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Based in Widnes, Suttons employs more than 1,000 people in the UK and in Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Brazil and the US. It has also just acquired German-based VTG Tanktainer.
The family-run business, which was founded in 1926 and provides tank container and road tanker services for clients in the chemical, gas, and fuel sectors, has invested £2m from a funding package from Lombard to upgrade its technology.
This includes the deployment of telematics and technology from Microlise which will be installed across its fleet of 1,350 tractor units, road tankers and trailers. This has enabled Suttons to manage its fleet more effectively through vehicle tracking and utilisation reporting, as well as managing driver performance.
The business will also use the technology to improve driver communication through the implementation of sign-on-glass and image capture across the vehicles, all provided through the installation of Samsung tablets in the cabs.
As well as adopting Microlise software and devices, Suttons has upgraded its servers and endpoint technology across the business which has enhanced the ability of staff to work efficiently from home or the office.
The remaining £4m of funding has been used to support the purchase of trailers and tanks to fulfil a pipeline of new business opportunities secured by the group.
Keith Broom, group finance director, said:
“This year marks an important milestone in the future of Suttons as we seek new opportunities across the globe and accelerate our digital-first approach.
“The funding from Lombard has allowed us to roll-out new technologies that will streamline day-to-day processes, enabling us to concentrate on other priorities including upskilling our staff and seeking new business opportunities.
“Our long-standing relationship with Joanne McCumesky Brown and the advice from Lombard’s tech specialists were crucial to attaining the financial flexibility required to make these changes.”
Joanne McCumesky Brown, corporate senior relationship manager at Lombard, added:
“Having worked with Suttons Group for more than 10 years, we know the business inside-out and through this foundation we are proud to have enabled the next chapter of their growth.
“Taking the time to build and future-proof our relationship with customers is engrained into Lombard’s identity as we understand how critical it is for firms to secure funding packages that align with their individual goals.”