Key Takeaways
- • YardOps, a Hull-based FMCG logistics technology platform, secured funding valuing the company at £2.5 million from early-stage VC firm Haatch (via its SEIS Fund and British Business Bank-backed fund) and angel investors via York Angels.
- • The platform addresses a significant market inefficiency: approximately 70 percent of UK logistics yards still operate on spreadsheets, radios, and fragmented tools rather than integrated software solutions.
- • YardOps has demonstrated commercial traction with contracts from a major supermarket group and prior deployment across four logistics hubs at one of the UK's largest food and drink companies.
- • The funding will be deployed toward product development, sales and marketing expansion, and senior team strengthening, including the recent appointment of Martin Dougherty as commercial director—a logistics veteran from Wincanton and DHL.
- • The company is led by co-founders Jim Wardlaw, Matt Gibson, John Polling, and Matt Weldon, who identified the yard logistics efficiency gap within the UK's otherwise world-leading FMCG sector.
Summary
YardOps, a Hull-based software company specializing in yard operations for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) logistics, has closed a funding round valuing the business at £2.5 million. The investment comes from early-stage venture capital firm Haatch—deploying capital through its SEIS Fund and a British Business Bank-backed fund—alongside angel investors from York Angels platform. This capital infusion represents a validation of the company's technology and market positioning within the underserved UK logistics yard management sector.
The company addresses a substantial operational inefficiency across the UK FMCG supply chain. According to co-founder Jim Wardlaw, approximately 70 percent of UK logistics yards continue to rely on manual processes including spreadsheets, radios, and disconnected tool sets rather than integrated digital platforms. YardOps has developed bespoke software solutions designed to streamline these yard operations, improving both efficiency and operational speed. The addressable market is substantial given the scale of manual operations still prevalent across major logistics operators.
YardOps has established commercial proof of concept with high-profile customers. The company has secured a contract with a major supermarket group and previously supplied technology to one of the UK's largest food and drink companies, with deployment across four separate logistics hubs. These customer relationships validate the product-market fit and demonstrate the tangible value proposition of the platform within FMCG supply chains.
The funding will be allocated toward three strategic priorities: further product development, sales and marketing expansion, and strengthening the senior management team. The company recently appointed Martin Dougherty as commercial director—a logistics industry veteran who previously held senior positions at Wincanton and DHL. This hire signals management's intent to accelerate go-to-market execution and capitalize on the identified market opportunity. YardOps is led by co-founders Jim Wardlaw, Matt Gibson, John Polling, and Matt Weldon.
The company addresses a substantial operational inefficiency across the UK FMCG supply chain. According to co-founder Jim Wardlaw, approximately 70 percent of UK logistics yards continue to rely on manual processes including spreadsheets, radios, and disconnected tool sets rather than integrated digital platforms. YardOps has developed bespoke software solutions designed to streamline these yard operations, improving both efficiency and operational speed. The addressable market is substantial given the scale of manual operations still prevalent across major logistics operators.
YardOps has established commercial proof of concept with high-profile customers. The company has secured a contract with a major supermarket group and previously supplied technology to one of the UK's largest food and drink companies, with deployment across four separate logistics hubs. These customer relationships validate the product-market fit and demonstrate the tangible value proposition of the platform within FMCG supply chains.
The funding will be allocated toward three strategic priorities: further product development, sales and marketing expansion, and strengthening the senior management team. The company recently appointed Martin Dougherty as commercial director—a logistics industry veteran who previously held senior positions at Wincanton and DHL. This hire signals management's intent to accelerate go-to-market execution and capitalize on the identified market opportunity. YardOps is led by co-founders Jim Wardlaw, Matt Gibson, John Polling, and Matt Weldon.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.