South Coast Expansion Underway For Import Services
One of the country’s leading logistics companies is gearing up for the opening of new facilities on the south coast to accommodate future growth.
Import Services is set to open an extension to its dockside facilities in Southampton this summer – a move which is set to create up to 25 new jobs in the city and enable the company to move to a 24 hour operation.
The company is the leading container port based logistics company in the UK, based in Southampton and linking supply chain services, with global real time information, to meet the new world of retailing.
The expansion comes at a time when Southampton has reinforced its position as the most efficient container port in Europe and the recent installation of cranes worth £26 million will enable the port to handle the next generation of ultra-large container ships.
Import Services’ operations director Roger Loveless said the success of the company’s port-centric operation had proved a major success and the new facilities will ensure the company is well placed to handle imports from existing and new clients.
The new building extension, which is due for completion in July, will boost Import Services’ overall capacity from 40,000 pallets to 53,000 pallets. The warehouse is owned and managed by Associated British Ports which is investing £3.7 million in the new facility with Import Services set to invest a further £600,000 in new operational equipment.
“Our container port facility is the only one of its kind in the UK and this expansion in co-operation with ABP Southampton is designed to meet increased demand for moving imported product quickly from ship to warehouse,’’ said Roger.
“We are in the right place to ready stock and process orders for onward delivery to a wide range of retailers from Amazon, Argos and Tesco to John Lewis, Harrods and increasingly direct to consumer at home.’’
He said the company’s warehouse adjacent to the container port, means it can provide the optimum route to market for clients.
“Supply chain time-lines are shrinking with on demand ordering and this shift in retailing means our port-centric model is compelling’’ added Roger. “We are privileged to work with a number of the country’s leading toy, gift, electronics, sports and leisure companies in this exciting new phase of growth for Import Services.
Continued investment in facilities, client services and comprehensive web-based tracking systems, has set Import Services apart as a successful retail logistics business growing in Southampton.
