54 | Expansion in the works The new facility is Ideally positioned between Foodstuffs’ and Countdown’s South Island distribution centres. T T from page 52 TRANSPORT Direct Logistics We’re proud to support Direct Logistics. Your accounting and business advisory experts Christchurch 03 379 0829 | Auckland 09 414 5444 nexia.co.nz NewZealand Space still available in our brand-new food/dairy grade facility at competitive rates. Best service, best price! Contact us now info@directlogistics.co.nz www.directlogistics.co.nz “A high proportion of that product is likely to be imported, while with the existing warehouses eighty percent of what we are doing is domestic manufactured product.” An array of 62 security cameras placed through the warehouse will ensure a very secure environment, while 26 electric forklifts will be used for product storage and retrieval. “The goal is to be operating twenty-four hours, seven days a week and across those seven days a week we could be looking to employing fifty new staff.” Ideally positioned between Foodstuffs’ and Countdown’s South Island distribution centres Nathan says the new warehouse is being established in such a way that it will offer clients a reliable and highly efficient service at very competitive rates to clients. The Hornby location also means there is easy access to the motorway for goods heading further south, or heading back into the city itself. Nathan explains that the Covid pandemic brought with it change in the volumes of stock importers stored and that created opportunities for new 3PL warehouse providers to respond. “It is no secret that there were supply shortages over the Covid period because of international shipping delays and importing stock into the country. Prior to Covid, getting stock from overseas had very quick lead times and many importers operated on a ‘just in time’ basis with the knowledge that stock could be replenished within a few months. But now more stock is being held on a ‘just in case’ basis. Importers needed more space to hold inventory and that sparked the growth in reliable 3PL providers. There is also a growing population base and everyone needs food and beverage products.” Nathan says that being a smaller 3PL operator has given the business the advantage of nimbleness and agility when responding to customer needs, earning it a reputation for reliability and customer service. “We are a service industry, and if you can’t provide that service it’s hard to keep customers. We pride ourselves on going that extra mile. As a logistics solutions provider, our job is to find solutions for our customers. We can look after customers’ clearance, freight forwarding, shipping and container transport and warehousing or any piece of that puzzle. While we don’t own ships, we can help with the total supply chain.” Acknowledging that Direct Logistics is a very young company, Nathan points out that it is rich in industry experience, with all directors veterans of the industry, and most staff also very experienced. “In a tight labour market we are a service based industry, and that service comes down to your team. We are driving a great workplace culture where people are happy to come to work, which in turn leads to great service. The employees are our major asset.” Always looking to the future, Nathan says that after the new warehouse has been commissioned, Direct Logistics’ sights will be focused on establishing a 3PL warehouse operation in Auckland. “That is where the main operations are for most of the large customers and we are already scoping possible sites.”
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