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Day: 7 March 2022

Century Logistics acquired by Metro Supply Chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Metro Supply Chain Holdings (UK) Limited, a division of Canadian-based Metro Supply Chain, has acquired Century Logistics, a long-standing third-party logistics provider based in Suffolk, UK.

“We welcome Century Logistics to the Metro Supply Chain team. Century’s wide capabilities and customer-focused culture complement Metro Supply Chain’s strengths as a strategic supply chain solutions partner to some of the world’s fastest-growing and most reputable brands,” explains Martin Graham, Group President of Metro Supply Chain. “This acquisition deepens our operations in the UK and Europe and broadens our service offerings for UK-based customers looking to expand into the United States or Canada.”

For decades, Century Logistics has been integral to helping local and multinational consumer packaged goods brands scale through warehousing, co-packing, ecommerce fulfilment, product repairs and product returns. Managing seven distribution sites, Century Logistics is strategically located along the A14 corridor between the bustling Golden Triangle and the port of Felixstowe, the UK’s biggest and busiest container port.

“Since opening our first commercial warehouse in 1998, Century Logistics’ driving focus has been to invest where our customers need us most, which, in recent years, has meant supporting their significant ecommerce growth,” says Stephen Basey-Fisher (pictured), founder and chairman of Century Logistics. “We’re thrilled to join Metro Supply Chain and be able to offer customers here and abroad a true end-to-end, harmonized experience that will delight their consumers wherever and whenever they shop.”

Metro Supply Chain has been operating in the UK since 2016 when it acquired Evolution Time Critical, a premium provider of 24-hour emergency logistics for companies around the world, with offices in Derby, UK, the United States, Portugal, Germany and China. In 2021, the company expanded operations to include five facilities in Wales dedicated to defence sector logistics. With the acquisition of Century Logistics, Metro Supply Chain manages more than 12 million square feet in over 80 distribution centres across North America and Europe.

“Century Logistics founders Stephen and Ann Basey-Fisher have built an impressive customer-focused operation and we are excited to welcome the full Century team to Metro Supply Chain,” says Chiko Nanji, founder and CEO of Metro Supply Chain. “We look forward to providing greater synergies and opportunities for our UK-based customers who are looking to grow their operations in new geographies and capabilities.”

 

 

Century Logistics acquired by Metro Supply Chain

Posted on by David Priestman

Metro Supply Chain Holdings (UK) Limited, a division of Canadian-based Metro Supply Chain, has acquired Century Logistics, a long-standing third-party logistics provider based in Suffolk, UK.

“We welcome Century Logistics to the Metro Supply Chain team. Century’s wide capabilities and customer-focused culture complement Metro Supply Chain’s strengths as a strategic supply chain solutions partner to some of the world’s fastest-growing and most reputable brands,” explains Martin Graham, Group President of Metro Supply Chain. “This acquisition deepens our operations in the UK and Europe and broadens our service offerings for UK-based customers looking to expand into the United States or Canada.”

For decades, Century Logistics has been integral to helping local and multinational consumer packaged goods brands scale through warehousing, co-packing, ecommerce fulfilment, product repairs and product returns. Managing seven distribution sites, Century Logistics is strategically located along the A14 corridor between the bustling Golden Triangle and the port of Felixstowe, the UK’s biggest and busiest container port.

“Since opening our first commercial warehouse in 1998, Century Logistics’ driving focus has been to invest where our customers need us most, which, in recent years, has meant supporting their significant ecommerce growth,” says Stephen Basey-Fisher (pictured), founder and chairman of Century Logistics. “We’re thrilled to join Metro Supply Chain and be able to offer customers here and abroad a true end-to-end, harmonized experience that will delight their consumers wherever and whenever they shop.”

Metro Supply Chain has been operating in the UK since 2016 when it acquired Evolution Time Critical, a premium provider of 24-hour emergency logistics for companies around the world, with offices in Derby, UK, the United States, Portugal, Germany and China. In 2021, the company expanded operations to include five facilities in Wales dedicated to defence sector logistics. With the acquisition of Century Logistics, Metro Supply Chain manages more than 12 million square feet in over 80 distribution centres across North America and Europe.

“Century Logistics founders Stephen and Ann Basey-Fisher have built an impressive customer-focused operation and we are excited to welcome the full Century team to Metro Supply Chain,” says Chiko Nanji, founder and CEO of Metro Supply Chain. “We look forward to providing greater synergies and opportunities for our UK-based customers who are looking to grow their operations in new geographies and capabilities.”

