3PL to handle UK multi-channel fulfilment for Vahdam

UK logistics provider 3PL has signed Vahdam Teas as a multi-channel fulfilment customer for the brand's UK business-to-business operations.

The arrangement covers UK-based fulfilment services for retail and wholesale orders. 3PL said it will run a dedicated service for Vahdam Teas that dispatches stock to retail and wholesale clients in the UK.

Vahdam Teas sells tea and wellness products and distributes in more than 130 countries. The company sources tea from plantations and small farms across India, including Darjeeling, Assam and Nilgiri.

Wholesale demand

Vahdam Teas has expanded its UK wholesale business. The company said it needed a fulfilment partner that could handle B2B orders without disrupting its existing direct-from-source supply chain.

3PL will manage the UK distribution of products to business customers. Those customers include retailers and wholesale partners such as Amazon, Costco, Holland & Barrett, and Lakshmi.

Retailer-facing fulfilment often includes vendor-specific rules on delivery slots, booking-in processes, labelling and other compliance steps. Those requirements vary by channel and by retailer. Missed standards can lead to refused deliveries and penalties, according to the companies.

3PL said it will work with Vahdam Teas on order accuracy and retailer compliance. "We are working closely with Vahdam Teas' team to ensure orders are handled accurately and compliantly while meeting the specific requirements of each retail and wholesale channel," said Steve Rigby, Head of Fulfilment and Delivery, 3PL.

Product range

Vahdam Teas' catalogue includes loose-leaf tea, tea bags, botanicals, spices and wellness accessories.

The company positions its model around direct sourcing from growers rather than traditional export routes. It said this approach reduces the number of intermediaries involved between garden and consumer. It also cited freshness, quality and provenance as focus areas in its supply chain.

Vahdam Teas launched in 2015. Founder Bala Sarda comes from a family involved in the tea trade, according to the company. Vahdam Teas said the brand name comes from a reverse anagram of Sarda's father's name, Madhav. The company has also received endorsements from public figures, including Oprah Winfrey.

Operations live

The UK multi-channel fulfilment operation is live and has been running for several months, according to the companies. 3PL said it has set up fulfilment processes aimed at order accuracy, stock visibility and consistent dispatch for UK retail and wholesale partners.

The partnership adds to 3PL's portfolio of retail and brand clients that require multiple routes to market. Multi-channel operations typically mean different service levels and different carrier choices across B2C and B2B orders. They also often require integration with retailer booking systems and adherence to vendor manuals for labelling and packaging.

3PL operates from Wigan in Greater Manchester and started trading in 2006. The company provides fulfilment services for retailers and brands in the UK and internationally, according to its corporate description.

3PL also develops an internal software platform, 3PL Fusion. The company said the system provides real-time operational control for customers.

3PL describes two main fulfilment offerings. 3PL Direct targets direct-to-consumer fulfilment for eCommerce brands, covering warehousing, picking, packing and shipping. 3PL Flex focuses on multi-channel fulfilment and can combine D2C and B2B flows, including inventory management across locations and carrier selection.

Rigby said 3PL and Vahdam Teas will continue joint work on day-to-day operations across the UK's retail and wholesale channels. "We are working closely with Vahdam Teas' team to ensure orders are handled accurately and compliantly while meeting the specific requirements of each retail and wholesale channel," said Rigby.