Expect is supporting fellow Bradford-based business Powersheds as the garden building brand continues its expansion into the Irish market.

The partnership sees Expect provide the logistics capability required to deliver Powersheds’ growing range of sheds and garden buildings to customers across Ireland, helping the business establish the infrastructure it needs to grow in a new market.

As part of the next stage of the partnership, Expect is also launching a fleet of delivery vehicles featuring Powersheds branding – a visible representation of the close relationship between the two Yorkshire businesses.

Supporting growth across Ireland

Powersheds recently expanded its presence in Ireland through a new retail partnership with B&Q Ireland, alongside its existing direct-to-consumer proposition. Further major retail partnerships are expected to follow.

Powersheds launched in 2019 with a mission to simplify the garden building market, developing products that are easier to manufacture, stock, purchase, deliver and build. The business has since grown into a leading brand in the sector, with partnerships including Travis Perkins and B&Q Ireland.

Ireland represents an important growth opportunity for Powersheds. Changes to planning rules have made it easier for homeowners to create additional garden space, with detached garden structures of up to 30m² now able to be built without planning permission, subject to conditions.

For Expect, supporting Powersheds’ expansion into Ireland builds on an established relationship between the two businesses.

A partnership built around growth

Jack Sutcliffe, CEO and co-founder of Powersheds, said:

“Ireland is becoming a really exciting market for Powersheds, and we see a huge opportunity to grow there over the years. Getting the logistics right is a huge part of making that possible.

“Our products are large and heavy, so getting them from our Yorkshire factory to customers in Ireland requires a logistics partner we can rely on. Expect have become a fantastic partner for us, taking the time to understand our business, products and ambitions.”

At Expect, the relationship has developed as Powersheds’ requirements have evolved, with both teams working closely to develop logistics solutions that support the business as it enters new markets.

Andy Taylor, Operations Director at Expecte, said:

“Powersheds is a great Yorkshire growth story, and we’re delighted to be playing a part in the company’s continued expansion.

“Our relationship has developed into a genuine partnership. As Powersheds has grown and entered new markets, we’ve worked closely with their team to understand and adapt as their business has evolved, developing bespoke solutions to support the growth of their business.

“Supporting deliveries into Ireland is an exciting next step and we’re looking forward to helping Powersheds build its presence there. The Powersheds-branded trailers are also a fantastic visual representation of the relationship between our two businesses and we’re proud to have them out on the road.”

The partnership demonstrates how Expect works alongside growing businesses to develop flexible logistics solutions that can adapt as their operations, customer base and markets evolve.

I think this format would work particularly well as an Expect website news article, especially with a strong image of the Powersheds-branded trailers near the top and potentially a secondary image of Powersheds products or the team.

Expect Distribution is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Bradford Bulls, continuing as the club’s season-long match ball sponsor for the 2026 season.

Having first partnered with the Bulls in 2024, Expect Distribution has become a familiar and popular presence on matchdays. One of the highlights of the partnership has been the now fan-favourite tradition of Expect’s iconic truck, Ernie, delivering the match ball ahead of kick-off, a moment that has quickly become part of the Bulls’ matchday identity.

With Bradford Bulls returning to the Super League in 2026, the renewal marks an exciting next chapter for both organisations, building on a relationship rooted in shared values, community pride and ambition.

Ian Stafford, Bradford Bulls Commercial Manager (sponsored by La Romantica Beds), commented:

“Expect Distribution have been a fantastic partner for the Bulls, and we’re thrilled to have them on board again for the 2026 season. Their match ball sponsorship, highlighted by Ernie’s pre-game delivery, has added something truly unique to our matchday experience. With the Bulls back in the Super League, we’re excited to continue this partnership and look forward to achieving great things together.”

Bob Duffy, Commercial Director at Expect Distribution, added:

“Expect Distribution are proud to be extending our sponsorship with Bradford Bulls for a third consecutive year. Our partnership continues to go from strength to strength, and it’s fantastic to see the Bulls rewarded with promotion to the Super League this season. The club’s spirit, determination and connection with its supporters align closely with our own values, culture and ambitions, and we are excited to be part of the next chapter of their journey.”

