DSV opens doors at Leics. hub

Just 10 months after commencement on site, DSV is celebrating the practical completion of a 522,000 sq ft industrial facility and offices. The scheme – designed, constructed and partially fitted out by Winvic Construction Ltd during the pandemic – is located at the 238-acre Mercia Park in north-west Leicestershire.

The plot comprises three buildings – totalling 522,000 sq ft – and contains:

  • 104 dock levellers:
  • A 358,000 sq ft steel-framed warehouse containing three mezzanine floors and two single-storey hub offices totalling 4,360 sq ft
  • A 112,000 sq ft cross-dock terminal
  • A 35,660 sq ft three-storey office building

The large stand-alone office building was designed and executed to meet DSV’s global standard with high-spec fitted office spaces found within the warehouse buildings. The prominent design features to the main office include a glass lift, wood-panelled walls in an oak finish and a feature staircase. The external works package included 381,700 sq ft yard space plus car parking for 406 vehicles, and the programme contained all drainage, retaining wall, and hard and soft landscaping works.

Surinder Dubro, Managing Director, in DSV, commented: “We commissioned the project in September to construct a building in the heart of England to accommodate all three divisions of DSV. The main shared user warehouse facility operated by our DSV Solutions Division will provide logistics services for two existing platforms clients and will ensure both seasonal capacity and growth can be accommodated.

“The facility will also be fitted out with DSV Factory Fulfilment automation. This plug and play system will allow clients to enter an automated tote bin and grid system where robots pick the goods and deliver direct to the packing teams.”

This UK £2.5m DSV investment is one of six initial systems being installed in Europe with an initial investment of over £20m with more to come across the globe and is a clear strategy to ensure DSV delivers operational excellence.

Local Management, Marc Coleman, Louis Ataria and Sarah Pritchett shall be welcoming their teams from two existing locations to the new site from mid-October, which shall bring new job opportunities to the local area of Mercia Park.

Vice President, Jesper Hansen, added: “This is a huge enhancement to our portfolio, the state-of-the-art facility is ideally situated to operate as the key main hub for our distribution network, servicing the entire country. The location complements our already established infrastructure across Europe, adding significantly to our continuously developing DSV groupage network.”

The project has been designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) under the 2018 framework to achieve excellence in respect of water and energy efficiency. To name a few initiatives, rainwater harvesting will be used for flushing toilets to reduce consumption of potable water, sustainable drainage systems have been implemented as well as solar photovoltaics for electrical power contribution.

High-performance LED lighting supported by motion sensors have been installed, reducing the total power demand whilst meeting best practice. As part of the Mercia Park site wide scheme beyond the site boundary, there is the creation of landscape buffers and large-scale planting using native woodland species, planting for wildlife habitat and wildflower buffers, roosting boxes for bats and nesting boxes for birds.

The project’s progress has been streamed throughout construction and the completed buildings with their striking striped cladding can still be seen on Winvic Live in timelapse videos.

Winvic Construction Director, Rob Bull, said: “The DSV project bucks the industrial facility trend because it comprises separate buildings for the main warehouse, cross-dock and offices, but there was no doubt that we could carefully sequence the construction and fit-out works to build them all simultaneously and within ten months. Additionally, our team led by Project Manager David Gilbert knew that the aesthetics, material quality and execution had to meet DSV’s high global design standards, and we’re as thrilled as DSV are about the exceptional finish achieved.”

DSV opens doors at Leics. hub

Just 10 months after commencement on site, DSV is celebrating the practical completion of a 522,000 sq ft industrial facility and offices. The scheme – designed, constructed and partially fitted out by Winvic Construction Ltd during the pandemic – is located at the 238-acre Mercia Park in north-west Leicestershire.

