DB Schenker Logistics’ UK division, Schenker Limited, has opened a new shared user facility in the UK Midlands dedicated to contract logistics.
The 5,200-square-metre Shared Logistics Centre, which is located at junction 10 of the M42 near Tamworth, will provide services to multiple customers from the automotive, industrial and consumer sectors.
Schenker said that customers will benefit from the latest warehouse management system, the availability of 12,000 pallet positions, as well as a high standard of security and the customer service.
Around a third of the facility is now occupied and already includes one tier one automotive supplier to Halewood.
"Having such a perfectly strategically located facility will enable us to make another stride forward in a new era for contract logistics in the UK no matter where our clients are located,” said Helgi Ingolfsson, managing director, Schenker Limited. “Furthermore, with our team of specialists we have the expertise ‘in house’ who are able to understand, design processes and find optimal solutions that contribute to added value and gives our customers a competitive edge in their supply chain."
Mahindra to buyout Navistar in India
Mahindra & Mahindra is set to buy out Navistar from two joint ventures it has with the truckmaker in India: Mahindra Navistar Automotives (MNA) and Mahindra Navistar Engines (MNE). Following a proposed transaction of $33m for Navistar’s stakes in both companies they would become wholly-owned subsidiaries of Mahindra.
The agreement allows Navistar to continue sourcing components from India while Mahindra would continue to provide engineering services to Navistar.
"Since it was established in 2005, Mahindra Navistar Automotives has created a niche for itself in the Indian CV industry," said Dr Pawan Goenka, president, Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra. "MNAL has set up a world class dealer and service network for trucks, which coupled with synergies with Mahindra's dealer network gives us a significant opportunity to grow our presence in the truck market.
“We acknowledge the contribution made by Navistar to this venture thus far and appreciate their support for business continuity after they exit the business," said Goenka.
Navistar is currently engaged in a capital turnaround plan and is assessing all of its business to improve performance and the return on investment it is getting.
“Based on this business environment, Navistar has determined that it needs to redirect its efforts to other initiatives that more quickly contribute to the company's goal to improve its return on invested capital,” said the company.
Yusen invests in UK fleet and IT
Yusen Logistics is investing £9m in its UK IT and fleet business to secure future growth, optimise system availability and improve response times. All Windows and back office servers have been moved to a virtualised solution, ensuring wider availability of services.
The NYK division is also investing in its Transport Management solution, entitled ‘Vision’, which provides route and vehicle planning logic, trip execution and real time non-conformance management.
“Further to the company’s merger last year enabling us to offer comprehensive air, ocean and contract logistics services and with significant growth now underway, the time was right to make a significant investment in the UK business to move it forward in line with the demands of the future,” said managing director, Ian Veitch.
Part of the investment has gone into its Global Ocean Operations System, GDS, which provides full import and export management, and consignment tracking across all Yusen Logistics global operations.
Almost £7m has been spent on mechanical handling equipment, vehicles and trailers in the UK, all equipped with the latest safety and environmental features.
Specific to this is the latest pillar-less tri-axle trailers equipped with sliding “Suzie” rails, have been added to the fleet, enabling drivers to couple airlines without needing to climb. Front air deflectors and Formula One style diffusers at the rear are maximising aerodynamic efficiency, to deliver fuel savings of over 3%.
Included in the trailer order is Yusen Logistics’ allocation of the longer 15.65m trailers, part of The Department for Transport trial (read more here).
DHL Freight opens Kazakh office
DHL Freight, which provides freight forwarding services in the European overland transport business, has opened a new office in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city, to facilitate direct transport between hubs in Europe, Russia and China.
The new facility is situated at a warehouse complex near Almaty at the crossroads of two major transport routes – the Transport Corridor Europe Caucasus Asia (TRACEA) and the Great Almaty Circle Motor Road (BAKAD).
“This new transit point makes a faster delivery time for our customers possible – not only for Europe, Russia and China but also in Kazakhstan itself. At the same time, this investment will contribute to further economic growth of this country, which has the key role as the access point to Central Asia,” explained Stefano Arganese, CEO of DHL Freight Central Eastern Southern Europe and Americas, Middle East, Africa.
The centre offers a full range of logistic services, including bonded warehousing and customs brokerage services as well as online tracking, registration and maintenance of goods via a warehouse management system. Container terminal services available include cross-docking, shunting and crane services, and customs and bonded storage.
