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Tag: Davies Turner

Material Handling Upgrade for Heathrow Air Cargo Operator

Posted on by David Priestman

Davies Turner Air Cargo has made a significant investment in material handling equipment (MHE) at its Heathrow logistics hub.

This strategic upgrade by one of the UK’s largest independent air freight and logistics businesses is aimed at enhancing both operational efficiency and safety, solidifying the company’s commitment to maintaining industry-leading standards.

The existing fleet of materials handling equipment has been replaced with seven electric forklift trucks, three reach trucks and one battery changing truck. All are fitted with high tech batteries and chargers.

From the Bobcat MHE range, the 11 vehicles have been procured on a lease contract from Rushlift, a national full-service suppliers of multi-brand materials handling and ground support equipment, with which Davies Turner Air Cargo has partnered for nearly 30 years.

The new MHE fleet will ensure that Davies Turner Air Cargo’s Heathrow hub continues to operate at peak performance, even as demand and operational complexities grow.

Safety remains a top priority for Davies Turner Air Cargo, and the new fleet includes advanced safety technologies designed to reduce accidents and improve operational safety, underlining the company’s commitment to HSE matters.

Among the key innovations are perimeter proximity lights, which surround the equipment, enhancing visibility and safety in crowded or low-light conditions, which are complemented by the addition of flat LED chevron strip lights fitted on the counterweight.

Progressive directional arrow safety lights that appear on both the front and back of the equipment, depending on the direction of travel, have replaced the traditional blue spot reverse light, offering clearer directional guidance, when shone on the floor, in the directional path of the vehicle.

Fork cameras provide operators with better visibility when the forks are raised, or through the mast, reducing the risk of accidents during operation; whilst pedestrian detection cameras identify people within a set proximity, automatically slowing down the truck to prevent collisions.

Each truck is fitted with an RFID beacon to detect other trucks on a potential collision course. These beacons interact with red flashing beacons on door frames and blind spots to alert other operators, further reducing the risk of accidents.

“As part of one of the UK’s leading freight and logistics businesses, Davies Turner Air Cargo is always striving to improve our operational capabilities and the safety of our workforce,” said Oliver Simmons, general manager – Heathrow Services at Davies Turner Air Cargo.

“This investment in cutting-edge MHE technology at our Heathrow facility is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in the logistics industry. We are confident that these upgrades will enhance our service delivery, ensuring that we continue to meet and exceed the expectations of our clients.”

Andrew Gazzard, key account manager at Rushlift added: “Working with Davies Turner over many years has enabled a true working relationship to develop, affording a greater understanding of ever-changing needs.

“Its commitment to ensuring it has the most up-to-date reliable and safe equipment, along with around the clock support has meant that with our flexible and consultative approach to business, our long partnership continues to thrive.

“We are pleased to introduce the new Bobcat range of forklift trucks along with recently launched safety innovations from our partners FTC, and where suitable, to supply equipment outside of the Bobcat portfolio with confidence.”

This significant investment reaffirms Davies Turner Air Cargo’s position as a leader in the logistics industry, with a focus on combining advanced technology with operational excellence.

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Medical Device Supplier’s Long-term Logistics Partnership

Posted on by David Priestman

Owen Mumford, a global company for the design, manufacture, and advancement of medical devices, has renewed its long-standing logistics partnership with Davies Turner for an additional three-year term, further solidifying the two companies’ collaborative efforts in logistics and supply chain management.

The renewed contract, which emphasises a long-term commitment, will continue to see Davies Turner providing comprehensive UK logistics solutions, EU exports, and NHS fulfilment services for Owen Mumford. This collaboration is pivotal in ensuring the seamless distribution of Owen Mumford’s innovative medical devices, including its renowned pharmaceutical solutions, across the UK and Europe.

Paul Jobin, Global Logistics Manager at Owen Mumford, expressed his enthusiasm for the extended partnership, stating: “Our relationship with Davies Turner has been instrumental in maintaining the high standards of our logistics operations. The team’s expertise and dedication in handling our UK logistics, especially the critical NHS fulfilment services, has been exemplary. We are thrilled to continue this partnership and look forward to furthering our mutual success.”

Davies Turner, operating from one of its strategically located logistics fulfilment centres in Bristol, will continue to manage the logistics operations critical to Owen Mumford’s supply chain. The focus will remain on ensuring efficiency, reliability, and the highest standards of service, particularly in the pharmaceutical and NHS sectors.

