A NORTH Tawton-based business is celebrating a major development in its dealings with a nationwide drinks operation. Gregory Distribution Ltd is to deliver products for the CERT drinks network, a supply chain for manufacturers of wines, beers, spirits and other drinks. With the establishment of the network, the CERT group hopes to increase the number of drinks cases it handles from 35 million to 50 million by the end of the year. Gregory Distribution, which has been a partner of the CERT group for five years, will be delivering drinks products, including household names like Red Bull, from Leicester to major food retailers, wholesalers, cash and carrys and convenience stores throughout South West England and South Wales. Andy Walker, managing director at Gregory Distribution, said: ?The CERT drinks network complements our other logistics operations and provides us with additional business opportunities. ?Similarly, as a leading player in the distribution sector, we are able to support the CERT drinks network with our transport expertise and resources.? Jeff Stanton, chief executive of the CERT group, said: ?We look forward to developing our relationship further with Gregory Distribution as a result of the creation of the CERT drinks network. ?It is a win-win situation ? we are able to provide an unrivalled drinks operation to our customers using the resources of our established and highly professional logistics partners, while Gregory Distribution will be able to grow their business as we significantly increase the volumes of drinks products we handle over the next year.? Gregory Distribution employs 1,100 staff and now has a fleet of more than 400 vehicles. Its turnover last year was £75-million.
