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Driving the future: Welcoming our new generation of talent

Logistics is often misunderstood and associated with outdated stereotypes, but through our apprenticeship programmes, we are reshaping these perceptions and introducing young talent to the industry’s diverse and rewarding opportunities.

These apprenticeships, spanning operations, finance, and HR, provide the next generation with invaluable hands-on experience in a dynamic and vital industry that plays a key role in global commerce.

With a significant portion of supply chain professionals approaching retirement age, attracting young talent is crucial to maintaining the industry’s vitality. Companies must take proactive steps to redefine logistics for young people, showcasing its integral role in globalisation, multiculturalism, and environmental sustainability.

In a world where millennials and Gen Z are passionate about global connectivity and climate action, the logistics sector holds a unique position as a key player in both areas. Highlighting the industry’s contributions to reducing carbon footprints and facilitating cross-border collaboration should entice young people who are eager to make a meaningful impact on the world.

At Metro, we are doing exactly that by actively welcoming the next generation of logistics professionals through our apprenticeship programmes. This week, we proudly welcomed our latest cohort of apprentices, reaffirming our commitment to nurturing fresh talent and bringing innovative ideas into the sector.

While the logistics industry can be challenging, with its fast-paced environment and demanding roles, the rewards are substantial. From the chance to travel and experience different cultures, to collaborating with industry leaders on cutting-edge technologies, logistics offers unparalleled opportunities for personal and professional growth. The global market, predicted to reach $13.7 trillion by 2027, is brimming with potential for those who are ready to take on new challenges and drive the future of commerce.

By embracing and supporting young talents, we’re not only addressing the need for a new workforce but also shaping the future of the logistics industry.

As we continue to invest in apprenticeships and create a thriving workplace for these future leaders, we are confident that their fresh perspectives will help propel the industry forward into an exciting and innovative future.

If you, or someone you know, would like to work with a progressive colleague-focused business, please EMAIL Paul Moss a CV, with covering letter.

Metro cycling team

Metro support JCB’s ambitious fundraising campaign for NSPCC

JCB, a longstanding Metro customer, has embarked on its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date, aiming to raise £2 million for the NSPCC by 2025, when JCB celebrates its 80th anniversary and 40 years of support for the charity.

A JCB spokesperson commented on the campaign, “The NSPCC’s work safeguards over a million children through its school programmes, national helplines, and specialist centres, and the support JCB offer to the NSPCC makes a tangible difference to children in our communities.”

The appeal has already seen a variety of fundraising activities, including Fun Runs, a Three Peaks challenge, a bake-off competition, and a football tournament.

Inspired by JCB’s fundraising Sportive cycling event, members of the Metro team contributed to the cause by cycling 50 miles over the Bank Holiday weekend, raising an impressive £15,000.

We extend our sincere thanks to all who donated and supported the Metro team. The event was a great success.

JCB expressed their gratitude, stating, “Just wanted to give your guys a significant shout out for the efforts and commitment on Sunday’s mammoth bike ride. Firstly, Metro are thanked for joining up with JCB’s fund raising appeal for the NSPCC. Not only are your teams and sponsors making a huge difference to our target but importantly to the many children who will benefit from this fantastic charity.”

If you would still like to donate, it is not too late and our collection page is still open!

JCB NSPCC Fundraiser (collectionpot.com)

Anything you can give will be greatly appreciated!

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IT platform developments: Enhancing customer experience

We are committed to continuously improving the services we deliver to our customers, with significant IT developments, which will give them greater visibility, faster access to critical information, and a more seamless experience in managing their supply chains.

Our current roadmap focuses on enhancing our customer-facing platform, MVT, which serves as the backbone of customer visibility into their supply chains. By prioritising agility, integration, and data-driven insights, we aim to create a more seamless and efficient experience for our customers.

Agility and efficiency
To ensure our systems remain adaptable and ready for the future, we have moved from a single, all-in-one system to a more flexible, modular approach. This change allows us to update and improve specific parts of our platform quicker, making it easier to respond to customer needs and industry changes. It also sets the foundation for growth, ensuring our platform can continue to evolve as customer demands and technology progress.

Integration and collaboration
We are focused on ensuring seamless integration between our core operating system, third-party applications, customer systems, and our MVT platform. This integration provides a unified view of the supply chain, allowing customers to collaborate more effectively and make faster, better-informed decisions.

Data-driven insights
Data is at the heart of our strategy. We have invested heavily in improving our data infrastructure to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance across all data assets. These enhancements allow us to transform raw data into actionable insights, empowering customers with advanced reporting and analytics.

Looking ahead
Looking ahead, our future development pipeline includes the launch of several new applications designed to further enhance customer interaction and data accessibility, including the integration of in-App reporting and analytics.

In September, we will hold our annual Blue Sky Thinking Development Day, where we will define the roadmap for 2025 and beyond. The core focus will be on identifying key supply chain challenges and translating them into technical solutions that enhance the capabilities of our existing MVT application, delivering even greater customer value..

As we roll out these updates and continue to build upon our platform, we are confident that these advancements will significantly enhance the value we deliver to our customers.

Key application developments

Application | Upgrade | Status

MVT Portal | Enhanced user interface | Now Live
Track & Trace | Upgraded with new features | Now Live
POMs (Customer) | Fully migrated to new technology stack | Now Live
POMs Notifications | Brand new application | Now Live
ECO Part 1 | Refreshed design and functionality | Now Live
POMs (Supplier) | Transitioning to advanced technology | Launching October
DCM | Revamped with new internal tools | Launching September
EBSA | New technology with enhanced features | Launching December
Booking App | Introducing a new application | Launching January
Digital Customer Tariff App | New digital solution | Pending
ECO Part 2 | Powerful new data insights tool | Pending

For further information on how our technology platforms can help enhance and simplify your supply chain EMAIL Ian Powell, Customer and Technical Solutions Director.

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Metro expands Great Place to Work Certification globally

Metro has reached a significant milestone by extending its Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification to its Chennai office, reflecting the hard work and dedication of the Metro India team and affirming the company’s commitment to creating a supportive and fulfilling work environment across all its offices worldwide.

The Great Place to Work certification is a globally recognised symbol of excellence. Awarded to companies that excel in providing a positive employee experience, it is based on anonymous employee feedback and a rigorous audit of workplace practices, which ensures that only companies truly committed to fostering a great work culture achieve accreditation.

In the recent audit, Metro received impressive feedback from its employees, with 93% affirming that Metro is a great place to work. Further highlights include 95% of employees stating that they felt welcomed upon joining the company, 97% expressing pride in telling others they work for Metro, and 96% commending management for their clear vision and ethical business practices.

Metro’s Managing Director, Grant Liddell, praised the achievement, saying, “This is another important milestone for Metro, becoming the employer of choice in our industry in both the UK and India. I am personally delighted to know that my colleagues enjoy our work culture, feel safe, valued, and treated fairly.”

Grant also highlighted the certification’s role in attracting top talent globally, giving Metro’s HR team a recruiting advantage with a research-backed verification of the company’s positive employee experience.

The GPTW certification not only helps Metro recruit top-tier talent, it builds pride among employees and places Metro in a community of other great workplaces, sharing insights and practices that help strengthen its work culture even further.

As Metro continues to expand globally, this recognition as a Great Place to Work further solidifies its position as a leader in the logistics and supply chain industry. The company’s dedication to creating a supportive, ethical, and engaging workplace ensures that it remains competitive in attracting and retaining the best talent worldwide.

If you, or someone you know, would like to work with a progressive colleague-focused business, please EMAIL Paul Moss a CV, with covering letter.