25 March 2026 New partnership with Online Distribution provides career opportunities for Supply Chain Management students

Lincoln University and Online Distribution have formalised a long-running partnership that will facilitate graduates of the University’s Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Supply Chain Management obtaining full-time and part-time employment with Online Distribution, a leading New Zealand logistics specialist providing fulfilment, warehousing and supply chain solutions.

In return Online Distribution will extend and formalise their existing arrangement of providing guest lecturers for the University’s Supply Chain Management courses, a practice which adds considerable value for the students enrolled in those courses.

The company will also contribute valuable industry input into the Supply Chain Management course content, and will assist the University in undertaking degree and programme reviews.

The new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalised at a special signing ceremony held at Lincoln University’s historic Memorial Hall on Wednesday 25 March.

Lincoln University’s Associate Professor in Supply Chain Management, Dr Mark Wilson, said the partnership with Oline Distribution provides students with advantageous real-world experience of logistics platforms, and delivers opportunities for graduates in Supply Chain Management to start their careers in a leading logistics company.

“Our existing relationship with Online Distribution has contributed significantly to the profile and reputation of Lincoln University’s Supply Chain Management education programme, and we are very pleased to formalise and extend this important partnership.

“Online Distribution acts as an effective research and training incubator with access to world-leading logistics services, facilities, ecommerce and ICT platforms that demonstrate real-life work and process flows for our students.

“The relationship also provides our academic staff with a real-life and interactive teaching laboratory through field trips and visits, providing a direct connection between commercial activity and classroom theory.

Through further developing these valuable teaching opportunities, the MoU will enhance Lincoln University’s reputation for producing work-ready graduates, while equipping our students with the skills and expertise that will lead to a successful and rewarding career at the end of their three years of study.

Founded in Christchurch in 1988, Online Distribution is a family-owned logistics company specialising in third-party logistics employing over 200 staff across eight warehouses strategically located in Auckland and Christchurch.

Online Distribution’s General Manager – Commercial, Guy Evans, said that a prime focus for the privately-owned company is the wellbeing of its people.

“We’re very much a business based on people, and we’re committed to building genuine careers for our staff.

“We have welcomed many Lincoln University graduates into our business over the last two decades, and it gives us tremendous satisfaction to watch them flourish in their careers.

“We are also pleased to be able to contribute to the quality of the University’s supply chain management courses through our guest lectures, field trips and input into course content.

“As the logistics industry continues to grow, so too will our need for skilled and capable graduates, so we look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with Lincoln University.”

Guy Evans and Prof Grant Edwards (Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor) sign the new MoU