The following is an opinion piece by Adam Geoghegan, Head of Supply Chain Business Development at Smiths News. The lessons that Smiths News are learning are lessons for us all
Why adaptation is key to growth
In today’s fast-paced world, standing still is no longer an option for businesses in traditional industries. The print media supply chain, once the backbone of timely news delivery, is evolving rapidly and those of us who operate within it must evolve too.
At our company, we’ve always been driven by one core mission: delivering what matters, when it matters most. For years, that meant ensuring newspapers reached retailers before dawn, every single day. But as the media landscape continues to shift, so do the needs of our customers.
It became clear that the same logistical expertise we’ve honed in newspaper distribution could open the door to new opportunities. That’s when we decided to diversify into B2B distribution services an exciting shift that’s brought challenges, insights, and, most importantly, growth.
Why the media supply chain was just the beginning
In-night and early morning delivery isn’t just about speed; it’s about precision, trust, and reliability. For years, our business has operated within razor-thin timeframes, navigating split deliveries, stock allocation challenges, and high-pressure environments to ensure news was delivered on time.
But we realised this expertise wasn’t limited to newspapers.
The logistics industry at large is facing a growing demand for “off-hours” B2B distribution services. Whether it’s delivering essential stock to retailers or supporting supply chains for businesses that need inventory ready before the day starts.
We saw an opportunity to leverage our core strengths:
- Established distribution networks
- Experienced operational teams
- Deep understanding of time-critical deliveries
By adapting our operations and broadening our scope, we’re now able to serve a wider range of businesses while continuing to support the media supply chain.
The key to business growth: continuous evolution
The decision to diversify wasn’t just about revenue; it was about staying relevant in an ever-changing world. As businesses, we must constantly ask ourselves:
- Are we solving the right problems for our customers?
- Can our existing strengths serve new markets?
- How do we future-proof our operations?
Our journey is still ongoing, and we’re learning every day. But one thing is clear: the companies that thrive are those willing to evolve, adapt, and embrace change.
As we continue to evolve, we remain committed to delivering reliability, precision, and trust. Whether it’s newspapers, essential stock, or time-critical goods, we’re here to ensure businesses get what they need, when they need it.