The partnership reflects Expect Distribution’s ongoing commitment to supporting local sport, community engagement and organisations that share its passion for excellence, teamwork and growth.

Expect Distribution has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Amy Russell as HR Director and Board Director, effective 1 January 2026.

Amy’s promotion reflects her consistently strong performance since joining Expect in February 2024 and underlines the Group’s commitment to placing people and culture at the heart of its growth strategy. With her appointment, Expect Distribution’s Board now comprises five members, including four executive directors and one non-executive director.

Since joining the business, Amy has played a pivotal role in designing and delivering a people strategy that supports Expect’s continued expansion across the UK. Her responsibilities have included leading strategic initiatives across talent and learning, reward and benefits, organisational design, workforce planning and employee engagement, as well as overseeing HR systems and platforms that enhance both operational efficiency and colleague experience.

Amy has also been instrumental in driving change projects and implementing new technologies, ensuring the HR function continues to evolve in line with the needs of a growing, multi-site logistics operation.

As a Board Director, Amy will retain her existing HR responsibilities while taking on a broader role in shaping Expect Distribution’s wider business strategy. Her focus will include ensuring that growth remains aligned with Expect’s values-led culture, while continuing to develop the organisation as an employer of choice within the logistics sector.

Commenting on her appointment, Amy Russell said:

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Board and contributing to shaping the future of Expect. My excitement is two-fold.

Firstly, I’m committed to driving our group strategy forward, ensuring we continue to stand out as a progressive, forward-thinking logistics business. Keeping our people strategy and employee experience aligned with that ambition is a real priority for me.

Secondly, I’m looking forward to broadening my impact beyond HR. With experience leading large-scale transformation projects and a strong foundation in marketing from my early career, I’m excited to help shape Expect’s future.

I’m incredibly passionate about our business and our people, and I feel privileged to play a part in steering our journey ahead.”

Amy brings extensive experience across logistics, supply chain and technology-led businesses. Her career includes senior HR roles at RAM Tracking, Walkers Transport, and GXO Logistics, where she led HR, talent and learning strategies across large-scale UK and international operations, including work on high-profile retail contracts and global development programmes.

Matthew Kilner, Group Co-owner and Managing Director, commented:

“Amy’s appointment is thoroughly deserved. Her strategic approach, pace and ownership have already made a significant impact across the business.

She has led a number of high-quality initiatives that support both our operational goals and our people, and her direct input at Board level will further strengthen Expect Distribution as a leading logistics provider and employer.”

Amy holds a first-class honours degree in Enterprise Development and Business Studies from the University of Huddersfield and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), with additional professional qualifications across talent management, leadership development and marketing.

Her promotion marks another important step in Expect Distribution’s continued growth and reinforces the Group’s belief that investing in people is fundamental to long-term success.

Expect Distribution would like to let all customers know our Christmas opening hours and service availability over the festive period.

We’ll continue to provide a full collection and delivery service across the Christmas and New Year period, in line with customer requirements.

Please Note :- Collections required on the 27th & 30th December must be input before 12pm the working day prior to guarantee collection. Please see full stipulations on following page.

Warehousing Hours

As we look ahead to 2026, we’d like to thank all our customers, colleagues, partners and suppliers for your continued support throughout 2025. Here’s to new opportunities, strong partnerships, and shared success in 2026.

316 million seconds, 5.26 million minutes, 87,648 hours… and about 12.25% of the average person’s life expectancy.  It’s safe to say that ten years is a long time… especially working in Transport where a bad ten minutes can feel like ten years!  In all seriousness it’s a great milestone which I’m really proud of and we thought it would be good to look back on where the business was, what’s happened over the last decade and  what I am and we are hoping for in the years ahead of us…

When I first got to know of the opportunity to join Expect in the Summer of July 2015, my Wife and I had had our eldest Daughter at the start of 2015 and I had got pretty fed up of living out of a suitcase – my previous role entailed travelling across the UK and into Europe.  When I first met Neil, and then Bob and Steve also,  I got a really good feeling about them and the business during the interview process.  At the time it felt like the business had outgrown itself and had had some challenges, including closing down the two-man operation and saying farewell to it’s previous Operations Director earlier in 2015.   Between me agreeing to join the business and me starting, the Operations Manager who looked after General Distribution and the Head of Contract Logistics had both elected to leave the business… which made for an interesting start to life at Expect!