 

 

Venray DC leased to CEVA Logistics

Posted on by Keith McKinley

SEGRO, a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property, has fully leased SEGRO Logistics Centre Venray to CEVA Logistics Netherlands.

“We are pleased to welcome CEVA Logistics Netherlands to this new development. The brand new centre was completed at the end of February, so CEVA can immediately start delivering flexibility and capacity to existing operations,” says Eelco Ouwerkerk, head of SEGRO Netherlands

“We are delighted with SEGRO’s new, ultra-modern location in Venray. This enables us to implement the growth of CEVA Logistics in Benelux for both new and existing customers in diverse sectors. The building fits perfectly within the sustainability strategy of CEVA Logistics and is centrally located in our campus structure in Venray. We are here for the long term and looking forward to further development of our cooperation with SEGRO,” says Jan de Breet, head of Real Estate, Facility and Procurement CEVA Logistics Benelux & Switzerland.

The high-value distribution centre (HVDC), located on De Blakt industrial estate on Edisonstraat in Venray, has a total area of 42,800 sq m and will be certified BREEAM Outstanding. Sustainability and innovation are central to the design and landscaping, making a major contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions, to limiting the energy costs of the tenant and to the wellbeing of the end user.

This is reflected in sustainably generated energy, batteries for energy storage, sustainable and fire-retardant wooden facade cladding, charging points for electric cars and bicycles, LED lighting, and underfloor heating /cooling in the warehouse and in the offices. In addition, more than 2,500 sq m of vegetation will be planted in the outdoor area, with green-accentuated footpaths. This first-class location in Venray is the fourth CEVA Logistics site on the De Blakt industrial estate, increasing the opportunities for expansion and flexibility of existing and new operations.

similar news

Contract Signed for New Warehouse Project

 

Venray DC leased to CEVA Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

SEGRO, a leading owner, manager and developer of modern warehouses and industrial property, has fully leased SEGRO Logistics Centre Venray to CEVA Logistics Netherlands.

“We are pleased to welcome CEVA Logistics Netherlands to this new development. The brand new centre was completed at the end of February, so CEVA can immediately start delivering flexibility and capacity to existing operations,” says Eelco Ouwerkerk, head of SEGRO Netherlands

“We are delighted with SEGRO’s new, ultra-modern location in Venray. This enables us to implement the growth of CEVA Logistics in Benelux for both new and existing customers in diverse sectors. The building fits perfectly within the sustainability strategy of CEVA Logistics and is centrally located in our campus structure in Venray. We are here for the long term and looking forward to further development of our cooperation with SEGRO,” says Jan de Breet, head of Real Estate, Facility and Procurement CEVA Logistics Benelux & Switzerland.

The high-value distribution centre (HVDC), located on De Blakt industrial estate on Edisonstraat in Venray, has a total area of 42,800 sq m and will be certified BREEAM Outstanding. Sustainability and innovation are central to the design and landscaping, making a major contribution to the reduction of CO2 emissions, to limiting the energy costs of the tenant and to the wellbeing of the end user.

This is reflected in sustainably generated energy, batteries for energy storage, sustainable and fire-retardant wooden facade cladding, charging points for electric cars and bicycles, LED lighting, and underfloor heating /cooling in the warehouse and in the offices. In addition, more than 2,500 sq m of vegetation will be planted in the outdoor area, with green-accentuated footpaths. This first-class location in Venray is the fourth CEVA Logistics site on the De Blakt industrial estate, increasing the opportunities for expansion and flexibility of existing and new operations.

similar news

Contract Signed for New Warehouse Project

 

Transporeon partners with BlueBox Systems

Posted on by David Priestman

Supply chain digitalisation expert Transporeon and air freight real-time tracking platform provider BlueBox Systems are now working on joint solutions to enable even more transparency in air freight.

In an industry such as logistics, where increasingly precise figures and schedules are the order of the day, digitalisation is the logical consequence in terms of further development and optimisation of supply chains. With new technologies in tracking and the retrieval of logistics data in seconds, one’s shipments can be tracked precisely – an overview and transparency that the industry would have dreamed of 20 years ago.

Transporeon is one of the pioneers in this field and has quickly become one of the most important players in the field. It is constantly expanding its network and capabilities. In this context, the latest partnership between Transporeon and BlueBox Systems makes perfect sense.

