Case Study – CPi Books
Background:
CPi Books is the number one book printer in Europe, employing 3,000 people in 7 different countries. They are committed to providing premium standards of service and outstanding quality – no matter what the size or particular needs of their customers’ business. CPI employees combine craftsmanship with cutting-edge technical know-how and a real willingness to adapt to our customers’ specific needs.
From their Croydon production site, the Company print and distribute books both between finishing depots across the South and to client sites upon completion.
Whilst the Company has regular inter-depot collections & deliveries, it also has a large volume of same day business, daily.

Same day transportation
Improved customer service
Eliminated duplicated journeys
Total transport solution
The Request:
Previously, transport requirements to service the business were performed by a small team of in-house drivers who ran deliveries around London and a list of couriers & hauliers appointed as needed by CPi customer service representatives.
CPi approached us to come up with a total transport solution to improve the efficiency of transportation through load consolidation and also reduce the time spent by staff on booking & co-coordinating transport.
The Solution:
Through careful analysis of the Company’s requirements, PF Whitehead were able to identify core daily runs across the Group and deliver a structured ‘timetable’ of vehicle runs to deliver those requirements.
In addition, PF Whitehead were able to provide a central point of contact within CPi to receive, consolidate and organise their combined ‘same day’ transportation requirements, thus freeing up valuable time for staff and ensuring maximum efficiency across the group.
By handling all requirements through one central point of contact, PF Whitehead have eliminated wasted or duplicated journeys and have vastly reduced the usage of external couriers. This facility also ensures that all requests are logged, approved and tracked providing useful KPI reporting for continuous improvement.


CPI needed to address a number of transport inefficiencies across its key Croydon-based facilities; naturally, we turned to our existing partner PF Whitehead, who already had a proven track record of high service. Through careful analysis of the Company’s requirements, they were able to identify core daily runs across the sites & deliver a structured timetable which has freed up valuable time for staff and ensures maximum efficiency across the group. In addition, service levels to customers have improved as a result of greater control.
| Ian Browning-Smith |
Chief Operating Officer, CPI UK


How we work
We pride ourselves on providing a bespoke, personal service, combining traditional values with up to the minute technology and we spend time gaining a strong understanding of our customers’ business in order to deliver a tailored solution that’s right for them.
Working with PF Whitehead gives you all the benefits of a major logistics organisation, with the personal attention we can guarantee as an independent provider.