The plot comprises three buildings – totalling 522,000 sq ft – and contains:

  • 104 dock levellers:
  • A 358,000 sq ft steel-framed warehouse containing three mezzanine floors and two single-storey hub offices totalling 4,360 sq ft
  • A 112,000 sq ft cross-dock terminal
  • A 35,660 sq ft three-storey office building

The large stand-alone office building was designed and executed to meet DSV’s global standard with high-spec fitted office spaces found within the warehouse buildings. The prominent design features to the main office include a glass lift, wood-panelled walls in an oak finish and a feature staircase. The external works package included 381,700 sq ft yard space plus car parking for 406 vehicles, and the programme contained all drainage, retaining wall, and hard and soft landscaping works.

Surinder Dubro, Managing Director, in DSV, commented: “We commissioned the project in September to construct a building in the heart of England to accommodate all three divisions of DSV. The main shared user warehouse facility operated by our DSV Solutions Division will provide logistics services for two existing platforms clients and will ensure both seasonal capacity and growth can be accommodated.

“The facility will also be fitted out with DSV Factory Fulfilment automation. This plug and play system will allow clients to enter an automated tote bin and grid system where robots pick the goods and deliver direct to the packing teams.”

This UK £2.5m DSV investment is one of six initial systems being installed in Europe with an initial investment of over £20m with more to come across the globe and is a clear strategy to ensure DSV delivers operational excellence.

Local Management, Marc Coleman, Louis Ataria and Sarah Pritchett shall be welcoming their teams from two existing locations to the new site from mid-October, which shall bring new job opportunities to the local area of Mercia Park.

Vice President, Jesper Hansen, added: “This is a huge enhancement to our portfolio, the state-of-the-art facility is ideally situated to operate as the key main hub for our distribution network, servicing the entire country. The location complements our already established infrastructure across Europe, adding significantly to our continuously developing DSV groupage network.”

The project has been designed and constructed in accordance with the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) under the 2018 framework to achieve excellence in respect of water and energy efficiency. To name a few initiatives, rainwater harvesting will be used for flushing toilets to reduce consumption of potable water, sustainable drainage systems have been implemented as well as solar photovoltaics for electrical power contribution.

High-performance LED lighting supported by motion sensors have been installed, reducing the total power demand whilst meeting best practice. As part of the Mercia Park site wide scheme beyond the site boundary, there is the creation of landscape buffers and large-scale planting using native woodland species, planting for wildlife habitat and wildflower buffers, roosting boxes for bats and nesting boxes for birds.

The project’s progress has been streamed throughout construction and the completed buildings with their striking striped cladding can still be seen on Winvic Live in timelapse videos.

Winvic Construction Director, Rob Bull, said: “The DSV project bucks the industrial facility trend because it comprises separate buildings for the main warehouse, cross-dock and offices, but there was no doubt that we could carefully sequence the construction and fit-out works to build them all simultaneously and within ten months. Additionally, our team led by Project Manager David Gilbert knew that the aesthetics, material quality and execution had to meet DSV’s high global design standards, and we’re as thrilled as DSV are about the exceptional finish achieved.”

ORBIS launches brown box replacement

ORBIS Europe, an international manufacturer of innovative and sustainable plastic transport packaging, has launched its reusable PlastiCorr boxes at the Sustainability in Packaging Europe event in Barcelona.

It is the first direct replacement for single-use corrugated packaging on the market requiring no changes to pack out quantity or logistics processes. ORBIS says PlastiCorr is ideal for FMCG applications with closed supply chain loops including inbound receiving and finished goods to co-pack. By switching from corrugated to plastic, users benefit from long-term cost savings, a significant overall reduction in the environmental impact and improved efficiency and cleanliness on site.

“With this reusable and recyclable solution, ORBIS makes a huge step towards a coherent circular economy in FMCG supply chains,” says Jürgen Krahé, Senior Commercial Director EMEA at ORBIS. “Our sustainability journey continues. PlastiCorr caters to companies’ sustainability targets while helping to save costs.”

The plastic boxes are reusable up to 70 cycles through the supply chain for a significant ROI of 30% or more.

More than 65% of all transport packaging in Germany is made from corrugated board. Thus, paper and cardboard account for the majority of packaging waste in the EU. But fibre corrugated recycling uses huge amounts of water every year. Krahé says: “With our new product, water consumption decreases by around 90%. At the same time, we offer a more sustainable alternative in times of shortages in paper supply.