Transporeon, with over 1,000 employees and offices around the world, offers a range of successful transport logistics platforms that it uses to connect all the players involved in a supply chain. This has resulted in one of the largest cloud-based logistics platforms in the world with a focus on process optimisation. Through the partnership with BlueBox Systems, solutions are now also to be developed that include air freight.

With its BlueBoxAir solution, BlueBox Systems offers a product that enables companies and logistics providers to track their air freight to the minute, analyse loading times at airports and thus plan optimal supply chains. In addition, the platform offers the possibility of displaying the respective CO2 emissions for each shipment.

Accordingly, the partnership of these two companies is very good news for the logistics industry, which will further advance goal-oriented digitalisation through new products.

“Transporeon was a kind of dream partner for us from the very beginning because, like us, they combine many years of industry experience with cutting-edge technology. A joint solution will have a lasting impact on the industry for years to come, I am sure,” says Martin Schulze, Managing Director of BlueBox Systems.

 

Transporeon partners with BlueBox Systems

Posted on by David Priestman

Supply chain digitalisation expert Transporeon and air freight real-time tracking platform provider BlueBox Systems are now working on joint solutions to enable even more transparency in air freight.

In an industry such as logistics, where increasingly precise figures and schedules are the order of the day, digitalisation is the logical consequence in terms of further development and optimisation of supply chains. With new technologies in tracking and the retrieval of logistics data in seconds, one’s shipments can be tracked precisely – an overview and transparency that the industry would have dreamed of 20 years ago.

Transporeon is one of the pioneers in this field and has quickly become one of the most important players in the field. It is constantly expanding its network and capabilities. In this context, the latest partnership between Transporeon and BlueBox Systems makes perfect sense.

Transporeon, with over 1,000 employees and offices around the world, offers a range of successful transport logistics platforms that it uses to connect all the players involved in a supply chain. This has resulted in one of the largest cloud-based logistics platforms in the world with a focus on process optimisation. Through the partnership with BlueBox Systems, solutions are now also to be developed that include air freight.

With its BlueBoxAir solution, BlueBox Systems offers a product that enables companies and logistics providers to track their air freight to the minute, analyse loading times at airports and thus plan optimal supply chains. In addition, the platform offers the possibility of displaying the respective CO2 emissions for each shipment.

Accordingly, the partnership of these two companies is very good news for the logistics industry, which will further advance goal-oriented digitalisation through new products.

“Transporeon was a kind of dream partner for us from the very beginning because, like us, they combine many years of industry experience with cutting-edge technology. A joint solution will have a lasting impact on the industry for years to come, I am sure,” says Martin Schulze, Managing Director of BlueBox Systems.

 

BIFA supports National Careers Week

Posted on by David Priestman

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is supporting this week’s National Careers Week 2022 with a series of events aimed at demonstrating its commitment to promoting careers in logistics.

National Careers Week 2022 runs from 7th to 12 March and is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK.

The aim is to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people leaving education.

With youth unemployment remaining high and BIFA members concerned about the shortage of certain industry skills, there has never been a bigger need for careers guidance to be promoted.

Throughout the week, BIFA will undertake a number of events, supported by a range of resources on its social media pages to encourage members to expand their own learning; showcasing the range of training courses available from BIFA’s Training team.

For BIFA, the week will commence with an online seminar entitled ’10 Reasons To Consider A Career In Logistics’ at 13.00 GMT/14.00 CET on 7th March.

In it, BIFA executive director, Carl Hobbis, who is responsible for all elements of BIFA’s Freight and Customs training, will be joined by Kyle Lawrence, chair of the London East region of BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) – a networking group set-up for young people or those new to the industry – and finalist in 2018 for Apprentice of the Year in the BIFA Freight Service awards.

In this interactive session, using Kahoot, Carl will provide guidance to those considering a career in logistics, whilst Kyle will deliver the perspective of young people within the YFN about what they think of the industry since joining it.

Thursday 10th March at 15.30 GMT/16.30 CET will see BIFA’s latest Young Forwarder Network event taking place with guest speaker Sam Greenhalgh, vice president of sales Europe at Zencargo and host of industry podcast ‘What’s In The Box?’.

Sam’s career in the shipping industry started at the age of 16, when he joined a leading service provider on an apprenticeship scheme. Since then, he’s been on an incredible journey working in various roles. He is passionate about the freight and logistics business, and his podcast brings together industry leaders to discuss the hot topics and trends in logistics.

BIFA hopes that Sam’s story will inspire and empower young forwarders to consider their next steps in the industry.