Alan Williams, director at Davies Turner, commented on the contract renewal, “We are proud to extend our partnership with Owen Mumford. Our shared commitment to excellence in logistics underscores the strength and success of our collaboration. We are dedicated to supporting Owen Mumford’s logistics needs and contributing to its ongoing growth and success.”

This renewed agreement marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Owen Mumford and Davies Turner, reinforcing their dedication to delivering high-quality medical devices and ensuring robust supply chain solutions. Both companies are committed to continuous improvement and innovation, striving to enhance their services and meet the evolving needs of the healthcare sector.

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Perfect 10 for Haulage Alliance

Posted on by David Priestman

A haulage alliance between Davies Turner and D.Perfect & Sons, that is celebrating its tenth anniversary, is proving to be a wise and mutually beneficial deal for both parties.

Recognised as one of the UK’s leading independent freight forwarding and logistics companies, Davies Turner said the alliance with D.Perfect & Sons, which specialises in general haulage and container transport, provides it with a dedicated HGV fleet to move consol containers between its regional distribution centre in Dartford and the ports of Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton.

With the domestic and international haulage market still in a difficult situation, with issues over a lack of drivers, port congestion; and forward bookings, this alliance is providing surety of service for Davies Turner’s international ocean freight import and export consol services.

Tony Cole, director of Davies Turner & Co Ltd, and head of the company’s ocean freight operations says: “We find that merchant haulage, which our alliance with D.Perfect & Sons offers, enables us to book haulage in advance and guarantees that the tractor unit will be available when and where we want it. It helps us to secure timely transport of our clients’ consol containers, enabling us to deliver the flexibility, timeliness and reliability that they require.”

Freight partnership

Dave Perfect, managing director of D.Perfect & Sons, added: “Davies Turner is one of our largest customers and an excellent partner. It is really pleasing that our relationship continues to develop and grow. To mark our ten-year working relationship we have recently had one of our Volvo FH5 tractor units that we have added to our fleet sign written with Davies Turner’s corporate livery.”

Cole concludes: “Davies Turner places great value on long term alliances and partnerships, and believes that an alliance like that with D.Perfect & Sons helps to differentiate it from many of its peers in the freight and logistics sector.”

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Logistics trio acquire Freight Software Business

Posted on by David Priestman

Following a lengthy due diligence process, the Cardinal Partnership, Davies Turner and Woodland Group have created a holdings company and purchased UK-based freight software company Forward Computers Ltd from the Freight Software Group.

The joint venture is called Forward Computers Alliance Limited and is the vehicle through which the three leading independent freight forwarding and supply chain management companies now jointly own Forward Computers Limited, which trades as Forward Solutions.

Both the Cardinal Partnership and Woodland Group are long-standing clients of Forward Computers, and have been investing and building their own digital logistics software in-house for many years. Davies Turner has been assessing the freight software company’s products as part of an exercise aimed at enhancing its existing freight management systems that have been developed in-house to date.

Freight Software Group acquired Forward Computers Ltd in 2019, with its products rebranded to trade under the Forward Solutions name in 2021, and will continue to own BoxTop Technologies.

Speaking about the reason for the sale, Christopher Hewlett CEO of Freight Software Group (pictured above) said:

“I was excited when two existing clients and a potential client made it clear that they were keen to combine forces to invest in the business, and utilise their huge practical experience in the operation of freight forwarding and supply chain management services to influence the design of next-generation systems. The development will likely result in an increase in the number of staff employed by Forward Computers, which will remain headquartered in Nottingham, whilst having no negative impact on the existing IT structures of the three joint venture partners.”

Speaking on behalf of the new owner, Brian Hay (pictured left), CEO of the Cardinal Partnership said: “We welcome this opportunity to acquire one of the UK’s foremost suppliers of software to the freight transport sector. With hundreds of years’ collective experience in providing multimodal solutions across air, sea, road, and rail freight, the three partners understand how the industry is evolving, and how freight management software needs to evolve alongside to offer a range of processes and systems that deliver success.

“As co-owners, we look forward to supporting Forward Computers in further developing its range of software solutions that help its clients adapt to an ever-changing landscape. Those clients, many of which have business relations with the joint venture’s three owners already, can rest assured that Forward Computers trading under the Forward Solutions brand, will continue to be run as a completely independent business, with client confidentiality assured.”

