Day: 31 October 2019

The extension of the Brexit deadline to the end of January 2021 will relieve some of the pressure on the UK logistics sector as the industry enters one of its busiest times of the year, says UKWA – the United Kingdom Warehousing Association.

The Association’s CEO, Peter Ward, comments: “With retailers gearing up for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas, the previous date set for Britain’s EU departure – October 31st ¬¬– coincided with peak season for many UKWA members at a time of the year when UK warehouse and distribution facilities are operating close to full capacity.
“With Brexit now coming after peak season, the extended deadline should allow our members to deliver Christmas without the added risk and impacts of a simultaneous day-one no deal scenario.”

And, according to Peter Ward, contrary to some recent media coverage the logistics industry has not been enjoying a bonanza as a result of companies seeking to stockpile inventory.

Peter Ward says: “The UK logistics sector has been the subject of considerable media focus with reports implying that warehouse operators are profiting from those companies seeking to stockpile inventory in the run-up to Brexit. This is a myth. UKWA members report that, in most cases, the requests they have had for additional pallet space has been from existing customers and, of course, the space is offered to these clients at pre-agreed terms.

“Furthermore, it is recognised that in most cases storage alone does not generate sufficient margin. Warehouse operators make their modest profits from handling frequently turning stock and providing value added services such as picking and packing, so they do not simply want a warehouse full of pallets sitting idly on racking.”

Ward also feels that the latest Brexit delay will have minimal effect on demand for storage space. He says: “Those companies that prepared for Brexit did so in run up to the original March deadline. Data collected by UKWA in September showed little evidence of further stockpiling after April in preparation for October, and we expect little to change in this next period, especially now that the threat of a cliff-edge fall-out has been significantly reduced.”

UKWA has consistently highlighted that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, whatever the outcome, and whatever the timing, is likely to drive a long term demand for additional warehousing. Should the UK divert to WTO terms for its trade to and from the EU, some 200 million extra customs declarations will be required, with border checks on animal and plant imports. Such interruptions in the supply chain will naturally lead companies to hold more inventory in their supply chain and therefore more warehouse capacity will be required.

 

The extension of the Brexit deadline to the end of January 2021 will relieve some of the pressure on the UK logistics sector as the industry enters one of its busiest times of the year, says UKWA – the United Kingdom Warehousing Association.

The Association’s CEO, Peter Ward, comments: “With retailers gearing up for Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas, the previous date set for Britain’s EU departure – October 31st ¬¬– coincided with peak season for many UKWA members at a time of the year when UK warehouse and distribution facilities are operating close to full capacity.
“With Brexit now coming after peak season, the extended deadline should allow our members to deliver Christmas without the added risk and impacts of a simultaneous day-one no deal scenario.”

And, according to Peter Ward, contrary to some recent media coverage the logistics industry has not been enjoying a bonanza as a result of companies seeking to stockpile inventory.

Peter Ward says: “The UK logistics sector has been the subject of considerable media focus with reports implying that warehouse operators are profiting from those companies seeking to stockpile inventory in the run-up to Brexit. This is a myth. UKWA members report that, in most cases, the requests they have had for additional pallet space has been from existing customers and, of course, the space is offered to these clients at pre-agreed terms.

“Furthermore, it is recognised that in most cases storage alone does not generate sufficient margin. Warehouse operators make their modest profits from handling frequently turning stock and providing value added services such as picking and packing, so they do not simply want a warehouse full of pallets sitting idly on racking.”

Ward also feels that the latest Brexit delay will have minimal effect on demand for storage space. He says: “Those companies that prepared for Brexit did so in run up to the original March deadline. Data collected by UKWA in September showed little evidence of further stockpiling after April in preparation for October, and we expect little to change in this next period, especially now that the threat of a cliff-edge fall-out has been significantly reduced.”

UKWA has consistently highlighted that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, whatever the outcome, and whatever the timing, is likely to drive a long term demand for additional warehousing. Should the UK divert to WTO terms for its trade to and from the EU, some 200 million extra customs declarations will be required, with border checks on animal and plant imports. Such interruptions in the supply chain will naturally lead companies to hold more inventory in their supply chain and therefore more warehouse capacity will be required.

 

Stéphane Cassagne has been appointed Executive Vice President of the Distribution & Express Line of Business at GEODIS. He is a member of the Group’s Management Committee, which is chaired by Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS.

Stéphane Cassagne holds a postgraduate degree in business law. He began his career in the Legal Affairs Department at Calberson in 1993, becoming Department Head in 1998. In 2003, he was named Senior Vice President, Legal Affairs for the GEODIS Group. In 2007, he took responsibility for the Group’s real estate, insurance and customs portfolios. Since 2013, he has served as Group Corporate Secretary.
Alongside his new duties, he will retain his role as Director of Group Real Estate.

“Stéphane Cassagne has all the necessary qualities and skills to succeed in his new missions. His great experience and knowledge of GEODIS are strengths that will contribute to the success of our ambition of being the growth partner for our clients,” said Marie-Christine Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of GEODIS.

DKV Euro Service, one of the leading B2B mobility service providers in Europe, has appointed Peter Meier as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with effect from 2 January 2020. He succeeds Dr. Werner Grünewald, who will leave the company at the end of December. In addition to his responsibilities as CFO for DKV Euro Services Peter Meier will also complete the management team as CFO of DKV MOBILITY SERVICES Holding, next to Marco van Kalleveen (CEO) and Dr. Hendrik Rosenboom (CDO).

“With Peter Meier, we have been able to win over another global top manager for our company”, says CEO Marco van Kalleveen. He adds: “With his unique financial and capital market expertise, Peter will help us to achieve our ambitious growth targets. With him, our management team is now complete and well-positioned for the future”.
Born in Switzerland, Meier joins DKV from HERE Technologies, a global leader in mapping and location platform services, where he served as CFO. Prior to joining HERE, he was CFO and then CEO of the KUONI Group, a global travel company.