PlastiCorr is designed to perform identically as a single-use fibre corrugated box – with superior performance qualities. The all-plastic design eliminates dust and moisture issues common with corrugate for enhanced box durability and merchandise protection. All edges are sealed to reduce the potential harbour area for contaminants and improve safety and ergonomics.

PlastiCorr works with most non-glue automated packaging lines and is compatible with existing box sealing methods (no residue tape, bands). The patented design offers repeatable, reliable performance: The Enfold technology allows box flaps to return to the straight position after each use, so the boxes stay within spec after multiple uses to reduce line downtime.

ORBIS offers a sustainable way of handling of empty boxes during return shipment and storage: Custom sleeve packs are used to consolidate, orient and protect the reusable PlastiCorr boxes. Truck and warehouse utilisation can be optimised by double and triple stacking. At the end of the service life, PlastiCorr is 100% recyclable. ORBIS offers to buy back the plastic materials and uses them for new packaging production.

ORBIS launches brown box replacement

ORBIS Europe, an international manufacturer of innovative and sustainable plastic transport packaging, has launched its reusable PlastiCorr boxes at the Sustainability in Packaging Europe event in Barcelona.

It is the first direct replacement for single-use corrugated packaging on the market requiring no changes to pack out quantity or logistics processes. ORBIS says PlastiCorr is ideal for FMCG applications with closed supply chain loops including inbound receiving and finished goods to co-pack. By switching from corrugated to plastic, users benefit from long-term cost savings, a significant overall reduction in the environmental impact and improved efficiency and cleanliness on site.

“With this reusable and recyclable solution, ORBIS makes a huge step towards a coherent circular economy in FMCG supply chains,” says Jürgen Krahé, Senior Commercial Director EMEA at ORBIS. “Our sustainability journey continues. PlastiCorr caters to companies’ sustainability targets while helping to save costs.”

The plastic boxes are reusable up to 70 cycles through the supply chain for a significant ROI of 30% or more.

More than 65% of all transport packaging in Germany is made from corrugated board. Thus, paper and cardboard account for the majority of packaging waste in the EU. But fibre corrugated recycling uses huge amounts of water every year. Krahé says: “With our new product, water consumption decreases by around 90%. At the same time, we offer a more sustainable alternative in times of shortages in paper supply.

PlastiCorr is designed to perform identically as a single-use fibre corrugated box – with superior performance qualities. The all-plastic design eliminates dust and moisture issues common with corrugate for enhanced box durability and merchandise protection. All edges are sealed to reduce the potential harbour area for contaminants and improve safety and ergonomics.

PlastiCorr works with most non-glue automated packaging lines and is compatible with existing box sealing methods (no residue tape, bands). The patented design offers repeatable, reliable performance: The Enfold technology allows box flaps to return to the straight position after each use, so the boxes stay within spec after multiple uses to reduce line downtime.

ORBIS offers a sustainable way of handling of empty boxes during return shipment and storage: Custom sleeve packs are used to consolidate, orient and protect the reusable PlastiCorr boxes. Truck and warehouse utilisation can be optimised by double and triple stacking. At the end of the service life, PlastiCorr is 100% recyclable. ORBIS offers to buy back the plastic materials and uses them for new packaging production.

Delamode appoints Fashion & Lifestyle Director

Xpediator, an international freight management & 3PL group, has appointed Penny Gradwell as a Director of the Fashion & Lifestyle division of Delamode International Logistics, the Group’s subsidiary in the freight forwarding division.

Gradwell joins the Group from Nippon Express, a substantial Japanese logistics conglomerate where she held a range of senior management positions and is highly experienced in Fashion, FMCG and e-commerce markets, including European road freight management. Gradwell’s role will be focused on expanding the customer base of the Fashion and Lifestyle division, targeting luxury fashion retailers such as boutiques, individual retail stores, and start-up businesses all over the world.