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Five-year Logistics Contract Won

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Clothing and fashion brand, Lyle & Scott has selected Davies Turner Logistics to provide third party warehousing, and management of final mile logistics fulfilment and distribution services across the UK for the next five years.

Signing the contract with Lyle & Scott coincided with the opening of Davies Turner’s latest logistics fulfilment centre at Atherstone in the Midlands; its seventh bespoke 3PL facility in the UK; from which Lyle & Scott’s UK storage and order fulfilment requirements will be managed.

The omnichannel contract encompasses all of Lyle & Scott’s business activities across retail and wholesale outlets; online channels; as well as a variety of value-added services such as quality control; and reverse logistics operations.

Emily Stephenson (pictured), managing director at Davies Turner Logistics says: ““Davies Turner is well known for offering retail brands a high degree of logistics service flexibility to support their multichannel operations, providing both the scalability and the customisation they need for their supply chains.

“We have put together a dedicated team to work with Lyle & Scott to optimise management of its inventory and order fulfilment throughout its whole supply chain in the UK so that it can make good on its promises to customers.

“We are looking forward to building a mutually beneficial relationship with the company.”

Andrew Stellakis, director of IT and operations at Lyle & Scott says: “Lyle & Scott was formed in 1874 with the ambition of making high-quality knitted garments focusing on the importance of quality and craftsmanship.

“During a very competitive tender process it became clear that those principles underpin Davies Turner’s logistics operations and have done so since its own formation four years prior to that of Lyle & Scott.

“We were particularly impressed about the visibility that Davies Turner offers of the whole supply chain, which will allow stock to be moved from one channel to another and help to keep all Lyle & Scott’s outlets supplied. Our willingness to sign a five-year contract is a clear demonstration of Lyle & Scott’s confidence in Davies Turner Logistics ability to meet our challenging logistics fulfilment and distribution requirements across the UK.”

Stephenson concludes: “The new contract and the new property marks the next step in Davies Turner’s ongoing growth of our 3PL supply chain management business and we look forward to welcoming other businesses to join Lyle & Scott at our latest fulfilment centre.

“The new multi-user hub is a fully Customs-bonded facility, with 140,000 sq ft of warehousing, incorporating a high bay fully racked area, as well as four 35,000 sq ft mezzanine floors for order fulfilment operations.

“As one of the first occupants, Lyle & Scott is showing that it understands Davies Turner’s belief that such facilities enhance its capacity to deliver logistics fulfilment services to businesses seeking to outsource their supply chain management requirements.”

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Point of Origin Quality Control in Morocco

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Leading freight forwarding and logistics company, Davies Turner is launching the tried-and-tested point of origin quality control and compliance procedures developed for clients sourcing from Turkey, into a new operation for clients sourcing from Morocco.

The development has seen Davies Turner open a quality control inspection facility with its partner in Morocco for a large online fashion retailer, which sources product from the country, for shipment to fulfilment centres in the UK, the USA and mainland Europe.

Until recently, Davies Turner has provided in-country warehousing, consolidation and overland trailer services from Morocco to the client’s fulfilment centres in the UK and mainland Europe, as well as air and ocean freight services to the fulfilment centres in North America.

Quality control on the commodities contained in those shipments typically took place at the fulfilment centres once the trailers arrived at destination, with products not featuring on the retailer’s website as being available for order until they had cleared all quality control procedures after delivery to the fulfilment centres.

With the new system, those quality control procedures will take place upstream in Tangier. This means that any items from a consignment that are selected for a quality control check, which fail to meet the online retailer’s quality achievement rate, will achieve an earlier fault/concern capture from the consignment origin, enabling them to be returned to the supplier in country for reprocessing.
This will facilitate a reduction in the possibility of ‘sub standard’ product departing from the origin hub in Morocco, which improves freight and transportation costs, whilst also reducing ‘sub standard’ product arriving at the fulfilment centres overseas, improving space and labour costs at those centres.

Alan Williams, Director of Davies Turner & Co Ltd says: “Based on past experience in Turkey, this re-engineering of the management of these particular aspects of the online retailer’s supply chain should improve the overall transit times from receipt of consignments in Tangier to availability on the online retailer’s website for purchase. The point of origin quality control process takes place on the day after arrival of the shipments into the Tangier freight hub.

