Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Damco Wins AEO Accreditation And Fresh Produce Freight Award

Busy Week for Logistics Arm
Shipping News Feature

UK – Damco, the logistics arm of the A.P. Moller - Maersk Group, has had a flurry of success this week with the awarding of full Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to the company as well as Damco Reefer South Africa winning the ‘Best Clearing Agent of the Year 2010’ Award at the first annual International Produce Limited (IPL) Logistics Conference in Leeds, UK.

The AEO accreditation, now practically a set standard for those involved in European logistics and freight, is an acknowledgement of the way Damco UK conducts its business operations and meets the European standards for customs compliance and site security as laid down in the AEO regulations.

Neil Bird, Customs House Brokerage Business Development Manager for Damco UK Ltd. said: “The award is the culmination of nine months preparation work and eight months of audit work by HMRC and Damco. During the audit period, auditors from HMRC’s Large Business Sector, spent 17 actual days on site at multiple Damco locations looking at all aspects of Damco operations, site security, processes, practices and policies.”

Meanwhile, Damco Reefer South Africa last week won their award as recognition of the work that they, in conjunction with their colleagues in the United Kingdom, have put in over the last five years to provide reefer logistics services for International Produce Ltd., a wholly owned entity of ASDA Wal-Mart, as one of the supermarket giants primary managers of fruit supplies.

“Damco South Africa were chosen as winner of this Award for their proactive approach to managing the IPL business. Damco not only display a really keen approach to communication back to the UK Head Office, but also engage in innovation at a strategic level. IPL felt Damco's recent investment in managers with Reefer specialist knowledge showed its commitment to the category and to IPL,’ said Jason Kelly, Operation Director at IPL.

Such is the success that Damco’s systems have made to IPL’s supply chain that the model is being extended to other locations, with this season Damco Chile to handle produce from that country.

Dawie Kok, General Manager for Reefer South Africa said: “Damco is very honoured to be named as IPL's Best Clearing Agent of Year for 2010. Receiving such Award is very motivating and highlights Damco's dedication to service delivery and our passion for customers. Damco is committed to developing our relationship with IPL and strive to support IPL even further on strategic logistics initiatives.”

(pic: James Hammond accepting the Award on behalf of Damco Reefer South Africa from Jason Kelly, Operations Director of International Produce Ltd.)

http://www.damco.com/