Customers will have access to Delamode’s one-stop-shop service for fashion retailers, which encompasses every element of the supply chain. Delamode’s international distribution network allows customers to safely and efficiently import items to the UK on a large or small scale, from individual designer items to raw fabric materials from both off and near shore manufacturing locations. Delamode’s Luxury London fashion facility also provides clients with a bonded warehousing solution and garment processing covering all valued added services, which is underpinned by a UK delivery network solution covering every postcode in the UK.

Luke Croome, COO of Xpediator’s Fashion and Lifestyle Division, said: “Penny has significant fashion, ecommerce and FMCG sector experience and I am delighted to welcome Penny as part of the team. There is no doubt demand is growing within the luxury fashion sector for the preference to place their trust in a single logistics provider and as a business we are well positioned to support these clients with every supply chain service.

“Environmental sustainability is also rightly a key talking point for our clients and as an environmentally responsible business I am excited about the plans we have in place to help offset our carbon emission, including the upgrading of our GOH fleet to electric powered vehicles in 2022.”

Gradwell added: “I am delighted to have joined Delamode International Logistics and look forward to adding more high-quality brands to their already impressive customer base.

“It is a fantastic conversation to be able to have with clients when you can offer a true end-to-end service solution delivered completely inhouse. Delamode International Logistics offers every service from international freight management, European distribution, customs clearances with bonded warehousing (London facility), e-commerce solutions, shop fit outs and garment processing covering all value-added services and not forgetting our UK delivery service providing final last mile deliveries of GOH, cartons and pallets.”

Delamode appoints Fashion & Lifestyle Director

Xpediator, an international freight management & 3PL group, has appointed Penny Gradwell as a Director of the Fashion & Lifestyle division of Delamode International Logistics, the Group’s subsidiary in the freight forwarding division.

Gradwell joins the Group from Nippon Express, a substantial Japanese logistics conglomerate where she held a range of senior management positions and is highly experienced in Fashion, FMCG and e-commerce markets, including European road freight management. Gradwell’s role will be focused on expanding the customer base of the Fashion and Lifestyle division, targeting luxury fashion retailers such as boutiques, individual retail stores, and start-up businesses all over the world.

Customers will have access to Delamode’s one-stop-shop service for fashion retailers, which encompasses every element of the supply chain. Delamode’s international distribution network allows customers to safely and efficiently import items to the UK on a large or small scale, from individual designer items to raw fabric materials from both off and near shore manufacturing locations. Delamode’s Luxury London fashion facility also provides clients with a bonded warehousing solution and garment processing covering all valued added services, which is underpinned by a UK delivery network solution covering every postcode in the UK.

Luke Croome, COO of Xpediator’s Fashion and Lifestyle Division, said: “Penny has significant fashion, ecommerce and FMCG sector experience and I am delighted to welcome Penny as part of the team. There is no doubt demand is growing within the luxury fashion sector for the preference to place their trust in a single logistics provider and as a business we are well positioned to support these clients with every supply chain service.

“Environmental sustainability is also rightly a key talking point for our clients and as an environmentally responsible business I am excited about the plans we have in place to help offset our carbon emission, including the upgrading of our GOH fleet to electric powered vehicles in 2022.”

Gradwell added: “I am delighted to have joined Delamode International Logistics and look forward to adding more high-quality brands to their already impressive customer base.

“It is a fantastic conversation to be able to have with clients when you can offer a true end-to-end service solution delivered completely inhouse. Delamode International Logistics offers every service from international freight management, European distribution, customs clearances with bonded warehousing (London facility), e-commerce solutions, shop fit outs and garment processing covering all value-added services and not forgetting our UK delivery service providing final last mile deliveries of GOH, cartons and pallets.”

Transporeon report: the road to net zero

Multinational logistics software company Transporeon has compiled a report, The Road to Net Zero, following a series of expert interviews with supply chain leaders who share their outlook on how we can meet the EU’s goal to be climate neutral by 2050, as well as focus on immediate steps for today and tomorrow.

According to Transporeon, as representatives of this industry, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to work together to develop new technologies, find new solutions, and not only meet, but exceed the EU’s targets by bringing transportation in sync with the world.