The trade association’s events will culminate with a free one-hour online event on Friday 11th March at 14.:00 GMT/15.00 CET during which James Billingham, a director of the Skills Office Network, will provide a comprehensive overview of how BIFA members can upskill their existing workforce by using apprenticeships and will show how they can help to resolve their ongoing skills shortages.

Billingham has over 20 years of experience in logistics skills and training. He worked closely with BIFA, and a group of freight forwarding companies, during the development of the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship, and advises employers and training providers on all matters concerning apprenticeships.

Hobbis says: “National Careers Week 2022 is the perfect platform to advise and inspire the next generation as they enter the world of work. The week encourages education providers to bring together students, local employers and advisers through careers events and activities.”

In addition to inspiring school/college leavers, BIFA believes that this week will also be a great opportunity for those already in logistics to focus on the next step in their careers.

“We are urging BIFA Members to sign up, join up and promote the logistics industry as a career of choice within their local communities.

“In essence every week is National Careers Week for BIFA, and we remain committed to promoting logistics as an industry of choice for the next generation, plus supporting our members in achieving their own career ambitions.”

 

BIFA supports National Careers Week

Posted on by David Priestman

The British International Freight Association (BIFA) is supporting this week’s National Careers Week 2022 with a series of events aimed at demonstrating its commitment to promoting careers in logistics.

National Careers Week 2022 runs from 7th to 12 March and is a celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK.

The aim is to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar to help support young people leaving education.

With youth unemployment remaining high and BIFA members concerned about the shortage of certain industry skills, there has never been a bigger need for careers guidance to be promoted.

Throughout the week, BIFA will undertake a number of events, supported by a range of resources on its social media pages to encourage members to expand their own learning; showcasing the range of training courses available from BIFA’s Training team.

For BIFA, the week will commence with an online seminar entitled ’10 Reasons To Consider A Career In Logistics’ at 13.00 GMT/14.00 CET on 7th March.

In it, BIFA executive director, Carl Hobbis, who is responsible for all elements of BIFA’s Freight and Customs training, will be joined by Kyle Lawrence, chair of the London East region of BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) – a networking group set-up for young people or those new to the industry – and finalist in 2018 for Apprentice of the Year in the BIFA Freight Service awards.

In this interactive session, using Kahoot, Carl will provide guidance to those considering a career in logistics, whilst Kyle will deliver the perspective of young people within the YFN about what they think of the industry since joining it.

Thursday 10th March at 15.30 GMT/16.30 CET will see BIFA’s latest Young Forwarder Network event taking place with guest speaker Sam Greenhalgh, vice president of sales Europe at Zencargo and host of industry podcast ‘What’s In The Box?’.

Sam’s career in the shipping industry started at the age of 16, when he joined a leading service provider on an apprenticeship scheme. Since then, he’s been on an incredible journey working in various roles. He is passionate about the freight and logistics business, and his podcast brings together industry leaders to discuss the hot topics and trends in logistics.

BIFA hopes that Sam’s story will inspire and empower young forwarders to consider their next steps in the industry.

The trade association’s events will culminate with a free one-hour online event on Friday 11th March at 14.:00 GMT/15.00 CET during which James Billingham, a director of the Skills Office Network, will provide a comprehensive overview of how BIFA members can upskill their existing workforce by using apprenticeships and will show how they can help to resolve their ongoing skills shortages.

Billingham has over 20 years of experience in logistics skills and training. He worked closely with BIFA, and a group of freight forwarding companies, during the development of the International Freight Forwarding Specialist apprenticeship, and advises employers and training providers on all matters concerning apprenticeships.

Hobbis says: “National Careers Week 2022 is the perfect platform to advise and inspire the next generation as they enter the world of work. The week encourages education providers to bring together students, local employers and advisers through careers events and activities.”

In addition to inspiring school/college leavers, BIFA believes that this week will also be a great opportunity for those already in logistics to focus on the next step in their careers.

“We are urging BIFA Members to sign up, join up and promote the logistics industry as a career of choice within their local communities.

“In essence every week is National Careers Week for BIFA, and we remain committed to promoting logistics as an industry of choice for the next generation, plus supporting our members in achieving their own career ambitions.”

 

Amazon chooses Flexi fleet for Dubai DC

Posted on by David Priestman

Amazon has ordered a fleet of six Flexi Truck articulated forklift trucks for its DXB3 fulfilment centre in Dubai Logistics City, UAE.

