Gloucestershire kitchenware brand Procook has agreed a major deal with logistics giant DHL in what it says will support the next phase of its UK growth. The partnership, announced today, marks the first time in Procook's 30-year history that it has partnered with a top-tier third-party logistics provider.
DHL takes over Gloucester distribution centre
Under the terms of the agreement, DHL has assumed responsibility for operating Procook's 167,000 sqft distribution centre in Gloucester, managing both retail and e-commerce fulfilment activities. The move is designed to deliver "greater operational efficiency, flexibility and scalability" as Procook continues to expand across the UK.
Lee Tappenden, chief executive at Procook, said: "This partnership is an important milestone for Procook. As we continue to grow, we wanted a logistics partner with the expertise, scale and capability to support our ambitions. DHL Supply Chain's experience across retail and e-commerce logistics will help us build a more efficient and scalable operation, while maintaining the high standards of service our customers expect."
Joint improvement programme in the works
Over the coming months, Procook and DHL will deliver a joint improvement programme focused on boosting operational performance and future capacity. The programme will involve using DHL technology, including a new warehouse management system, which will be implemented during the first half of 2027.
Spencer Conday, managing director, retail and ecommerce, DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said: "We are delighted to partner with Procook and support the next stage of its growth. The successful transition of the Gloucester operation is a testament to the close collaboration between our teams. We are particularly pleased to welcome Procook's colleagues into DHL and look forward to supporting their development as part of our business. We look forward to helping Procook deliver greater efficiency, flexibility and long-term growth."
Strong financial performance continues
In April, Procook reported a 19.2% rise in revenue to £18.5 million for the 12 weeks ending March, driven by strong sales both online and in stores. The company told investors that it had "outperformed" the UK kitchenware market by more than 13 percentage points during the fourth quarter, and by more than 20% across the full financial year.
The partnership with DHL is expected to further accelerate this growth by enabling Procook to scale its operations more effectively. The company has been expanding its store estate, including recent openings at Westfield shopping centres in London, as part of a broader strategy to capture a larger share of the UK kitchenware market.
Strategic move for long-term growth
Analysts view the deal as a strategic step for Procook to strengthen its supply chain capabilities ahead of further expansion. By outsourcing logistics to DHL, Procook can focus on its core retail and product development activities while leveraging DHL's expertise in handling high-volume e-commerce orders.
The transition of the Gloucester facility to DHL is already underway, with Procook's existing distribution centre staff being integrated into DHL's workforce. This ensures continuity of operations and provides employees with new development opportunities within a global logistics organisation.
