The Hut Group partners with Singapore Airlines and unveils plans to launch THG Air
The Hut Group has embarked on a partnership with Singapore Airlines as it looks to secure its international supply chain and product delivery across the Asia region.
The group said the move has been made in response to both the current disruption across the airline industry due to covid-19, and its international sales growth. It will also remove THG’s reliance on scheduled passenger services as it will be chartering a series of more than 100 flights with the airline.
Since the start of 2020, THG has been running successful trials using dedicated cargo flights to service its global operations, especially those in Asia. The group said this has given it the confidence to embark on a partnership with Singapore Airlines and to go one step further with the launch of THG Air.
By the end of October, THG Air will have two of its own cargo planes live branded with the THG Air livery operating out of Manchester Airport.
Additionally, THG Air will form a key part of the THG Ingenuity Service Offering for clients seeking market access in the Asia region.
THG has also been expanding its distribution centre network in recent months with the opening of three new centres in the US, one in Singapore and one in India. A further six overseas distribution centres are planned before the end of the year.
Matthew Moulding, founder and chief executive of THG, said: “The recent disruption across the airline industry has brought huge challenges in the movement of goods across the globe. This led us to accelerate our trials for dedicated cargo planes to link together our own global manufacturing and distribution centres. These trials have proved a great success, resulting in today’s partnership with Singapore Airlines.
“The partnership places us in the strong position of having secured routes from UK to Asia for the foreseeable future, enabling us to keep our supply chain moving and delivering goods – including essential items such as vitamins, personal care and hygiene products.“
