What Howard Tenens does

Howard Tenens is a privately-owned, family-run third-party logistics (3PL) provider headquartered in Stroud, United Kingdom, operating continuously since its founding in 1953 by Peter Morris. The company delivers contract logistics, dedicated distribution, and specialist project services across a UK-wide network of 23 depot locations spanning more than 4.4 million square feet of warehousing and a fleet of 200+ vehicles supported by approximately 720 employees. Its customer base is concentrated in enterprise accounts across the Retail/FMCG, Food & Drink, Automotive, Pet Care, and Home Appliances sectors, with multi-year dedicated partnerships including Toolstation (13+ years), De'Longhi Group (7-year contract at Lutterworth), Mars Petcare and Mars Food UK (multi-site co-location), Williams & Co (through-the-night network servicing 38 branches), Costa Coffee, Mole Valley Farmers, and Beavertown Brewery.

The operating model is built on a technology stack of JDA Warehouse Management System, Enterprise Software Systems (ESS) Transport Management System with route and load optimisation, GPS fleet tracking, advanced EDI integration, and real-time track-and-trace visibility. Revenue is generated through bespoke multi-year managed services contracts priced per customer requirement, supplemented by a separately branded commercial property division (Howard Tenens Property) that monetises the freehold warehouse portfolio exceeding 4 million sq ft. The company holds sector-critical certifications including BRCGS AA and AA+ (food safety), UFAS (animal feed), FSA Level 5, Soil Association organic, ISO 45001:2018, EcoVadis Gold for five consecutive years, and nine consecutive RoSPA Gold Awards, which collectively serve as competitive moats in regulated verticals.

The go-to-market approach is enterprise field sales via direct customer engagement, site visits, and long-term partnership development, with new business sourced through dedicated phone lines, website enquiries, and presence at industry events such as Multimodal at the NEC. Strategic expansion in 2024-2025 has included the acquisition of a Bridgwater warehouse (120,000 sq ft) near M5 Junction 24, licensing as a customs broker, a 2022 Andover depot HVO fuel transition with Green Biofuels delivering 92% CO2e reduction, and a 2025 brand unification consolidating the Logistics and Property divisions. Sustainability credentials include £3M+ invested in environmental initiatives since 2013, solar PV infrastructure at seven freehold sites saving 200 tonnes of CO2 annually, and Planet Mark certification, positioning the business as a sustainability-differentiated mid-market UK 3PL.

Name

Howard Tenens

Legal name

Howard Tenens Limited

Website

https://tenens.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1953

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Third-Party Logistics Services

NAICS

Warehousing and Storage (493), Freight Transportation Arrangement (488510), Truck Transportation (484)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731)

akta.pro primary industry

E-commerce & Fulfillment Warehousing (Dedicated/Shared) (TLAIACAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Promotional Set-Up & Gift Pack Assembly (TLAIAFAJ), Secure / High-Value Warehousing (Cage/Vault/Controlled Access) (TLAIACAG)

Keywords

• Contract logistics services
• Third-party logistics
• Warehousing distribution
• Supply chain management
• Freight forwarding services

Headquarters

HQ city

Stroud

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices22 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Contract Logistics: Full-service contract logistics providing seamless supply chain solutions from order to delivery. Services include warehousing, inventory management, and integrated logistics operations tailored to customer requirements.
2. Distribution Services: Dedicated fleet of trucks and vans providing transportation and distribution services. Includes same-day, through-the-night delivery solutions and dedicated transport operations.
3. Specialist Projects: One-of-a-kind logistics projects solving unique supply chain challenges. Custom solutions designed for specific customer requirements.
4. Property/Rental: Commercial property portfolio offering warehouse space, office space, external storage, and commercial parking across UK sites. Over 4 million sq ft available.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Howard Tenens is a UK third-party logistics (3PL) provider delivering contract logistics, dedicated distribution, and specialist project logistics from a network of more than 23 depots totalling over 4.4 million sq ft of warehousing. Services include warehousing, inventory management, pick and pack, BRC-accredited food storage, customs-bonded facilities, through-the-night and same-day transport, international freight forwarding, and a commercial property rental portfolio.