All that said, once I joined it was about cracking on with overcoming the challenges which we did… slowly but surely.  One of my warmest memories was Bob Rushworth telling me “it’s a Marathon not a Sprint, there’s lots to do but just concentrate on delivering one thing at a time but do it right” – sound advice and a phrase I still use with new colleagues joining the business to this day.

At the time I joined the business in 2015, turnover was £21m with around 14000 pallet spaces in the Warehousing Division and 15 vehicles in the Contract Logistics Division.  Fast forward to today, turnover is around £80m, we have around 65000 pallet spaces in the Warehousing Division and 50 vehicles in the Contract Logistics Division… and we’ve won plenty of Awards including Motor Transport Awards Haulier of the Year twice! That said, we certainly don’t see it as ‘job done’ – in fact quite the opposite, we believe we are still only getting started and have much more opportunity in front of us looking to the future…  However, it’s not all about the numbers and not all about me – the success of the business has been about the great people we are fortunate to have in the business today and those in the past that have also been part of the journey.

There are plenty of funny stories over the last ten years that I’ll save for discussing over a coffee or a beer… but again those funny stories are thanks to the fantastic people we’ve had in the business.

During the journey there have been plenty of challenges (to put it mildly!) and there have been plenty of things I’ve and we’ve got wrong along the way.   However I’ve always cared more than anything about doing what is right for the business and have always tried to do what I believed was the right thing at every moment… and I’m not sure that anyone can do any more than that.

In late 2021, myself and Matt completed the Management Buy Out of the business.  It had been many years in the making and not fully straightforward.  However I often say that once we had started down the path, it was the only possible outcome and ultimately the right outcome for everyone involved with the business then, now and in the future.

Looking to the future, the only thing certain is that the future is going to be uncertain.  The world is changing at an ever-faster pace and I’m not sure anyone can  say exactly what the world will look like in another ten years’ time.  In particular, Artificial Intelligence, Climate change and Global economic challenges will shape how the future looks for us… although we don’t know how yet!  These factors are predictable but what we saw Covid-19 come out of nowhere in 2020/21 to transform the world almost overnight.  However, we all as people and Expect Distribution as a business responded quickly and showed enormous resilience to adapt, adjust and ultimately overcome the challenges and move forward.  As such, I am as confident as I can be that we will prevail whatever the future holds for us.   

Thank you in closing to everyone that has contributed so much to the business yesterday, today and tomorrow and here is to the next ten years ahead of us… Onwards!

Expect Distribution Achieves BRCGS Accreditation Across Two Key Sites for 2025

Expect Distribution is proud to announce that both our Thornton Road and Woodlands sites have achieved BRCGS Accreditation for 2025, further strengthening our commitment to excellence, quality, and compliance across our warehousing and logistics operations.

This industry-recognised certification demonstrates the high standards we maintain throughout our facilities, ensuring every process meets the globally benchmarked requirements for product safety, quality, and operational control.

Woodlands Site – Reaccredited for 2025

Our Woodlands facility successfully earned its BRCGS reaccreditation earlier this year, continuing its record of excellence. As the second largest and most established of our Bradford sites, Woodlands plays a central role in supporting our contract logistics and warehousing operations for clients across multiple sectors, including FMCG, pharmaceutical, retail, and manufacturing.

This reaccreditation reinforces the site’s reputation for maintaining exceptional standards in stock management, product traceability, and health and safety compliance.

Thornton Road – Achieving Accreditation for the First Time

In a major milestone for the business, our Thornton Road site achieved BRCGS Accreditation for the first time last month, following months of dedicated preparation, process improvement, and collaboration across teams.

