Marks & Spencer has chosen a UK partner to work with for the first time for its New World bulk wine bottling, moving some its contract packing business to Manchester-based Kingsland.

M&S aims to become the world’s most sustainable retailer and established ‘Plan A’ – an eco and ethical programme – eight years ago in order to achieve this.  “Kingsland convinced us that it has all the facilities, market expertise and shared values that will support and augment our wine business, and also help us achieve the high reaching goals we set ourselves on sustainability,” comments M&S Wine Buyer Yves Fourcade.

Kingsland believes that winning the M&S contract is recognition of the company’s development in recent years: from investment in its wider marketing capability, to its excellent manufacturing and logistics  facilities and the additional value that its business, quality management and environmental accreditations can bring to the M&S buying team.  Amongst others, Kingsland has ISO9001:2008, the BRC Grade A for Food Safety and a fully-equipped Labcred certified laboratory and is currently working towards ISO14001 for environmental management.

Guy Young, Commercial Director at Kingsland, explains, “We have worked hard to ensure we’re ahead of the curve when it comes to understanding the UK market – add to that seven fully automated bottling lines running 24/7 and our development of transportation along the Manchester Ship Canal, and I think we showed M&S that Kingsland is a company sharing the same business, ethical and sustainability goals.  And that we can truly be a world class service provider.”

Established over 50 years ago, Kingsland are experts in UK filling, packaging and bulk wine shipping, providing the complete supply chain solution.  In 2012, the purchase of assets of the Stratford’s business gave Kingsland the opportunity to build on its existing agency business.