Logistics group Wincanton has won a contract with BAE Systems to supply its Military Air & Information (MAI) operations, extending a 10-year relationship between the Chippenham-based firm and defence giant.
Under the contract Wincanton will also become the operator of a new purpose-built Defence Logistics Centre, due to be completed next year in the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone, Lancashire.
The new range of activities will include goods management and inspection, storage and packing, and transportation services in BAE Systems MAI Samlesbury and Warton sites. 
The move will consolidate operations, generating cost savings for BAE Systems and creating 70 jobs. Wincanton will be the first non-BAE Systems business operating in the enterprise zone, which covers 147 hectares around BAE Systems’ Samlesbury and Warton sites near Preston.
The Samlesbury plant employs around 4,000 people working across a variety of aircraft programmes and functions, with around 1,000 directly employed on the new F-35 Lightning II programme.
Wincanton chief executive designate Adrian Colman said: “We are proud of our long standing and successful relationship with BAE Systems. We are dedicated to building on the excellent service that we have become known for as our two companies enter this exciting new phase.”
BAE Systems MAI director of procurement and supply chain Steve Vandersteen added: “This partnership is part of our continued drive for efficiency to ensure we are well placed to provide the best possible value products and services to our customers.”
In January Wincanton secured a contract with BAE Systems to provide full logistics and warehousing services that support its UK shipbuilding operations.
Under the long-term agreement Wincanton will operate a central warehousing facility, inbound scheduling and collections and provision of modular re-useable crates.
