P&O Ferrymasters lands 20 million lead logistics deal

Supply chain solutions specialist P&O Ferrymasters has won a new contract worth up to 20million from long-time customer Kingspan Insulated Panels. Kingspan, manufacturer of fire-safe roof, wall and facade construction systems, has appointed P&O Ferrymasters as lead logistics provider (LLP) for all export traffic from the UK to mainland Europe and the Republic of Ireland. An estimated 6000 loads per year will be covered by the rolling three-year agreement.

Moves will be underpinned by P&O Ferrymasters own-assets, a major selling point within the agreement. The company is basing up to 60 dedicated stand trailers at three Kingspan plants in Ireland and northern England, while also utilising a number of key strategic partners under a single point of control. Some 70% of the volume is bound for Benelux countries and 20% for Ireland. Other destinations include Scandinavia, France and 'campaign' markets the company has just completed a special order involving 60 trailers in ten 10 days to Poland.

Commercial director Phillip Jones says: "The massive investment of resources required to manage these volumes underlines our commitment to long-term strategic relationships. This is a landmark deal for our LLP partnership solution and enables us to work even closer with Kingspan to develop further cost effective solutions, improved transit times and a platform for expansion to new markets"

Kingspan divisional operations manager Liam McDaniels adds: "By expanding our association with P&O Ferrymasters, we are set to build on the benefits they have delivered over the past 25 years. We see enormous potential in tapping into the synergy of their pan-European resources."

P&O Ferrymasters has already identified cost savings of 1m under the new deal - now being implemented by the European contract logistics team - as part of an ongoing review to simplify and enhance Kingspan's entire transport management requirement. Value added services including KPI reporting will also be extended to the new operation. Meanwhile the company's carrier adoption programme will be used to manage the two existing carriers on the volume to Ireland.

P&O Ferrymasters is one of Europe's leading logistics providers, offering tailor-made transportation, logistics and supply chain solutions. P&O Ferrymasters is part of P&O Ferries, which is owned by Dubai World. The company employs 600 people at 27 strategic locations across 13 European countries.