“The re-engineered service is underpinned by our award-winning P2D (purchase to delivery) software system. This is a system that has been designed in house by our IT and business analyst team, which provides an online portal that enables customers to monitor and manage shipments at SKU & Purchase Order (PO) level, delivering full visibility of products moving through their supply chain for all concerned.

“By re-engineering the part of the online retailer’s supply chain for which we are responsible we are improving visibility from origin, of product quality, appearance, composition, compliance and presentation. Through the application of the P2D online portal, we are improving reporting tools for the online retailer on supplier trends, performance, developments and successes. We are also improving lead times for the client from point of origin reception through to the the availability to sell, whilst reducing costs at various points in the supply chain.”

3PL Welcomes Plan for UK-Türkiye FTA

Posted on by David Priestman

As a market leader in overland trailer services between Türkiye and the UK, Davies Turner welcomes today’s news that the UK and Türkiye have committed to negotiate an updated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) designed to deepen the trade relationship between the two countries.

Tariff-free arrangements like the one signed in 2020, which was rolled over from when the UK left the EU, covering goods, but not areas such as services, digital and data, support the trading relationship between the UK and Türkiye, and bring benefits to UK importers and exporters, as well as the freight forwarding and logistics companies that manage their supply chains.

That’s the opinion of Alan Williams, company director, who adds that a new broader deal could boost trade and help businesses maximise opportunities in this area.

As a major facilitator of trade between the two countries, Davies Turner operates multiple daily two-way overland and multimodal trailer services between the UK and Türkiye in a long-standing partnership with Istanbul-based Ekol, one of the country’s largest freight and warehousing operators.

UK-Türkiye FTA

Williams adds: “The tariff-free trading agreement signed in 2020, along with the problems in long distance supply chains, which have increasingly prompted traders to turn to Türkiye as an alternative source of supply to countries in Asia, has had a major impact on the uptick in trading volumes between the two countries over the last two years. In welcoming the news, we would also be delighted to provide input into any consultation that is conducted ahead of the start of negotiations, which is expected in 2024.”

Davies Turner’s Health and Safety Hat-trick

Posted on by David Priestman

For a third year in a row, the health and safety standards across the Davies Turner Group have led the UK Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) to presenting the company with an internationally-recognised award.

The leading global freight forwarding and logistics group has received a third consecutive RoSPA Gold Award in recognition of the high standards of its safety performance during the period from January 01, 2022, to December 31, 2022. Carl Inman (pictured), group health & safety, insurance and environmental manager, says the RoSPA Gold Award is a highly coveted and respected accolade in what is the UK’s longest-running H&S industry awards.

He adds: “In a very competitive awards scheme, to receive a Gold Award once is an achievement. To score a hat trick, with a Gold Award in each of the last three years, signposts Davies Turner’s ongoing commitment to continually improving the standards of health and safety within the workplace. The latest award, along with our other certifications, adds to Davies Turner’s list of achievements in the field of internationally-recognised standards of quality, health & safety, and environmental management.

“It further demonstrates our commitment to all of the company’s stakeholders, including our clients that are increasingly seeking greater evidence that Davies Turner is fully engaged with environmental, social and compliance issues, as they seek reassurance that they are dealing with a company that fully understands and effectively manages its corporate social responsibilities.”

Alan Williams, director of Davies Turner PLC, who chairs the company’s health and safety meetings, adds: ”A commitment to health and safety, as well as environmental responsibilities, underpins the freight forwarding and logistics activities provided by the company, as well as making sound business sense.”

The latest RoSPA Gold Award adds to the ISO14001:2015 Environmental Management System Certification that is in place at several of the Davies Turner Group’s regional distribution centres across the UK.

Forklift Fleet Keeps Productivity High for 3PL

Posted on by David Priestman

When Davies Turner looked to replace the forklift truck fleet at its Dartford regional distribution centre, the selection criteria went beyond securing the best possible equipment… the company was looking for commitment.

“Our operations are extremely intense,” explains Edward Stephenson, Group Operations Director at Davies Turner. “The trucks are required to work 24 hours a day, 5 days a week as well as at weekends. It’s non-stop and we simply can’t afford unplanned downtime. We require absolute reliability from the equipment and the same from the team that services and supports it.”

