A HIGH-profile company in the south has been made UK Logistics Company of the Year.

The Institute of Transport Management has handed the accolade to Meachers Group Holdings Ltd, which has a base in Southampton.

The Group, consisting of Meachers Transport and Warehousing, KL Commercials and Oast Agencies, is being presented with the award for its customer service, marketing, project management and investment policies at a special award ceremony being held at the Cafe Royal, London, later this month.

It is the third occasion that Meachers Group Holdings has achieved honours from the ITM.

ITM's media & PR director, Patrick Sheedy, said: "Meachers Group Holdings faced extremely strong competition from other logistics companies, and we feel that the fact that this accreditation has been awarded to the Meachers Group is a major tribute to their organisation."

The decision to award the prestigious title to the Meachers Group comes in the wake of extensive research and selection carried out by the ITM through its 17,000 membership.

The management of the companies interviewed cited Meachers' outstanding customer service and excellent reputation as the reasons for nominating the company.

Bob Terris, managing director of Meachers Group Holdings, said: "This award is particularly meaningful as it comes from the ITM's membership. "The fact that we received their nomination is extremely gratifying and shows that our endeavours to provide our customers with innovation, investment, quality and service is recognised within the industry." Operating from Southampton and Derby together with a service depot operated by KL Commercials at Pimperne, Dorset, the company offers a full range of services including distribution, warehousing, freight forwarding and commercial vehicle parts and service.

Founded for over fifty years, the group has a workforce in excess of 250 and operates a fleet of nearly 100 vehicles in addition to managing in excess of 400,000 sq.-ft of warehousing.