Tuesday, August 8, 2017

SH Pratt Moves Into London Gateway

To Build Bespoke Temperature Controlled Facility at UKs Newest Port
Shipping News Feature
UK – Luton-based fruit importers and ripeners, SH Pratt Group is to take a lease on a bespoke temperature-controlled distribution facility at DP World London Gateway. Its new business, named Halo, will be sited at the 108,555 square foot, state-of-the-art, multi-chambered warehouse within DP World London Gateway Logistics Park's West Zone, where it will handle multi-temperature products, before distributing them to the UK consumer market. David Bateman, Managing Director, SH Pratts Group, said:

“DP World London Gateway is perfectly positioned close to the M25 and has unrivalled access to the rest of the UK. This will mean we are able to pass on tangible savings to customers and also reduce demurrage by offering a rapid turnaround."

The decision to site the new venture at DP World London Gateway Logistics Park will reduce the distance, journey time, waste and cost for customers of moving products – ensuring a more sustainable temperature-controlled supply chain. Enterprise resource planning software (ERP) will ensure customers can track the progress of their goods through a portal. In the future, some Port Health inspections may take place within the Halo facility.

The one-stop Halo centre will handle goods arriving at DP World London Gateway Port from a number of countries around the world. Halo is part of SH Pratt Group’s programme of investment over the last few years and will be supported by Kinship Logistics, its wholly-owned logistics subsidiary, together with FreshLinc, the venture’s strategic logistics partner.

This will provide access to more than 400 vehicles nationwide, supporting UK and wider European access to and from the facility. David Bateman, Managing Director, SH Pratts Group, said:

“Halo is a new venture under the SH Pratt Group banner. The business will see us drawing on our expertise in delivering a quality service when it comes to handling a wide range of products. Subject to final design details being agreed, Halo will be operating the port’s first temperature-controlled, chilled and frozen supply chain facility.

“DP World London Gateway is perfectly positioned close to the M25 and has unrivalled access to the rest of the UK. This will mean we are able to pass on tangible savings to customers and also reduce demurrage by offering a rapid turnaround.

“This will be a state-of-the-art, fully accredited, fully-focused facility which, coupled with SH Pratt Group’s expertise, will deliver beyond the expectations of our customers.”

DP World London Gateway is one of Europe’s most integrated logistics facilities, with consent for 9.25 million sq ft of distribution, warehousing and manufacturing development on the same site as a globally connected, semi-automated, deep-sea container port with purpose-built rail terminal and excellent access to the UK road and rail network. Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, DP World London Gateway, said:

“In just over a year’s time, SH Pratt Group will have a world-class, temperature controlled distribution facility on the same site as a world-class semi-automated port, located right on the doorstep of the UK’s biggest consumer market with unrivalled access to the whole of the country.

“Sustainability is a growing concern to British shoppers, and by locating here SH Pratt Group will be able to deliver on their commitments to the environment while also ensuring consumers get the freshest produce by taking advantage of our extensive maritime and landside transport connections.”

Subject to agreement of final design details, construction work will start in late 2017. The building is scheduled to be operational by mid-late 2018.