The market-leading specialist in air, road and sea transportation, as well as logistics and supply chain management, found what it was looking for following a tendering process involving a number of leading suppliers. As a result, a total of 18 Mitsubishi GRENDiA LPG forklifts in capacities ranging from 1.8 to 3.5 tonnes are now providing the mechanised muscle while the local Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks team – headed by Chris Slater – is delivering the necessary high levels of after-sales support.

“The back-up we receive has fulfilled all our expectations,” says Mr Stephenson. “We even have a dedicated engineer who has developed a really good rapport with our staff, to the point of calling in, out of hours, just to ensure everything is running smoothly.”

A reputation to maintain

With an annual turnover in excess of £170 million, Davies Turner continues to grow and enhance its reputation as the UK’s foremost multimodal transport, logistics and warehouse organisation. Established in 1870, the company is still run by the same family that founded it, with Edward Stephenson part of the fifth generation of owners. “This was a very important decision for us,” he emphasises. “We considered everything, including the possibility of switching to electric but eventually decided against it. The high demands we place on the trucks, including extended shifts, raised concerns, as did the time and additional space required for charging operations. The decision to stick with LPG was greatly facilitated by the three-way catalytic converter – fitted as standard on the Mitsubishi GRENDiA range – along with an advanced engine management system. Together they combine to ensure ultra-low emissions and industry-leading fuel economy.”

Versatile… and very comfortable

The trucks are used for loading and unloading groupage trailers and shipping containers. In doing so they handle a wide range of different freight including long loads, large crates as well as palletised loads, cross docking and taking freight from various contractors for local delivery or transporting it to one of the company’s hubs located at strategic centres throughout the UK for onward local delivery.

Although the company’s operators were used to hydrostatic controls, a short refresher course enabled them to switch seamlessly to the automotive-style pedals of the Mitsubishi GRENDiA models.
“The team are particularly impressed by the comfort of the seats,” added Mr Stephenson. “That’s really important because of the long shifts some of our operators work, especially when overtime is involved.”

Acutely conscious of safety, Davies Turner fitted halo lights to each truck, effectively creating a no-go zone around each truck to protect pedestrians and installed front and rear-facing cameras which have proved very useful when loading vehicles. The cameras have also contributed towards safety and operating standards, giving management important feedback in terms of recall analysis, and greater accountability in the event of any damage.

Manoeuvrability in tight spaces

The fleet of counterbalance trucks is currently being supplemented by a further five 2-tonne capacity Mitsubishi PREMiA power pallet trucks. These will be deployed in the warehouse, where their exceptionally short and compact chassis will be important in enabling swift and safe manoeuvring in tight spaces. At the same time, features such as cast-iron drive units with oil-immersed gears, sturdy welded construction, and a chassis sealed against ingress from dust and moisture, will be instrumental in achieving the reliability that is so fundamental to the smooth running of this impressive facility.

Ocean Freight LCL Service from UK to India

Posted on by David Priestman

With the weak pound providing opportunities for UK exporters currently, Davies Turner is delivering a further boost to its ocean freight services between the UK and the Indian sub-continent with the launch of a direct weekly LCL (less than container load) service to Nhava Sheva.

Davies Turner’s previous service to Nhava Sheva was via transhipment in Jebel Ali, but by going direct, the UK freight forwarding and logistics company can offer a fast 25 day transit time port to port.

Consolidation of cargo in the UK is undertaken at one of Davies Turner’s regional distribution centres at Birmingham, Bristol, Cumbernauld, Dartford, or Manchester, for the weekly ocean freight service that departs from London Gateway port.

John Adams, Davies Turner’s Head of Trade – Middle East, ISC & South Africa, says: “India’s population of 1.4 billion people and a domestic market that is growing year on year, means there is large demand for imported goods from Europe. Our latest service improvement will help to support clients who want to use Nhava Sheva as a gateway by providing a quicker, efficient and cost effective service option.”

The dedicated weekly service to Nhava Sheva also has direct links to the following inland container depots (ICDs) – Ahmedabad, Garhiharsaru, Ludihana and Patparganj (New Delhi).

The new direct ocean freight LCL operation adds to other similar direct services that Davies Turner offers to gateways in Asia, Middle East, South Africa and USA including Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, Durban and New York, as well as services to other areas of India that are offered via transshipment at Singapore.

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