As 2025 draws to a close, the team at The Finishing Line is proud to reflect on a year defined by growth, innovation, and collaboration. From welcoming new eCommerce fulfilment clients to achieving industry accreditations and taking part in key business events across the UK, this year has showcased our ongoing commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
We’ve strengthened partnerships, invested in innovation, and built on our reputation as a trusted fulfilment and logistics partner, all while championing our people and supporting the wider business community. Here’s a look back at some of our standout moments from 2025.
At The Finishing Line, quality and compliance are at the heart of everything we do. Building on our long-standing ISO 9001 certification, we achieved ISO 13485 accreditation this year, a globally recognised standard for quality management systems in the medical and healthcare sectors.
As we continue to support clients across industries, including those handling medical and healthcare products, ISO 13485 marks a significant milestone in our mission to deliver the highest levels of safety, precision, and compliance.
This year, we were delighted to welcome a number of talented new colleagues to The Finishing Line. Among our new additions were, Emily Blanking (People & Culture Manager) and Kirsty Gagen (Finance Manager), alongside a significant number of new picker packers and line operatives. These hires highlight not only the rapid growth of the business but also our continued commitment to investing in our people and strengthening the foundations of our workforce.
One of the most notable appointments this year was that of Drew Mead, son of Managing Director Andy Mead, who joined the business as Financial Director. Drew’s focus is on bringing The Finishing Line into a new era of operational efficiency, introducing modern systems and streamlined processes to support sustainable growth.
Together, these strategic hires reflect our dedication to building a skilled, forward-thinking team ready to support the next chapter of The Finishing Line’s development.
In May, The Finishing Line was nominated for two awards at the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) Awards for Excellence: Digital Innovation Project (Systems) – in partnership with RoboK – and Excellence in Value Added Services.
A few months later, at the July award ceremony, we were proud to take home the Excellence in Value Added Services Award. This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication and drive to deliver more for our clients. It also reflects the progress we’ve made in enhancing our services and embracing new technologies to improve efficiency and value.
University of Essex: Business Innovation & Enterprise’s ‘Developing an Innovation Culture for Growth’: Earlier in the year, Andy Mead, Managing Director, shared The Finishing Lines journey from humble beginnings to a highly recognised 3PL. He discussed how a company driven by strategy, partnerships and commitment to people can succeed.
Amazon Innovation Accelerator in Tilbury: In July, Josh Arrowsmith, Commercial Director, took part in the Amazon Innovation Accelerator at their Tilbury fulfilment centre. This provided valuable insights into Amazon’s approach to automation and efficiency, knowledge we continue to apply as we evolve our own operations.
New Hall School Careers Fair: To inspire the next generation and highlight the pathways available in the logistics industry, Our People & Culture Manager, Emily Blanking and Financial Director, Drew Mead, attended the New Hall School Careers Fair in September.
Essex Chambers of Commerce & Industry Festival of Business: In November, we not only exhibited at the event, Managing Director, Andy Mead, took part in a panel discussion ‘Devolution in Essex: What It Means for Business’.
Amazon Innovation Accelerator 2025: Our Commercial Director, Josh Arrowsmith, attend the Amazon Innovation Accelerator 2025 event in London last month. He took part in a panel discussion sharing insights, experiences, and key takeaways from our journey alongside two other SME’s.
In partnership with the Essex Chambers of Commerce & Industry, The Finishing Line hosted an evening at the House of Commons. The event included a guided tour of Parliament, a glimpse into the Commons gallery during a live debate, and a private dinner with MP Richard Holden, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport.
The evening offered businesses the chance to discuss key topics such as national insurance, business rates, import duties, and the evolving role of AI in business. Our thanks go to the Essex Chambers of Commerce & Industry, our clients, MP Richard Holden, and the House of Commons for such an engaging and insightful experience.
It’s well known that Black Friday and Cyber Monday make up the most commercially impactful weekend of the year for eCommerce businesses and retailers. This year, The Finishing Line delivered its strongest performance to date, picking, packing and shipping more orders than ever before.
By the end of Cyber Monday, the team had successfully closed over 13,200 orders which is an incredible 305% increase compared to the previous year. This achievement reflects the dedication, planning and seamless co-ordination across departments.
The close collaboration between our eCommerce team and our Contract Packing team, who stepped in to provide additional support and ensure every order was fulfilled on time, is a testament to the commitment of our people. Their collective effort ensured customers received the reliable and efficient service they expect during the busiest trading period of the year.
2025 has been a year of recognition, connection, and advancement for The Finishing Line. Each milestone, from industry awards to accreditation achievements and thought leadership engagements, reflects on our commitment to innovation, partnership, and quality.
As we look ahead to 2026, we remain focused on delivering the best value for our clients, empowering our people, and driving positive change across the logistics and fulfilment industry.
Here’s to another year of growth, collaboration, and success!
We’re here to help. If you’re looking for a trusted partner in Essex, get in touch with our team today. Let’s take your business further.
