British field service and electronic lockers delivery company ByBox has acquired echo, a UKspecialist in technical and logistical support services, to improve its end-to-end supply chain
solutions.Echo offers a seamless service on a variable cost basis benefiting its customers includingblue chip companies such as Fujitsu, IBM, Getronics and Unisys amongst others.
ByBox previously acquired two companies in the sector including Newcotech acquisition in2010 and the recent takeover of PPR Solutions. These acquisitions led to the creation of the ByBoxTech Services Division.
Through the new unit, the company is able to offer a complete end-to-end solution 365 days ayear. This includes sourcing parts, warehousing, distribution, simple swap outs and non-intensiveinstallations through to a bespoke high-end engineering solution for more complex tasks includingmanaging the repair loop and returning items back to good stock.
Mark Garritt, Managing Director, ByBox, commented: “We have long admired echo for providinghigh quality field based technical services and consider them to be the benchmark for outsourceproviders within the marketplace.” He added, however, that providing this high level of service isexpensive and customers either need to pay a premium or the business needs to be integrated into avolume player.
“Given current market conditions and the pricing pressures on our customers, charging apremium is not an option. We therefore believe that joining forces with echo will help us tocontinue to deliver outstanding service levels at competitive rates,” he said.
Technical services have become one of the fastest-growing activities of ByBox with a networkof more than 18,000 lockers at 1,500 locations in the UK. Thanks to its own software platform thatgives complete visibility of the supply chain at all times, ByBox network provides delivery before8 am at a rate of 99.77 per cent with blue chip customers including Coca Cola, Fujitsu,Computacenter and Konica Minolta.
Echo’s established partnership solution provides a seamless integration with customers’processes ensuring high service levels supported by Service Level Agreements. The company wasfounded in 1995 with its head office and logistical centre based in Milton Keynes.
