David Robinson, PD Ports CEO
15 November 2012 – PD Ports CEO, David Robinson and Business Development Director, Geoff Lippitt, have flown out to Asia to meet with customers and partners to highlight the changing face of UK logistics and the impact this will have on trade with Asia.
The eight day tour which includes three days in Japan and five days in Hong Kong is the first in a series of visits planned for Asia to discuss the evolution of logistics in the UK, in particular through portcentric logistics.
The visits will also highlight infrastructure investments PD Ports has made over the last two years. This includes the £16.7M invested to upgrade the container handling facilities at Teesport to service the growing volume of containerised goods coming through the Port.
The visit has been organised with the support of UK Trade & Investment and Jonathan Gamblin, International Trade Adviser (Medium Sized Businesses). He said: “We were delighted to be able to help PD Ports in identifying potential customers and partners in Asia and look forward to working with them in the future.
“UKTI hopes the success of companies such as PD Ports will help inspire others to take up the export for growth challenge and this week we’re hosting a series of events across the region as part of national Export Week to help companies find out how they can export and access the wide range of support that is available.”
Over the last seven years, PD Ports has become a leading provider of portcentric logistics services in the UK and has won several awards for excellence as a result, including the prestigious title of ASDA’s Carrier of the Year 2012. This success is reflected in the 70% growth in container volumes in the last five years despite difficult economic conditions, as well as a significant increase in vessel calls.
David Robinson, PD Ports CEO, commented, “Asia is the start of PD Ports’ supply chain for many imports and understanding trends is very important, as is awareness of any associated export opportunities.
“Teesport is well placed to make a material difference to supply chain markets and we are looking to build on our existing platform to position the North East, and in particular the Tees Valley, as a leading centre for UK logistics.
“This is the first in a series of visits to Asia, to meet with our customers and their partners to promote inward investment and further support economic growth in the region.”
PD Ports is a privately funded, multi award winning ports and logistics business delivering solutions to improve supply chains. We are based in the north of England and operate from locations at many key UK ports and logistics centres. We own and operate Teesport, one of the largest UK ports, which handles over 35M tonnes each year. Teesport has achieved 70% growth in container volumes in the last 5 years and has now been developed to become the northern gateway for container traffic handling over 420, 000 TEU (twenty foot equivalent unit) every year and is positioned for further significant growth. All of our port operations are backed by a comprehensive logistics network through PD Logistics, which is part of our Group. Award wins include: CILT’s Development of People Award 2012, ASDA’s Carrier of the Year 2012, ASDA’s UK Container carrier 2010 & 2011, IFW Supply Chain Partnership 2010, Lloyds List shortlist for Port Operator of the Year 2010.
UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK’s economy – acknowledged as Europe’s best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage.
For more information on UKTI, viewers can visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000.
For more information about Export Week, viwers cab log onto the website at http://www.exportweek.ukti.gov.uk