Subtitled Strategies, Concepts, and Best Practices for Supply Chain Sustainability, the report, written by Professor Alan McKinnon of the Kuehne Logistics University, features:

  • Expert interviews with global supply chain leaders
  • An in-depth look at the Road Freight Zero initiative
  • Short-term and long-term strategies for decarbonisation
  • Case studies with Procter & Gamble and Electrolux

The report is available for free download HERE. Transporeon will plant a tree for each report downloaded.

Transporeon report: the road to net zero

Multinational logistics software company Transporeon has compiled a report, The Road to Net Zero, following a series of expert interviews with supply chain leaders who share their outlook on how we can meet the EU’s goal to be climate neutral by 2050, as well as focus on immediate steps for today and tomorrow.

According to Transporeon, as representatives of this industry, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to work together to develop new technologies, find new solutions, and not only meet, but exceed the EU’s targets by bringing transportation in sync with the world.

Subtitled Strategies, Concepts, and Best Practices for Supply Chain Sustainability, the report, written by Professor Alan McKinnon of the Kuehne Logistics University, features:

  • Expert interviews with global supply chain leaders
  • An in-depth look at the Road Freight Zero initiative
  • Short-term and long-term strategies for decarbonisation
  • Case studies with Procter & Gamble and Electrolux

The report is available for free download HERE. Transporeon will plant a tree for each report downloaded.

Forto opens Netherlands office

Forto, a leading provider of digitised freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, is to expand into the Netherlands with a new office in Rotterdam. Leading the Netherlands commercial office is logistics industry expert Marcel Beentjes, as Director Netherlands.

The new office will serve as a regional operational presence for customer account management and sales, logistics management, and service teams supporting Forto customers based in the region. This team will be supported by Forto’s international network of logistics, operational, and technical teams around the world.

Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Forto has a worldwide presence with offices across Germany and Asia (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City). In 2021, the company expanded its European footprint with offices in Copenhagen (Hellerup) and Aarhus, Denmark and Madrid, Spain.

With more than 15 years’ working with logistics, transport, and technology industry companies, Beentjes joins Forto from Uber, where he most recently served as Regional Manager Growth & Expansion for Uber Freight where he was responsible for the commercial team and the successful product launch of the Uber “shipper platform.” Prior to joining Uber Freight, Beenjes spent more than five years at A.P Moeller Maersk, where he most recently was leading commercial teams for the Twill business and previously served as Director of Solution Sales for the Benelux Region.

In these roles he built and led commercial teams and was responsible for growing the business in Europe. Beentjes also spent many years with Yusen Logistics, where he held manager positions in the areas of Route Development, Trade Lane, and Business Development.

“Marcel brings an amazing combination of logistics and technology expertise to Forto,” commented Michael Wax, CEO and co-founder of Forto. “Not only does have a deep understanding of the dynamics of the supply chain, but he has worked with companies working to drive new directions in established markets.”

Forto is leading a new generation of disruptive logistics companies, using its digital platform to simplify interactions, remove process friction, and increase supply chain visibility and transparency — in turn empowering customers with better insights to make smarter decisions. Leading brands across industries ranging from fashion, furniture, and electronics are working with Forto to manage the transport of their goods.

The company has also set the goal to make global trade more sustainable. Already more than half of Forto customers leverage the company’s carbon-offsetting offer, and Forto has implemented the “1+1 Approach” — a programme in which Forto doubles the CO2 compensation of every customer to move towards climate-positive transports.

“Forto has an assembled and amazing team of logistics, technology, and operational experts who share a common vision to drive new efficiencies and transparency in the industry,” commented Beentjes. “What they have achieved so far is truly impressive and I am excited to bring their offering to the Netherlands.”

With operations in The Netherlands, Forto is strategically placed to better serve customers at a key point of international supply chains. The Netherlands is one of Europe’s largest trade hubs and is strategically located within reach of 244 million consumers within 1,000km. It is home to five international sea ports, with the Port of Rotterdam the largest and the Port of Antwerp the second-largest port in Europe. Among its four major airports, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ranks among the third-largest cargo airport in Europe, and sits at the top of the global list of airports with the most direct international connections.

