Rhenus Automotive Competence Centre Sees ‘Unprecedented’ Growth
Leading automotive supply chain firm Rhenus Logistics, has reported significant growth of its UK operation, which saw revenues increase by over 100% in 2013. Established in 2010, the Rhenus Automotive Competence Centre (ACC), based in Cannock, provides a complete suite of logistics services for vehicle manufacturers, as well as tier one and tier two component suppliers.
Among its current major contracts, Rhenus operates a synchronised inbound components service for the Volkswagen Group, comprising scheduled, flexed collections from numerous suppliers in the UK and Eire. Utilising its extensive global shipping capability, Rhenus’ UK automotive centre also controls the inbound shipment of contracts from the Far East, providing a complete supplier consolidation service. Acting for a growing number of tier one suppliers, Rhenus harnesses the power of its well established, pan-European network to deliver inbound product to multiple locations across the continent.
During the last year, Rhenus’ Automotive Competence Centre has seen a rise in the volume of consolidation stock, as well as an increase in the demand for added value supply chain services such as decanting and picking of parts to order. The business has also seen increasing demand for its express services, especially from tier one and tier two component suppliers.
Head of the Automotive Competence Centre in the UK, Darren Cater explains: “As vehicle manufacturers are expanding their European facilities to keep up with demand, so the pressure on their space utilization increases. Unable to use prime assembly areas for stocking and storage of parts, more automotive parts suppliers are turning to us to provide secure and managed stockholding capability.
“We’re also seeing a significant rise in the number of manufacturers and OEMs looking for supply chain partners that can add value by offering a more flexible, bespoke service – providing 24 / 7 service, groupage, just-in-time and even reverse logistics solutions.”
Rhenus’ Automotive Competence Centre currently employs a full time staff of 14 logistics professionals, providing a range of supply chain solutions to both vehicle manufacturers and component suppliers. To cope with increasing demand, the business has recently adopted a two shift working day to provide a 24hr picking and packing solution.
