN before. But we were all impressed and its convenience was immediately clear after the demo. We all knew then that it could make a difference.

There were initial concerns, particularly about the fear that the truck was too high for some of our client’s warehouses. But in the end, it was enough to send a video link and PDF, and everyone accepted it without further tests.

We also had a new client who was particularly sceptical. In that case, the Emons Cargo team brought them one of the 2WIN trailers to show it in action. After seeing it, all the scepticism was gone! I guess they had doubts because these trailers are still quite unknown. It was the same in our company before we saw one of them.

The primary objective was, and still is, to cut costs. We produce bread, which is a low-margin product. Every penny saved on transportation can be put back into the product or passed on to our customers. Fundamentally, it’s all about saving money.

Absolutely. Being on the other side with trucks myself – I previously worked with warehouse operations –  I knew what to look for. With 2WIN, we can combine two orders and significantly reduce costs. Although pallet height sometimes limits how often we can combine loads, when it does work, the savings are noticeable. I’m more than happy to recommend 2WIN to others, and if it were possible, I’d use it for all our loads.

Your team has been incredibly helpful with the demo and the explanations. Also, the Emons Customs Support Team is of great assistance. They take care of the documentation and the papers related to export and import. That didn’t just help the implementation of the 2WIN but it is still a major asset.

The tail lift really stood out. None of us had ever seen a solution like this. It’s one of those things that, once you’ve seen it in action, you realize how valuable it can be.

Environmental and social consciousness is something we are committed to. We produce items with short expiration dates, so, for example, waste management is a challenge. We’ve developed a supply chain for charity to minimize waste. Thereduction in CO2 emissions that 2WIN provides fits perfectly with this kind of commitment.

Sustainability is a big deal for us. We win awards every year for our efforts. 2WIN has helped lower our CO2 emission, which is something we track closely with a dedicated department. Most of our shipments are domestic, so we rely heavily on road transport. The impact 2WIN has had on both our costs and our carbon footprint has been substantial.

I appreciate the solid transport service and effective communication at Emons Cargo. If I have to find something to improve, it could be in managing waiting times. Occasionally, for instance, when there are delays due to customs or loads not being ready upon arrival, there is usually a waiting charge. Perhaps we could explore the idea of a package deal that includes provisions for potential delays. But of course, I understand that a company has its policies to observe and its costs to take care of. I value our partnership too well to be seriously bothered by such a minor issue.

Yes, there is one thing I’d like to mention. I appreciate that your drivers handle the loading themselves. You should see our colleagues in the warehouse; they are always happy when they see one of your trucks arrive. For them, it means more time for other tasks or even a little extra break. It makes a big difference for us.

Thanking Giuseppe for his time, we can’t help but reflect on how his insights highlight the benefits of a solid and reliable collaboration. With a smart solution like 2WIN, Emons Cargo has helped Signature Flatbreads cut costs and increase efficiency while supporting their sustainability goals – bringing value where it counts. It’s all about partnership, and this one seems to be a great fit!