Product overview

Howard Tenens is a quality-focused, independent family business delivering logistics and property solutions for over 70 years. The company operates as a third-party logistics (3PL) provider offering three core service lines: Contract Logistics (end-to-end supply chain management), Distribution (dedicated fleet transport with track and trace), and Projects (custom logistics solutions). These are supported by specialized capabilities including international/ customs brokerage services, liquid fuels logistics, and a commercial property portfolio spanning over 4 million sq ft across the UK. The company emphasizes technology-enabled operations through TMS (ESS) and WMS (JDA) systems, sustainability initiatives including solar-powered sites and HVO fuel adoption, and industry certifications across BRCGS, ISO 45001, EcoVadis, and RoSPA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Howard Tenens Property: Commercial property division offering warehouse space and property solutions
• Howard Tenens Logistics

Products and services

• Contract Logistics End-to-end supply chain solutions encompassing warehousing, inventory management, order processing, and distribution services tailored to customer requirements. Provided for enterprise customers across retail/FMCG, food and drink, automotive, and packaging sectors.
• Distribution Dedicated fleet of 200+ trucks and vans providing transport services with real-time track and trace capabilities, including through-the-night delivery options for time-sensitive shipments. Used by enterprise customers such as Toolstation (2,000+ cages per day) and Williams & Co (1,400+ nightly miles, 38-branch network).
• Projects Custom, one-of-a-kind logistics solutions for complex or non-standard requirements, challenging conventional approaches to solve unique supply chain problems. Targeted at customers with specialist handling, customs bonded storage, hazardous materials, or oversized goods needs.
• Property Portfolio Commercial property portfolio under Howard Tenens Property offering warehouse space, office space, external storage, and commercial parking across 12 UK freehold sites, including solar-powered facilities and over 4 million sq ft available.
• Licensed Customs Brokerage International trade services providing customs clearance capabilities for imports and exports, supporting customers with compliance and documentation requirements. Operates from Tilbury and London Gateway area with full customs brokerage licensing.
• International Services Global freight services including ocean freight, air freight, UK and European road transport, with onsite international teams supporting imports, exports, and customs clearance for enterprise customers.
• Warehousing Services Storage solutions including ambient and chilled environments, racked and bulk storage, repack facilities, fulfillment, pick and pack, cross-dock operations, and bonded customs facilities across multiple UK depots.
• Environmental & Sustainability Solutions ESG-compliant environmental services including carbon footprint reporting, renewable energy generation through solar panels at 7 freehold sites, HVO biofuel supply delivering 92% less CO2e emissions, and sustainability consulting aligned with EcoVadis Gold and Planet Mark certifications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 3% EcoVadis sustainability rating (97th percentile)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers18 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor, major and core.

• UKWA (UK Warehouse Association)minorOthers · 1 January 2023Active member and award recipient from UK Warehouse Association. Hosted UKWA South West Roadshow and received Logistics Service Provider of the Year award in 2023.
• Rugby for HeroesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2023Charity partnership supporting ex-military professionals through employment opportunities in logistics.
• Green Biofuels Ltd (GBF)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Supplier of GD+ HVO fuel delivering one million litres annually. ISCC certified and accredited under Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme. HVO sourced from waste oils and fats, enabling 92% less CO2e emissions than diesel.
• Childs FarmminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Donated products for humanitarian aid transport to Ukraine alongside Howard Tenens logistics capabilities.
• UPNminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Logistics partner for Ukraine humanitarian aid transport, donated goods for transportation.
• OrganixminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Donated products for Ukraine humanitarian aid transport alongside Howard Tenens logistics.
• Enterprise Software Systems (ESS)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2021Partnership for Transport Management System (TMS) providing route optimisation, load optimisation, web portals, business intelligence, and real-time tactical data boards. TMS replaced pre-existing solution managing complexities of varied customer base.
• Williams & CocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Through-the-night logistics solution for plumbing and heating merchant with 38-branch network across South East, Bristol, Manchester and Milton Keynes. Delivered zero damaged or missing items across 450+ routes. Later expanded to Regional Fulfilment Centres.
• Mole Valley FarmerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Agricultural supply business partnership. Joint commitment to carbon reduction with HVO fuel transition at Andover. Won Multimodal Partner of the Year award 2022. Mole Valley Farmers targeting carbon net zero by 2040.
• TransaidminorOthers · 1 January 2019Corporate partnership with international development organisation supporting professional driver training programmes, transport management systems, and rural access to transport in Sub-Saharan Africa. Renewed partnership in 2022.
• Planet MarkmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Sustainability certification partnership. Howard Tenens certified based on carbon emissions across operations. £3 million invested in environmental initiatives since 2013, with 200 tonnes CO2 saved annually through solar installations.
• ToolstationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 200911+ year strategic partnership delivering over 2,000 cages per day to Toolstation's branch network. Howard Tenens invested £3.5 million in vehicles, trailers and technology. Partnership enabled Toolstation to open ~60 trade counters annually. Achieved Logistics UK Partnership of the Year award in 2020/2021.

