County Durham firm secures European distribution through new partnership

A County Durham logistics firm has partnered with a national network to begin transporting hazardous products around the UK and Europe.

Newton Aycliffe-based distribution service Stiller has joined the Hazchem Network, enabling the family-run company to transport hazardous materials and difficult-to-handle products throughout Europe.

The firm, which has invested £11m in the last four years including the opening of a £2m freight distribution centre at its 22-acre site at Aycliffe Business Park last year, anticipates that the deal will be worth £500k a year initially and create new jobs.

Commercial manager Lizzie Brophy said: “This is a big deal for us which will expand our capabilities and offering to existing and new customers.

“We hope it will open up new business opportunities for us, particularly in the Wilton and Haverton Hill areas of Teesside. There are quite a few reputable coatings businesses that we would seek to support with this new service.

“It will create between three and five new driving jobs and we’ve also spent more than 200 hours on training for staff, while we’ve also employed a new health, safety and security manager to help support the complex requirements that being a Hazchem member will involve.”

Hazchem Network director Nada Marinovic added: “We’re very proud to be associated with Stiller.

“Our intention is to continue to expand the business and to bring on board more companies that have the pedigree and ethos that Stiller bring with them.”