NEWS
ONLY THE
BRAVE
Partners – Mat Bruce and Kris Marsay , owner-operators of Middlesbrough-based
Sovereign Supply Chain .
How a chance encounter led to unprecedented success for Sovereign Supply Chain
PICTURE : CHRIS BOOTH WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON
Setting up a commercial warehousing and fulfilment service business in lockdown and with a pending Brexit may have seemed foolhardy , but if anyone exemplifies Teesside tenacity it ’ s Mat Bruce and Kris Marsay , owner-operators of Middlesbrough-based Sovereign Supply Chain .
The company specialises in commercial warehousing , fulfilment services and managed transport , catering to a diverse range of sectors including retail , chemical , solar and food and beverage .
With 40 years of experience between them , Mat and Kris know their sector intimately , and a chance roadside meeting during lockdown in July 2020 set the wheels in motion for joining forces and launching a company of their own .
“ I was getting my daily allowance of exercise , as I was furloughed ,” recalls Kris . “ Mat was still working and as he drove past , he recognised me and stopped for a socially distanced chat .
“ We discussed our dreams of going into business and from that day , things just snowballed . During my furlough , it had become obvious there were going to be redundancies , so I put my hat in the ring , and Mat resigned . I don ’ t know whether we were brave or stupid , but two months later , Sovereign was incorporated .
“ I ’ d been in sales and account management during the first round of Brexit , and storage had gone crazy . Everyone wanted to manufacture goods and get them stored while they were getting tax benefits from importing ingredients and so on , so when ‘ Brexit Two ’ came around , I thought the same would happen .
“ It didn ’ t , and the warehouse sat half empty . Luckily , we had the backup of transport customers who stuck by us , gave us work and got us through those vital first months .”
Despite its challenging start , Sovereign has grown exponentially over the last three years , with growth in excess of 100 per cent year on year . Kris and Mat , however , remain mindful of taking things steadily .
“ We ’ ve had numerous opportunities to go really , really big , but we ’ ve walked away as we didn ’ t want the business to implode ,” explains Kris . “ If we knew we wouldn ’ t be able to give 100 per cent we would tactfully decline .”
From day one , Sovereign has emphasised ethical operations , collaboration within the region and a hands-on approach to its services . It strives to differentiate itself from competitors by working in partnership with other companies rather than viewing them as rivals . In addition , Kris and Mat are proud of their investment in their local community .
“ We give what we can to charity , both in raising awareness and supporting their various projects in monetary terms , including the Hope Foundation , Furbdit and Andy ’ s Man Club , all of which we have announced as our charities of choice ,” says Kris ,
“ I also personally support Autism
Families Together , an organisation close to my heart ,” added Mat .
Kris added : “ We also contribute to local sports teams such as Billingham Town FC , Billingham Rugby Club and Middlesbrough FC . The grassroots support we give makes a real difference to the clubs and the local community .”
Both Mat and Kris are passionate about supporting the local business community and endeavour to use local suppliers whenever possible , continuing relationships with companies it has worked with from day one , to show their appreciation for those who supported them in their early days and have assisted in Sovereign ’ s growth to date .
As 2023 draws to a close , Sovereign is at heads of terms with warehouse number three , which is double the size of their other two properties put together .
“ It ’ s a substantial move for us , but we are over the risk period of the first three years , financially stable , and it ’ s time to take that next step and start putting more boots on the ground ,” says Mat . “ However , we will still be owner-operators , as it ’ s really important for us to keep that personal touch .”
In a world where success is often measured by the bottom line , Sovereign Supply Chain ’ s journey is a testament to the power of resilience , ethical business practices and the courage to embark on the path less travelled , all while actively contributing to the betterment of the community it calls home .
sovereignsupplychain . co . uk
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