This achievement demonstrates not only the site’s growth but also our consistent group-wide approach to operational excellence, ensuring the same level of quality and compliance across every Expect Distribution facility.

A Commitment to Quality and Continuous Improvement

At Expect Distribution, quality isn’t just a standard, it’s part of our culture. BRCGS certification is a testament to our teams’  hard work, attention to detail, and ongoing drive to deliver the very best for our customers.

Our BRCGS-accredited sites now provide clients with enhanced confidence in areas such as:

• Product integrity and safety
• Traceability throughout the supply chain
• Consistent quality management systems
• Compliance with the highest industry standards

Commercial Director Bob Duffy commented:

“Achieving and maintaining BRCGS accreditation across multiple sites is a reflection of the dedication, teamwork, and professionalism of our warehouse teams. It reinforces our position as a trusted logistics partner that operates to the very highest standards.”

We’re delighted to share that Expect Distribution has acquired Longs of Leeds, a well-established, family-led logistics business with strong Yorkshire roots.

This acquisition marks an important milestone in our continued growth journey, creating opportunities to expand our service offering, increase our operating territory, and deliver even greater benefits to customers across the UK.

This marks an exciting step forward in our growth journey and represents a natural fit for both businesses.

A Shared Heritage and Customer-Focused Culture

Much like Expect, Longs of Leeds has built its reputation on reliability, service excellence, and personal relationships. Their family-led approach and strong regional heritage align perfectly with our own culture and values, making this partnership feel like a natural fit.

Both organisations share a commitment to putting customers first, investing in people, and building long-term relationships. Together, we’ll be able to deliver even greater value for our customers, balancing our local roots with continued national growth.

What This Means for Our Customers

For customers of both Expect Distribution and Longs of Leeds, it’s very much business as usual.

Key advantages of this acquisition include:

• Expanded service offering across the region and nationally.
• Enhanced operating territory, strengthening our logistics network.
• Planned synergies and cost-saving initiatives that will improve efficiency for customers.
• The backing of Expect’s award-winning team, technology, and infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

This acquisition is not just about growth, it’s about creating opportunities for our customers, colleagues, and partners. Together, Expect Distribution and Longs of Leeds will continue to build long-term relationships, deliver talored logistics solutions, and set the standard for quality service in our industry.

We have taken another big step in our ambitious growth journey with the appointment of seasoned logistics expert, Stuart Birchley, as Business Development Manager.

Bringing over 25 years of transport and logistics experience, Stuart joins from New Horizon Distributions, where he served as Commercial Director. His impressive background includes key roles at TNT Express, Alan Firmin, WE Deane, and Uniserve, building a reputation for operational excellence, client-focused strategy, and business growth.

Stuart commented:

“The company’s ethos and ethics align closely with my own. With a diverse and growing service offering and the strength of Expect Distribution behind it, I believe Pallet Plus is only going from strength to strength.”

Since its acquisition by Expect Distribution in 2023, Pallet Plus has continued to scale up. Together, they utilise Expect’s national fleet and leading pallet networks, including TPN, Palletways, and UPN, to deliver consistent and cost-effective service nationwide.

Expect Group Commercial Director, Bob Duffy, added:

“It’s a coup to find someone like Stuart, operationally mature, commercially sharp and aligned with our culture. His arrival further cements our commitment to investing in the future of Pallet Plus.”

Stuart’s early goals focus on nurturing client relationships and targeting growth-oriented partnerships:

“I believe in knocking on doors and truly understanding what clients need. We’re not just a haulier, we aim to be the transport and logistics arm of our clients’ businesses.”

Pallet Plus Depot Principal Andrew Triolo concluded:

“Stuart is a fantastic addition to the team. His industry knowledge and expansive network will be a huge asset as we continue to grow.”

This appointment follows major investment in technology and fleet across the business, just one of the many ways Pallet Plus and Expect are building a smarter, stronger logistics future for their customers.