Scale indicators27 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Yusen Logistics: Yusen Logistics is a global contract logistics provider with a significant UK presence, particularly in automotive, retail, and consumer goods. Overlaps with Howard Tenens in automotive and retail/FMCG warehousing, dedicated transport, and UK-wide depot operations.
• GXO Logistics: GXO is the world's largest pure-play contract logistics provider with global warehousing and reverse logistics capabilities. It is a broad incumbent competitor for large enterprise outsourced logistics contracts, though it is significantly larger and more technology-forward than Howard Tenens.
• Kuehne+Nagel: Kuehne+Nagel is one of the world's largest logistics companies with significant contract logistics and freight forwarding operations in the UK. A broad incumbent peer that overlaps with Howard Tenens in international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and contract logistics.
• DHL Supply Chain: DHL Supply Chain is the global contract logistics arm of Deutsche Post DHL, with deep UK presence in warehousing and dedicated transport for retail, FMCG, automotive, and life sciences. It is a broad incumbent peer that competes for the same enterprise customer RFPs as Howard Tenens but at materially larger scale.
• XPO Logistics: XPO (post-RXO spin-off) is a major UK and European contract logistics and transport provider with substantial warehousing and last-mile capabilities. Comparable to Howard Tenens across multiple verticals and a frequent competitor for UK enterprise logistics outsourcing.
• CEVA Logistics: CEVA Logistics is a global supply chain management company with major UK contract logistics operations, recently strengthened by its 2024 acquisition of Wincanton. A broad incumbent peer competing for similar UK retail, FMCG, and industrial customers.

Direct peers

• Eddie Stobart Logistics: Eddie Stobart is a UK-focused road transport and contract logistics provider with comparable fleet size, depot network, and retail/FMCG customer base. Despite recent corporate restructurings, it remains a close direct competitor for UK distribution and warehousing tenders in the same geographies as Howard Tenens.
• Wincanton: Wincanton is one of the UK's largest dedicated contract logistics providers, offering warehousing, transport, and home delivery services across multiple verticals. It is the most direct UK 3PL peer to Howard Tenens in scale, customer mix, and service offering, and was itself a take-private candidate before its 2024 acquisition by CEVA Logistics.
• Maritime Transport: Maritime Transport is a UK-based, family-owned transport, warehousing, and container logistics operator with a comparable freehold property portfolio and dedicated fleet model. Closely comparable to Howard Tenens in operating philosophy, family ownership profile, and UK mid-market contract logistics positioning.
• Culina Group: Culina Group is a major UK-headquartered ambient and temperature-controlled logistics, warehousing, and transport provider with substantial freehold property. Closely comparable to Howard Tenens in vertical mix (food & drink, retail/FMCG), co-located shared-user warehousing model, and family-built growth profile.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/howard-tenens-property/mycompany
• Xx.com/howardtenens

Compliance10 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Howard Tenens