Leading European supply chain solutions company appoints Vanco to deliver and manage MPLS-core network Wincanton, a major pan-European provider of supply chain solutions, has selected Vanco, the leading global Virtual Network Operator (VNO), to design, implement and manage its Wide Area Network (WAN) in a deal worth up to GBP5.8 million over 3 years.

Vanco will deliver the solution across 357 Wincanton sites in eleven European countries. However, the Vanco VNO model will enable Wincanton to quickly and efficiently adjust the geographic scope of the network according to changing business requirements - a key advantage in the dynamic logistics industry - through Vanco`s unique Active Negotiating Process (ANP).

The technical solution employed utilises an MPLS core to provide the resilience and bandwidth demanded by those applications critical to operations, supported by Internet VPN and Private DSL technologies, with a mixture of Leased Line and DSL Access. ISDN and DSL technology is then employed to ensure robust backup. Vanco`s ANP will also enable Wincanton to review this technology solution on a yearly basis, with the option to upgrade technology and/or benefit from falling bandwidth prices in the telecoms market.

Wincanton is the 8th major logistics company to move to the VNO approach, all through Vanco. Vanco`s UK Managing Director, Mark Thompson, comments, ``Companies in this industry, especially major players like Wincanton, are typically multinational, with hundreds of sites and business-critical network requirements. The VNO approach is therefore perfectly suited to their needs, with a high quality service-orientated approach and the opportunity to make huge cost savings over the lifetime of the contract.``

Steve Bass, IT Director at Wincanton, explains, ``Vanco`s unique business model will allow us to benefit from the simplicity of a single service provider across all of our sites, while providing the most cost-competitive and flexible solution throughout the relationship.``

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Vanco

Established in 1988, Vanco plc (FTSE: VAN) is the leading global Virtual Network Operator. With solutions available in 230 countries and territories, Vanco is selected by the world`s largest organisations to provide strategic network solutions. Its customers include Siemens, IBM/Lloyds TSB, Avis Europe, Virgin Retail, Ford Motor Company, Pilkington, RMC Group and Smith & Nephew.

Through the Vanco network solution customers get access to the greatest geographic coverage available through a single provider. Vanco offers incomparable flexibility to customise and adapt the solution in line with market changes and business priorities.

Vanco is recognised by the industry for its financial success and world class customer service delivery. A significant proportion of its investment capital goes into customer care which is reflected by the awards won, independent market research and customer retention.

About Wincanton

Wincanton is a leading provider of supply chain solutions and ranks third in Europe and second in the UK. It designs, implements and operates creative solutions for rigorous and frequently complex customer demands in 15 countries. The business has a turnover of over euro2.5bn / GBP1.4bn and employs 25,000 staff across 360 locations.

The business is built on long-term partnerships with customers in a broad range of industries. Wincanton provides substantial customer benefits in improved efficiencies and cost savings. Customers include many of the biggest global names in sectors that include automotive, FMCG, retail, petrochemical and manufacturers of all types.

Warehousing solutions are tailored to requirements on a dedicated, shared-user or networked basis. Transport is provided utilising road, rail, air and water-based systems. Specialist added value services include reverse supply chain programmes, recycling operations, 4PL, data records management and supply chain consultancy. Further information on Wincanton`s unique achievements and competencies can be found by visiting www.wincanton.co.uk.

CONTACT: Michael Piddock, Vanco Tel: +44 (0)20 8636 1721 e-mail: michael.piddock@vanco.co.uk Claire Dell, Pleon Tel: +44 (0)20 7298 7046 e-mail: claire.dell@pleon.com