SUCCESS
Service – under owner-operators Mat Bruce and Kris Marsay , Sovereign Supply Chain has become a vital part of Teesside ’ s business landscape .
CHAIN REACTION
Sovereign Supply Chain has emerged as a leading name on Teesside , combining local collaboration and strategic growth to drive regional success …
WORDS : JULIE BURNISTON PICTURE : STUART BOULTON
Founded in 2020 by owner-operators Mat Bruce and Kris Marsay , Sovereign Supply Chain has quickly scaled to serve a wide range of industries , including retail , chemicals , solar energy , food and beverage and beyond . Specialising in commercial storage , warehousing , fulfilment services , third-party logistics and managed transport , Sovereign has firmly positioned itself as an essential part of Teesside ’ s business landscape .
A pivotal piece of this journey has been Sovereign ’ s ongoing partnerships with a large partner base , including AV Dawson , a freight logistics and port operation powerhouse with a deep commitment to Teesside .
The ongoing alliance brings together the complementary strengths of both companies , creating a partnership focused on mutual growth and regional impact .
“ We ’ ve partnered with AV Dawson for about three years , with both businesses complementing each other ’ s operational strengths and capabilities , but we ’ ve only recently started talking more openly about it ,” Kris explains .
“ Each of us brings unique strengths , and together we ’ re able to offer something genuinely valuable to the community . By working with AV Dawson and other key partners , we ’ re now better positioned than ever to support a variety of customer needs , enhancing our logistical capabilities and operational reach .”
In a move to further strengthen its Teesside roots , Sovereign has expanded its footprint to an expansive facility in Portrack , Stockton . This state-of-the-art site is more than double their previous footprint , supporting larger operations and generating new job opportunities for the local workforce .
“ We doubled our headcount with the new site and are in talks to strengthen our team as our customers demand further growth ,” Mat says .
The decision to expand was both timely and strategic , providing Sovereign with essential infrastructure such as loading bays and abundant warehousing and transport capabilities .
Sovereign ’ s growth has been propelled not only by new client partnerships but by increasing demand from its existing partners . This year , it welcomed a diverse range of new clients , including a record manufacturer , a food sauce manufacturer and retailer , a luxury leather goods e-commerce business and a solar panel distributor .
“ Each partnership represents a unique industry challenge , and we ’ re eager to help our clients streamline operations and manage supply chains more effectively ,” says Kris .
Demand from Sovereign ’ s established clients has also pushed its impressive expansion . The firm ’ s largest warehouse client has shown year-on-year growth , consistently requiring additional space to keep pace with its operations .
Meanwhile , another major client has launched a new finished goods project , a critical step toward optimising distribution and strengthening overall efficiency .
Additionally , Sovereign is in discussions with a returning seasonal client about transitioning to a year-round partnership in 2025 as the client approaches a revenue goal of £ 1bn .
“ We ’ re preparing to meet their growing needs as a dedicated 3PL provider ,” Mat adds .
Sovereign ’ s emphasis on trust , reliability and understanding each client ’ s business on a deeper level is key to building and retaining its loyal client base .
“ Our loyal clients have been a huge part of our journey , and our goal is to continue to offer high levels of service to support our clients ’ growth .
“ These strong relationships and collaborations are what keep our clients continuing to reach out to use our facilities and explore new ways of streamlining their supply chain requirements .”
As Sovereign ’ s growth continues , balancing expansion with a personal approach has become central .
Clients appreciate Mat and Kris ’ s involvement in daily operations , which reflects Sovereign ’ s “ owner-managed , hands-on approach ”.
“ We ’ re in that transition phase between small and large , and we ’ re working hard to keep that personal touch while evolving to meet larger operational demands ,” says Kris .
“ As we continue to grow not only regionally but potentially nationally , our focus is on steady and sustainable growth .
“ We ’ re always open to new partnerships and opportunities of course , but we ’ re sticking to the values that got us here – and that includes making the best cup of tea in the North-East !” he adds with a smile .
sovereignsupplychain . co . uk
The voice of business in the Tees region | 141