WINCANTON LAUNCHES VIRTUAL WAREHOUSE FINDER SERVICE

Chippenham-based Wincanton has launched a new service, “Virtual Access to Storage and Transport” (oneVASTwarehouse) to make finding and selling warehouse space easier.

The platform matches buyers and sellers of warehouse space, allowing companies that need on-demand access to storage to find it quickly, and warehouse owners the opportunity to advertise underused space to generate a new income stream.

Adrian Colman, Chief Executive Officer at Wincanton, said: “We have pioneered collaborative warehousing for a number of years, but with oneVASTwarehouse we are virtualising our services and getting a better utilisation rate for our customers’ warehouse space. This has evolved from a great idea, created through Wincanton’s W2 Labs programme, in which we explore digital innovation in logistics.”

IM Properties secures planning for UK logistics centre as Jaguar Land Rover makes long term commitment

Solihull-based IM Properties has secured planning permission on a new global parts logistics centre for Jaguar Land Rover to help retain the automotive company’s aftermarket parts business in the UK.

The proposed 2.94 million sq ft campus at junction 11 on the M42 will enable Jaguar Land Rover’s global aftermarket business to evolve, maintaining its competitiveness in a challenging global marketplace.

David Smith, IM Properties Planning Director said: “We are pleased to have secured permission for such an important new global facility, which will ensure Jaguar Land Rover’s long-term commitment to the UK.” a huge commitment which will contribute an additional £139 million GVA per year to the local economy”

Kevin Ashfield UK Development Director at IM Properties, added: “Agreeing to a 20-year lease shows huge commitment which will contribute an additional £139 million GVA per year to the local economy.”

Business improvement experts join Downton

Gloucester-based UK haulier CM Downton has recruited two senior recruits to drive efficiency and performance through analytics and technology.

Kevin Yapp and Clark Podger have joined as Business Improvement Director and Business Improvement Manager.

The pair have more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, and previously worked together in the senior logistics team at Sainsbury’s Argos.

Downton is part of the newly formed EV Cargo group of leading UK logistics firms, which provide transport, logistics, freight forwarding services and logistics technology to many leading brands.

The new facility, which will service 80 countries, will enable Jaguar Land Rover to sustain and create jobs in its business and supply chain, with 1,200 positions required from day one and 3,000 forecast by 2030.

Jaguar Land Rover will integrate its Jaguar and Land Rover operations into one logistics platform, giving the company a more efficient supply chain.

The logistics sector is struggling to fill driver vacancies, according to a report published by Barclays and accountants BDO.

Logistics companies say the lack of drivers is having a major impact on their business.

Operators are also struggling to fill leadership roles and finding warehouse staff and IT talent is also a concern, said the report.

HGV drivers and mechanics are becoming increasingly hard to recruit and the age demographic, specifically within the HGV driver population, is significantly older than the national average. As a result of these factors, and the current reliance on EU labour, the sector faces serious labour shortages over the next five years.

Could technology be the answer? Yes — in the long term, but that presents its own problems, according to Sarah Windrum, CEO of IT and telecommunications company The Emerald Group, based in Leamington Spa. “Few people are willing to train for a job which might not be there in the future,” she said.

Sarah is a board member of the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership and works with Warwickshire County Council which sees logistics as a priority sector.

Robotic sorting and autonomous local deliveries could soon be a reality

She added: “China has logistics companies using autonomous pods to deliver and deploy robots in their warehouses. UK businesses I have spoken to want to upskill their existing employees where possible but are aware there are limitations to this. Strategists talk about the cliff-edge automation that logistics is likely to experience but no one knows exactly when it will come.”

There needs to be a national UK approach to logistics recruitment, said Sarah, as the rapid changes in technology create opportunities as well as challenges.