Logistics firm doubles South Tyneside footprint

A 31,000 sq ft warehouse off Waldridge Way, along with 10,000 sq t of open space, takes 3Sixty 3PL’s capacity in South Shields beyond 71,000 sq ft.

Earlier this year, 3Sixty snapped up the former base of FMCG logistics operator Pennguin at Simonside Industrial Estate, Pennguin having agreed a lease on a 100,000 sq ft+ base at Viking Industrial Park – both estates being owned by Mileway.

Founded by directors Anthony Hood and Craig Cotterill in 2022, 3Sixty 3PL was set up to capitalise on the region’s growing automotive and advanced manufacturing industries.

Since then, several Nissan suppliers and global conglomerate General Electric, busy on the Dogger Bank wind project, have become customers.

The growth has seen the company scale exponentially and with hundreds of millions of pounds of inward investment earmarked for industrial projects across the region over the coming years, the pair are confident the expansion will act as a catalyst for further growth.

Hood said: “We knew prior to setting up the business that there was a real demand for storage and handling provision for companies operating in the manufacturing and energy sectors but even we’ve been taken aback by just how much the company has grown.

“In just two and a half years we’ve grown rapidly, handling and storing over 1,000 items for GE and landing contracts with major suppliers to Nissan’s Sunderland plant.

“This latest investment however is a real statement of intent. Prior to setting up the business, Craig and I worked together at Port of Tyne and we always said that, when we set up, we would love nothing more than to continue supporting the local economy, and through this expansion we’re doing just that.

“It will see us create jobs for local people, procure more products and services from local suppliers and even more importantly, it will ensure we can continue to sustain the supply chains underpinning some of the region’s most significant developments.

“As two people from the North East, it’s an incredibly proud moment for us.”

3Sixty 3PL’s expansion has been supported with a business growth grant from Invest South Tyneside, the business investment arm of South Tyneside Council. This has been funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The grant has supported the securing of the premises, new forklifts, racking and lifting and handling equipment.

Cllr Margaret Meling, cabinet member for economic growth and transport at South Tyneside Council, said: “The business growth grants were launched to stimulate inward investment and help the borough’s existing firms grow, and 3Sixty 3pl is a perfect example of that.

“By reducing the risk associated with the expansion, the company has been able to immediately take on more work, create jobs and create more opportunities for the companies in its supply chain, the majority of which are based or doing business in South Tyneside.

“It’s a fantastic success story for the borough and one which we are very proud to have been able to support.”