PD Ports, the UK’s fourth largest port, has been recognised for its successful ‘portcentric logistics’ business strategy by winning the Supply Chain Partnership Award at the annual IFW Awards. The other finalists were CitySprint, Allport, DAP UK, GKN Freight Services, NNR Global Logistics and NYK Logistics.

The award recognises the company which best “brings the customer competitive advantage, specifically in the areas of reduced cost, improved reliability and flexibility.”
As described by the judges, this was a hotly con
tested category but PD Ports shone out amongst the competition and was highly commended for designing and implementing a truly successful portcentric port. Further acknowledgement was given for the creation of new jobs, investment and prosperity to the North East region on the back of PD Ports’ efforts. The judges summed up their thoughts by stating that PD Ports had truly brought the ports industry into the 21st century.

David Robinson, PD Ports’ group chief executive officer, says the portcentric strategy – storing goods close to the port of import and distributing locally – works well for a wide variety of clients, from niche players to large retail clients. Speaking at the awards ceremony, David expressed his delight in receiving external recognition by industry’s peers in what was a very competitive category.

The PD Ports award entry also outlined its innovative approach to the supply chain by establishing Logical Link, its own feeder service from Felixstowe to Teesport for its portcentric logistics customers.

The feeder service won ASDA’s Outstanding Carrier of the Year Award 2010 and saves the company and its George clothing range 1.3m road miles a year, significantly cutting the retailer’s logistics costs.

Despite difficult trading conditions worldwide, PD Ports saw 62% growth in the first quarter of 2010 at its container terminals at Teesport, compared with the same period the previous year. These burgeoning volumes are largely attributed to the highly successful portcentric logistics business, which has also attracted £150m of new investment and over 1,300 jobs to the region in the last five years.

This is the 14th year the awards have been held and the standard of entries improves every year, says IFW, the leading freight website in the UK. The awards ceremony was held at Hilton Hotel, Park Lane yesterday (Oct 28).

PD Ports is owned by Canadian-based Brookfield, a global asset manager focussed on property, renewable power and infrastructure assets, with over US$100 billion of assets under management.

About PD Ports:
PD Ports Limited is owned by Canadian based Brookfield. Brookfield is a global asset manager focused on property, renewable power and infrastructure assets, with over $100 billion of assets under management. PD Ports was bought by Brookfield in November 2009.

PD Ports is a high performing specialist ports business offering a wide variety of supply chain services to improve customers’ international product and material movements into and out of – as well as within – the UK.
PD Ports employs over 1140 members of staff, and generates an annual turnover of over £115 million from many UK locations.

PD Ports operates throughout the UK from bases at many key ports and logistics centres. 

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