Feature, Freight News, Logistics

Logistics from A to Z in Ashby de la Zouch

[ September 17, 2014   //   Chris ]

CEVA Logistics plans to give customers and youngsters an insight into the world of logistics at its first European centre of excellence at Ashby de la Zouch, offically opened on 16 September. If follows the opening of similCenter of Logistics Excellence in Jacksonville and Singapore and will form part of a chain of such centres around the world.

They demonstrate ‘real world’ supply chain optimisation and technology, all aimed at boosting efficiency for global businesses. CEVA plans to use this latest Center, located at its European HQ, to build a strong knowledge center in Europe, develop supply chain talents, offer best in class technologies and supply chain solutions to further strengthen its presence in the region.

The global supply chain specialist also intends to educate and inspire the next generation of logisticians from across Europe by using the Center to introduce the scale and breadth of the logistics spectrum, as well as promoting its range of apprenticeships, internships and graduate management programs.

CEVA’s president Europe, Leigh Pomlett, described it as “a compelling example of CEVA’s commitment to create value for our customers through excellence.” Local talent and knowledge coupled with global expertise would help CEVA design solutions that respond to supply chain challenges, he added.

Pomlett continued: “Visitors to the Center will experience first-hand our collaborative and partnership approach to business, as well as our innate ability to create real solutions to supply chain challenges.”

The European Center of Logistics Excellence is purpose built and designed to take visitors on the journey of a consignment through CEVA’s end-to-end service offering including inbound logistics, warehousing and distribution, manufacturing support, outbound logistics, final mile solutions and aftermarket services. The Center also promotes CEVA’s Showfreight specialist events and exhibition logistics division.

CEVA has even built a mock-warehouse area to demonstrate the latest technology and systems.

Speaking at the official opening, local MP Andrew Bridgen – who has a transport industry background and is himself a qualified transport manager – welcomed CEVA’s initiative, adding that the logistics industry as a whole had not sold itself to young people as an attractive career option. This was becoming a problem, particularly in his north-west Leicestershire constituency where unemployment was now only 2%. “We need to be proactive, otherwise we will have to get another tranche of East European drivers.” He also pledged to step up lobbying on behalf of the industry with the Government.

Leigh Pomlett pointed out that Ceva itself carried out intensive training, not only in Europe but worldwide. This made it an attractive employer, particularly to those employees who became air and ocean freight forwarding specialists, who could gain a highly transferrable skill. Ceva has sufficient critical mass to carry out its own bespoke training programmes, he added, although there could be some value in an industry-wide recognised forwarding qualification, particularly form smaller forwarders seeking to recruit staff, he said.

Tags: Ceva