DHL signs five-year deal with latex supplier Synthomer

DHL Exel Supply Chains industrial sector has signed a five year deal to provide Synthomer, the global synthetic polymers business, with bulk transport services in the UK from 1 January 2009. The contract represents an extension of the current partnership between Synthomer and DHL, and now includes the distribution of dispersion products in the UK as well as the existing latex bulk transport distribution services.

Central to DHLs appointment has been the excellent relationship that its account management team has established with Synthomer. DHL provides robust asset provision services, combining service excellence with safety, health, environmental and quality expertise. As part of the contract, DHL will also be contributing to Synthomers ongoing fleet efficiency improvement agenda.

Alan Lintorn, Customer Service and Logistics Manager for Synthomer Europe explained: One of the key challenges facing our business is the safe movement of potentially hazardous chemicals from facilities across the UK. However, we also have an objective to improve operational efficiency by improving the utilization of our tanker fleet. DHL worked hard to develop and deliver an innovative solution in this area that delivers both flexibility and safety.

DHLs approach to financial risk management was also critical to the contract award, with the adoption of a flexible tanker fleet, which will assist Synthomer to manage anticipated fluctuations in volumes as cost effectively as possible.

Stuart Carlyon, Head of Chemicals, DHL Exel Supply Chain UK said: Our agreement is based on a long-term commitment, common goals and a gain-share mechanism that cements our collaborative approach to achieving world-class supply chain performance. This contract extension is testament to the expertise we have applied to the customers supply chain and a reflection of the good customer relationship we have built up over the last few years with Synthomer.

It is anticipated that the new bulk transport contract will form the basis of a wider supply chain project between the two organizations, with further opportunities being investigated in the UK packed transport arena and also freight movements to continental Europe and deep sea destinations worldwide. This project will be truly integrated, involving DHL Global Forwarding, the EuroConnect packed continental transport provision offered by DHL Freight, and the support of other transport operations from within DHL Exel Supply Chains industrial portfolio.