Great Bear secures three-year extension to handle Weetabix factory clearance and UK distribution

This article reveals the details of Great Bear’s renewed transport agreement with Weetabix and explores its implications for distribution and logistics across the UK.

What the extension covers

The renewed deal keeps Great Bear responsible for factory clearance from Weetabix production sites to the Burton Latimer warehouse in Northamptonshire until the end of 2028, while also covering secondary distribution across the UK. The scope has expanded to include transport services from the Deeside operation as well, following Weetabix’s acquisition of Deeside Cereals in December 2023.

In plain English: trucks will continue to collect finished goods from the mills, take them to the central warehouse, and then feed the regional network for onward delivery. It’s a classic factory-to-distribution-centre flow, and when it works well, it’s the unsung hero of supermarket shelves and breakfast tables alike.

Contract highlights at a glance

Why performance metrics matter

Great Bear’s reported 98.7% on-time performance over a 12-month stretch is notable. For a grocery manufacturer, punctuality directly influences stock availability, shelf replenishment, and promotional success. A miss in the transport leg can ripple through production schedules and retailer fulfilment plans — and as any logistics manager will tell you, “time is pallets.”

KPI stability like this is a practical signal to supply chain partners and retailers that the carrier can handle peak demand windows, promotional surges and seasonal spikes without breaking the chain of delivery.

Operational implications for carriers and shippers

• Network resilience: A multi-year partnership secures lane capacity and reduces tender churn.
• Planificarea capacității: Consistent volumes allow better resource allocation — from drivers to trailers and pallets.
• Warehouse throughput: Predictable arrivals improve dock scheduling and reduce dwell time.
• Last-mile impact: Secondary distribution concentrates on speed, route density and parcel/pallet mixes.
• Cost control: Predictability helps smooth freight and haulage rates over the contract term.

Deeside’s role and new product flows

Deeside has begun producing Weetabix-branded lines, including Disney Toy Story-themed Wheaties with honey and chocolate caramel flavours. Bringing Deeside transport into the same distribution umbrella simplifies coordination between production and logistics, which helps when new SKUs and promotional products must flow into retail assortments quickly.

What this means for the broader logistics landscape

On the surface, the three-year extension seems like business as usual — but there are a few knock-on effects for the market. Consolidation of transport services under stable long-term contracts reduces friction in procurement and can encourage investments in route optimization, digital tracking and improved carrier-retailer collaboration. In short, reliable partnerships tend to nudge the sector toward more efficient, technology-enabled freight flows.

Practical takeaways for shippers and third-party logistics providers

• Build flexibility into contracts for SKU growth and seasonal peaks.
• Prioritise carriers with proven on-time metrics to avoid stockouts.
• Invest in visibility tools — telematics, EDI and pallet-level tracking — to keep the chain transparent.
• Plan for bulky and promotional shipments that require special handling or pallet configurations.

Riscuri și aspecte de luat în considerare

Even with a strong performance record, providers must manage driver shortages, fuel price volatility and regulatory shifts. A dependable on-time percentage today can be tested by disruptive events tomorrow — which is why contingency planning, alternative routes and cross-dock strategies remain essential.

Logistics lessons from the contract renewal

The renewal reflects a wider truth: food manufacturers value stable, measurable transport partnerships that can deliver consistently. When KPIs are clear and lanes are stable, both carrier and customer can focus on continuous improvement — whether that’s reducing empty miles, improving load factors, or speeding up turnaround at the Burton Latimer hub.

Highlights worth remembering: long-term deals secure capacity, integrated networks simplify product launches, and strong KPIs directly support retail availability. Still, the best review can only tell you so much — nothing beats seeing a carrier perform in your own operation. On GetTransport.com, you can order your cargo transportation at the best prices globally at reasonable prices. Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com. Get the best offers GetTransport.com.com

In summary, the Great Bear–Weetabix extension locks in a reliable transport and distribution arrangement that supports factory clearance, secondary distribution and the expanded Deeside output. For logistics professionals, this underlines the value of steady carrier partnerships, strong KPIs and coordinated network planning. When moving cereal, furniture, vehicles or bulky promotional pallets, the same core logistics principles apply: coordinate, measure and adapt. GetTransport.com directly aligns with these needs by offering affordable, global cargo solutions for office and home moves, freight deliveries, and the transport of large items like furniture, vehicles and bulky goods — simplifying shipping, forwarding, dispatch and haulage so supply chains run smoother and customers stay satisfied.