First Choice goes the extra mile with Welbilt spares

UK: Catering equipment spares supplier First Choice and food service equipment group Welbilt have announced a partnership with BT Final Mile and its network of intelligent lockers. 

Designed to minimise supply chain costs, reduce downtime for busy operators and improve engineer efficiency, the partnership is expected to save more than 40,000 miles of driving per year.

With over 1,900 locker locations nationwide, BT Final Mile is the largest network of its type in the UK. Using intelligent technology, engineers can collect their required parts from a location that is convenient to them, achieving significant time and cost savings.

Supplementing the existing logistical solutions offered by First Choice Group, the new partnership with BT Final Mile and Welbilt will allow essential parts to be delivered to the service provider more quickly. 

For Welbilt, the deal enables the company to reduce the mileage of its network of 30 engineers and reduce the associated costs and the CO2 produced. 

Managing van stocks directly from its distribution centre in Cannock, First Choice says that BT Final Mile logistics helps to ensure the right part is supplied – enhancing first-time fix rates and maximising uptime on Welbilt equipment.

“As the exclusive supplier of spare parts for the manufacturer’s leading brands including Merrychef, Convotherm and Crem, we will work with BT Final Mile to ensure the necessary parts are delivered to secure lockers nationwide before 8am the following day,” explained First Choice Group’s head of manufacturer partnerships Steven McLaren.

“This allows the engineer to collect a personalised delivery in a convenient location ready for their day ahead. Not only does this help to drive efficiency for Welbilt, but it is better for the planet and can significantly reduce downtime for operators running their busy kitchens.”