The Netherlands is also driving positive change to fight against climate change with the Dutch government committed to reduce the Netherlands’ greenhouse gas emissions by 49% by 2030. The country’s major transport hubs also have sustainability initiatives in focus with the Port Authority of Rotterdam leading the transition to sustainability energy with a range of initiatives, from pilot programmes to test wind and solar power options, to installation of LED-based lighting. The Schiphol Royal Airport Group “aims to operate zero-emissions and zero-waste airport by 2030”.

Pictured (from left): Erik Muttersbach CTO and Co-Founder, Michael Wax CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Michael Ardelt

Forto opens Netherlands office

Forto, a leading provider of digitised freight forwarding and supply chain solutions, is to expand into the Netherlands with a new office in Rotterdam. Leading the Netherlands commercial office is logistics industry expert Marcel Beentjes, as Director Netherlands.

The new office will serve as a regional operational presence for customer account management and sales, logistics management, and service teams supporting Forto customers based in the region. This team will be supported by Forto’s international network of logistics, operational, and technical teams around the world.

Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, Forto has a worldwide presence with offices across Germany and Asia (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh City). In 2021, the company expanded its European footprint with offices in Copenhagen (Hellerup) and Aarhus, Denmark and Madrid, Spain.

With more than 15 years’ working with logistics, transport, and technology industry companies, Beentjes joins Forto from Uber, where he most recently served as Regional Manager Growth & Expansion for Uber Freight where he was responsible for the commercial team and the successful product launch of the Uber “shipper platform.” Prior to joining Uber Freight, Beenjes spent more than five years at A.P Moeller Maersk, where he most recently was leading commercial teams for the Twill business and previously served as Director of Solution Sales for the Benelux Region.

In these roles he built and led commercial teams and was responsible for growing the business in Europe. Beentjes also spent many years with Yusen Logistics, where he held manager positions in the areas of Route Development, Trade Lane, and Business Development.

“Marcel brings an amazing combination of logistics and technology expertise to Forto,” commented Michael Wax, CEO and co-founder of Forto. “Not only does have a deep understanding of the dynamics of the supply chain, but he has worked with companies working to drive new directions in established markets.”

Forto is leading a new generation of disruptive logistics companies, using its digital platform to simplify interactions, remove process friction, and increase supply chain visibility and transparency — in turn empowering customers with better insights to make smarter decisions. Leading brands across industries ranging from fashion, furniture, and electronics are working with Forto to manage the transport of their goods.

The company has also set the goal to make global trade more sustainable. Already more than half of Forto customers leverage the company’s carbon-offsetting offer, and Forto has implemented the “1+1 Approach” — a programme in which Forto doubles the CO2 compensation of every customer to move towards climate-positive transports.

“Forto has an assembled and amazing team of logistics, technology, and operational experts who share a common vision to drive new efficiencies and transparency in the industry,” commented Beentjes. “What they have achieved so far is truly impressive and I am excited to bring their offering to the Netherlands.”

With operations in The Netherlands, Forto is strategically placed to better serve customers at a key point of international supply chains. The Netherlands is one of Europe’s largest trade hubs and is strategically located within reach of 244 million consumers within 1,000km. It is home to five international sea ports, with the Port of Rotterdam the largest and the Port of Antwerp the second-largest port in Europe. Among its four major airports, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport ranks among the third-largest cargo airport in Europe, and sits at the top of the global list of airports with the most direct international connections.

The Netherlands is also driving positive change to fight against climate change with the Dutch government committed to reduce the Netherlands’ greenhouse gas emissions by 49% by 2030. The country’s major transport hubs also have sustainability initiatives in focus with the Port Authority of Rotterdam leading the transition to sustainability energy with a range of initiatives, from pilot programmes to test wind and solar power options, to installation of LED-based lighting. The Schiphol Royal Airport Group “aims to operate zero-emissions and zero-waste airport by 2030”.

Pictured (from left): Erik Muttersbach CTO and Co-Founder, Michael Wax CEO and Co-Founder, Dr. Michael Ardelt

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