TWO well-known companies have renewed a successful partnership which dates back over a decade.

A new five-year contract will see R McDowell Haulage & Distribution Ltd, both Keighley based, continue to operate as nationwide logistics partner for Stell Cardboard Tubes.

And following the signing of the deal, the haulier is investing nearly £800,000 in new vehicles.

The partnership – originally formed in 2010 – is now entering its third term, after an extensive retendering process.

Lee Skelton, managing director of Stell Cardboard Tubes, says: “I am delighted that we have agreed to continue our long-standing relationship with McDowell – which has proven itself to be an efficient, professional, flexible and cost-effective partner.

“We regularly receive compliments from our customers regarding the conduct of the drivers, which is crucial to maintaining customer relationships.

“Furthermore the last few years have been difficult for all businesses, presenting unprecedented operational challenges, and McDowell behaved like a true partner rather than ‘another supplier’.”

McDowell’s managing director, Nathan Goodridge, said he was “incredibly proud” of the partnership.

He added: “We very grateful to have been granted this further contractual term.

“We believe it’s extremely important to hold the same core values as our customers in order to provide the best possible service, and our partnership with Stell’s is a perfect example of this. Both businesses hold high levels of service at the forefront of everything they do. We will continue to work hard to ensure that all of its customers new and old can ‘trust Stell to deliver’.”

Family-owned Stell has roots in Keighley dating back to 1872.

The company was founded by John Stell and for the first 20 years was based at Worth Mill.

It then moved to Holme Mills, off Fell Lane, which would remain its home until 2015.

Since then the firm has occupied purpose-built, 100,000-square-feet premises in Royd Ings Avenue.

In recent years, the firm – whose products have a variety of uses, from kitchen rolls to fireworks – has grown substantially. It now employs 120 people, and sells more than £14 million worth of cardboard tubes every year.

Having initially delivered its products by horse and cart, the company used its own fleet of wagons until partnering with McDowell.

Based in Valley Road, R McDowell Haulage and Distribution Ltd runs more than 100 modern Euro 6-standard vehicles, and is adding to those.

It operates nationally, specialising in providing and managing delivery vehicle fleets on behalf of other companies.

The firm has a workforce of over 120, and an annual turnover exceeding £14m.