A Chat With Howard Gregory – Head of Warehousing at Expect Distribution

Howard Gregory joined Expect Distribution in January 2025, bringing with him a wealth of experience and leadership from some of the UK’s largest warehousing operations. From managing logistics for household names like Boots, Next, ASOS, and Premier Farnell, Howard’s background spans multiple industries including bulk industrial, pharmaceutical, fast fashion, and electronics. We sat down with him to hear about his journey so far and his ambitions for the future of warehousing at Expect.

Experience That Makes a Difference

You’ve managed some huge warehouse operations for household names—how has that experience shaped your approach to warehousing at Expect?

“Having worked with such a broad range of customers in the past, it offers me great insight into customer problems and enables me to offer solutions regardless of the sector.”

First Impressions & Growth Opportunities

What are your first impressions of the warehousing operations here, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for growth?

“I see the biggest opportunities for growth through good, sound operating practices and through our teamwork. I’ve been really impressed with how welcoming everyone at Expect has been.”

Operational Excellence & Well-being

How do you ensure high efficiency and service levels in a warehousing operation without compromising on quality or colleague well-being?

“For me it comes through facilitating customer growth, also through the acquisition of new customers, which we can offer due to our flexibility, through our three warehousing sites. Our speed and efficiency offer opportunities for growth.”

Colleague wellbeing and operational excellence often go hand in hand—how do you balance the two?

“First and foremost we have to ensure health and safety for all our colleagues, which I’m delighted to see Expect do, implemented from board level. We are able to offer a high level of efficiency and high service levels to our customers because we have a quality team that are very skilled. We also report on a live basis. We operate and train all colleagues to a high level and encourage them to stop and correct any issues rather than just carry on.”

Looking Ahead

What innovations or changes are you most excited to explore at Expect Distribution?

“I would like to explore the range of products we stock across our warehouses and identify opportunities to introduce new products and sectors to our largest warehouse. Also, developing our forecasting and financing module with the warehousing team, so everyone understands where we are as a business.”

What are your goals for the warehousing division in the next 12 months?

“I would like to see all operations up and running smoothly, and for us to have moved through the various peaks in our operations. I would also like to see the acquisition of new clients and more growth opportunities in certain expect channels via whatever method we can employ.”

How do you see customer expectations evolving in the warehousing and logistics space—and how will Expect stay ahead?

“Customer expectations are fairly standard, they want us to deliver on our obligations. Expect tries to offer more than the customer’s standard expectations and is quick to highlight any issues when we see them. We also have regular customer meetings to ensure we are meeting their needs, which helps us to move with them as they grow or change.”

Collaboration & Culture

Collaboration is key—how do you work with other departments to ensure seamless service for clients?

“It’s essential we work together as one team. Open communication and mutual respect between departments are key to delivering consistent service. I’m a big believer in cross-functional working to get things done more effectively.”

Getting to Know Howard

Outside of work, we hear you’re quite the creative! How did you get into oil painting, and what do you enjoy painting most?

“I found it a way to relax. I prefer to paint animals, my koi carp, my dog, any nature subjects really.”

You’ve got koi carp and a wildlife garden, that sounds peaceful! How do your hobbies help you unwind from the busy pace of logistics?

“The garden is large and full of beautiful wildlife which helps me relax and take me away from the moment. I’ve got a substantial collection of koi carp. I just enjoy being outside in the garden, it’s my own little oasis, almost like being on holiday in your own garden.”

If you could describe your leadership style in three words, what would they be?

“Open, honest, and fair.”

As we approach the Easter Holidays we would like to confirm our updated opening hours and service availability over the holiday period:

Thursday 17th April
Warehousing: Normal Working Hours
Transport: Normal Working Hours
Deliveries/Collections: Standard

Friday 18th
CLOSED
Services available by arrangement only

Sunday 20th April
Thornton Road Warehouse operating 06:00–16:00 by customer request
Transport & Deliveries: CLOSED

Monday 21st April
CLOSED
Services available by arrangement only

Tuesday 22nd April
Back to Normal Working Hours across all departments

If you would like any collections or deliveries on the Bank Holiday days please contact us ASAP so we can check/plan availability and quote on these jobs before confirming.

Wishing you an enjoyable Easter! Thank you for choosing Expect Distribution, we truly value your continued support and partnership.