TRANSPORT logistics firm Taylors of Martley has clinched a major new contract with a polyester bottle manufacturer.

Taylors of Martley, based in Martley, near Worcester, runs a fleet of 150 vehicles and 300 trailers from 12 locations across the UK.

The family-owned company has linked up with Esterform Packaging, of Tenbury Wells, having initially been called in to move all Esterform's stock to a new distribution centre within a week.

It took Taylors just five days to deliver the 120 truckloads of stock, averaging 80,000 bottles per truck, to the new site.

The job led to a three-year contract to handle Esterform's entire delivery operation nation-wide.

"Taylors of Martley went that extra mile to support us," said Craig Bates, director of Esterform.

"Their quick reactions meant we achieved our goal. It was very much about teamwork between our two companies."

Testament

Celia Adams, finance director at Taylors of Martley, said being selected by Esterform was testament to the high standards set by the logistics specialist, which employs 360 staff and turned over £22m last year.

"We have a long association with packaging and the drinks industry, particularly locally," she said, adding Bulmers was also a client.

"Our success is based on teamwork and how we dovetail into our customer's service.

"We will be delivering a round-the-clock service so we have to set exceptional standards."

Esterform was established three years ago in Liverpool and moved to Tenbury Wells a year ago when it acquired Able Industries' site, formerly owned by The Robinson Group.

It makes up to 500 million PET (Polyester) bottles a year for the drinks industry at its 65,000 sq ft manufacturing site, which employs 81 people.