Texaco has signed up delivered wholesaler Blueheath to handle grocery distribution to its forecourt sites throughout the UK.

The deal will see Blueheath supply groceries to about 350 Texaco forecourts. A range of 150 grocery products will be delivered up to four times a week to Texaco’s distribution hub at Lutterworth, Leicestershire, for onward delivery to its forecourts.

In the past 12 months, Blueheath has won distribution contracts for forecourt companies including Murco, Snax 24 and Malthurst, although there have been teething problems for some retailers. A number of Murco contract managers were angered at being forced to change their grocery supplier to Blueheath, after experiencing late and bungled deliveries and higher prices.

But David Jenkins, grocery category manager at Texaco, said: “Blueheath is able to offer us a service level which we anticipate will help availability at store level. This can only be good news for our customers, for Texaco and for Blueheath.”

Texaco will benefit from Blueheath’s advanced stock management system, as well as access to the wholesaler’s vast product range, distribution expertise and what are said to be competitive prices. Chris Philp, business development director at Blueheath, said: “We are delighted that Texaco sees Blueheath’s delivery system as right for its business. We will be working with them to achieve high service standards and keen pricing.”

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