The e-commerce site launched in the UAE in May 2019 and, spread over 32,700 sq m and stocked with more than four million products, the DXB3 site is Amazon’s largest fulfilment centre facility in the country with in excess of 650  staff employed there.

Amazon’s new Flexi Trucks feature digital electric motor technology that allows independent twin front-wheel drive, hydraulic functions and the truck’s unique power-steering motor to be controlled digitally – ensuring the most productive, energy-efficient and safe driving performance throughout the working day.

The control systems at the heart of the Flexis deliver higher productivity combined with significantly reduced operating and maintenance costs, while the trucks’ VNA functionality and ability to work both inside and outside the building, make it the ideal choice for Amazon’s UAE operation.

Operational efficiency at the Dubai facility is further enhanced thanks to an integrated lead-acid battery charging solution that dramatically reduces Amazon’s overall energy consumption.

Featuring ‘call-forward’ alert technology to identify the most appropriate fully charged battery when a change is due, the charge system allows Amazon to operate with only two batteries per truck on a three shift usage pattern to minimise materials handling fleet running costs.

Flexi Trucks are built at hubs in the UK and Taiwan by Narrow Aisle Ltd. International sales account for some 40% of Narrow Aisle’s business and a global network of partners provides a full range of after sales support services to Flexi Truck users in some 63 countries worldwide.

Narrow Aisle Ltd’s managing director, John Maguire, commented: “The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design is ideally suited to the modern fulfilment centre operation. Flexi Trucks save space, increase productivity and allow safe access to any stacking aisle at all times.

“The Flexi’s ability to work in very narrow aisles means 30% more pallet and shelving locations can be designed into storage systems compared with traditional wide aisle operations while comparison tests have highlighted that Flexis are 25% more productive during a typical shift.

“To achieve optimum online order fulfilment performance it is important to deploy the most suitable materials handling equipment and the Flexi Truck articulated forklift-based intralogistics solution delivers hugely improved productivity and increased safety for warehouse staff as they carry out a range of customer order picking duties at lower levels and at the same time Flexis can stack and replenish in complete safety at height within warehouse aisles.”

Amazon chooses Flexi fleet for Dubai DC

Posted on by David Priestman

Amazon has ordered a fleet of six Flexi Truck articulated forklift trucks for its DXB3 fulfilment centre in Dubai Logistics City, UAE.

The e-commerce site launched in the UAE in May 2019 and, spread over 32,700 sq m and stocked with more than four million products, the DXB3 site is Amazon’s largest fulfilment centre facility in the country with in excess of 650  staff employed there.

Amazon’s new Flexi Trucks feature digital electric motor technology that allows independent twin front-wheel drive, hydraulic functions and the truck’s unique power-steering motor to be controlled digitally – ensuring the most productive, energy-efficient and safe driving performance throughout the working day.

The control systems at the heart of the Flexis deliver higher productivity combined with significantly reduced operating and maintenance costs, while the trucks’ VNA functionality and ability to work both inside and outside the building, make it the ideal choice for Amazon’s UAE operation.

Operational efficiency at the Dubai facility is further enhanced thanks to an integrated lead-acid battery charging solution that dramatically reduces Amazon’s overall energy consumption.

Featuring ‘call-forward’ alert technology to identify the most appropriate fully charged battery when a change is due, the charge system allows Amazon to operate with only two batteries per truck on a three shift usage pattern to minimise materials handling fleet running costs.

Flexi Trucks are built at hubs in the UK and Taiwan by Narrow Aisle Ltd. International sales account for some 40% of Narrow Aisle’s business and a global network of partners provides a full range of after sales support services to Flexi Truck users in some 63 countries worldwide.

Narrow Aisle Ltd’s managing director, John Maguire, commented: “The Flexi Truck’s iconic articulated design is ideally suited to the modern fulfilment centre operation. Flexi Trucks save space, increase productivity and allow safe access to any stacking aisle at all times.

“The Flexi’s ability to work in very narrow aisles means 30% more pallet and shelving locations can be designed into storage systems compared with traditional wide aisle operations while comparison tests have highlighted that Flexis are 25% more productive during a typical shift.

“To achieve optimum online order fulfilment performance it is important to deploy the most suitable materials handling equipment and the Flexi Truck articulated forklift-based intralogistics solution delivers hugely improved productivity and increased safety for warehouse staff as they carry out a range of customer order picking duties at lower levels and at the same time Flexis can stack and replenish in complete safety at height within warehouse aisles.”

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