Sovex is a leading international vehicle loader and conveyor manufacturer. Our 30,000 square foot UK-based factory and Head Office, houses a dedicated and skilled workforce responsible for some of the most significant technical developments in vehicle loader and conveyor manufacturing over the last decade. Sovex also has a centre of excellence and dedicated 50,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Malaysia.
In order to support local sales and service to international customers, Sovex has a European Sales Office based in The Netherlands and has various authorised distributors across the globe.
Michele Dematteis, Managing Director spoke to Warehouse &?Logistics News.
WLN – As the Vehicle Loading category experts, how has the category been performing in the last 12 months? What are the major trends and developments?
The UK has one of the largest and most advanced e-commerce markets in the world. Online retailing continues to grow in popularity and becomes a fundamental part of the online shopping journey. This ongoing increased demand for online shopping is having a positive effect on the parcel delivery sector which as a result, increases demand for high quality vehicle loaders. Sovex, since its inception in 2002 has become synonymous with pioneering design and innovation within the industry as we strive for greater productivity and improved processes for our customers. This year has been no different with further advancement in our technologies and a continued theme of greater market share within our category.
WLN – What are your core products and services: what are you best known for providing?
Sovex designs and manufactures fixed and mobile vehicle loaders which can be used to receive and ship all kinds of loose loaded product. Mobile vehicle loaders are highly versatile, they require very little space and can be easily moved to load lorries in different locations. They can also be moved out of the way to allow you to load and unload pallets and roll cages. Sovex vehicle loaders can extend up to 20m to accommodate the largest of trailers.
In addition to vehicle loaders, Sovex offer fixed and mobile lineshaft conveyors which are available in various configurations and can be used to receive, store, pick & ship all kinds of products. The lineshaft conveyor is energy and cost efficient. It can power bends, straights, and other accessories, such as merges.
We know that you need your conveyor systems running at full capacity, all of the time. That’s why we offer fully comprehensive service and maintenance packages. When you take out our service package – Sovex Service Connect – we’ll service your machines regularly to keep them running smoothly and be on hand should you encounter any additional breakdowns or faults. We also service material handling equipment from other manufacturers including conveyors, conveyor belts, vehicle loaders, scissor lifts, dock levellers, racking and carousels.
Offering response times of 2 hours, 4 hours or next day and free site inspections to see how we can be of assistance, all of your needs can be catered for through our engineering services department.
WLN – What developments or upgrades have you made to your core products and services in the last 12 months?
Sovex exponential growth and turnover is an illustration of the drive to continually develop. During 2014 we launched 3 innovative vehicle loaders, first came the ‘compact’ version of the award winning Sovex Bendy Boom. Our new 12m mobile vehicle loader with power assisted hydraulic steering, maintains the key fundamentals of a loading section at the front end yet capable of extending into and serving larger vehicles. In the latter part of the year we have introduced the new Sovex Speedy Load Boom; a real game-changing product in the industry and something we are really excited about.
WLN – What makes you the ‘go to’ supplier in your area of expertise?
Sovex understand the demands of high speed, high volume handling facilities and our expert engineers will work with you to design the right product handling solution to meet your bespoke needs. Account managers assist in project managing the whole process from planning, through to implementation as well as providing after care servicing and maintenance. Our expertise has a very local feel but extends nationally and internationally as Sovex is held in the highest regard across the globe.
WLN – Have you launched any new products and services in the past year? How are they performing?
Sovex doesn’t stand still and this year has been no exception with the Sovex Speedy Load Boom debuting in the 4th quarter of 2014 with its 1000mm wide belt, 8m main casing and up to 20m additional extended length. The prowess as Sovex’s largest ever vehicle loader is combined with all of our renowned features that clients have become used to such as hydraulic levelling, bendy section and gallows’ lighting and many more. Clients are seeking the best elements of all material handling equipment in one multipurpose vehicle loader. With huge interest in this revolutionary product already, it is set to roll out to multiple companies and sites in the forthcoming year.
WLN – Which industry sectors are your customers in?
We at Sovex are very aware of our vast potential markets and by undertaking rigorous market research for design, innovation and applications; we demonstrate a clear business strategy by manufacturing products specifically for the needs of our clients.
As the proven innovator in the vehicle loading industry, our products are widely used within the post & parcel handling sector; we remain committed to manufacturing only the highest grade products for our customers whether they are based in the UK or in Australia. An ever growing portfolio of sectors served includes but is not limited to; the retail (electrical, furniture, apparel), logistics, warehouse & storage and manufacturing sectors who class Sovex as vital components to their wider business processes.
WLN – Can you name some of your major customers and tell us about the work you do for them?
Sovex counts DPD, UK Mail and DHL among our many blue chip clients and we aim to liaise with our customers to find solutions specific to their needs. Indeed, when DPD contacted Sovex they sought to increase their parcel sorting capacity to over half a million packages every night. This major expansion involved direct nightly connections to 23 European countries from their Oldbury distribution hub. This alliance directly contributed to the development of a pioneering new product; the Sovex Bendy Boom which has gone onto become one of most popular conveyor systems due to its flexibility. A thorough explanation of our engagement with clients and how we reach successful partnerships is available to view on the case studies section of our website at www.sovexsystems.com. New product development is fundamental to what we do at Sovex. It enables us to ensure we always push the boundaries in technological advancement and remain ahead of the curve.
WLN – Can you tell us about your latest major projects, and what they involve?
We have supplied 5 machines to TJ Morris Ltd (Home Bargain). The machine is a telescopic boom on a mobile chassis with an operator platform. It extends 15m into a trailer or container. The operator platform is mounted at the front of the boom and is open fronted accommodating two people. The Sovex Operator Platform enables the operator to load and unload trailers up to 3m high whilst maintaining operator safety. It incorporates safety edges at the front and underside of the platform; whilst greatly reducing loading and unloading times. It is also on a mobile boom chassis so it can be manually moved around a warehouse, for example if the boom is required to clear a doorway. These types of machines are usually used in conjunction with a raised dock.
Another project we have been working on recently is replacing old machines at various TK Maxx depots across Europe with fixed telescopic boom vehicle loaders. This machine has been specially designed for TK Maxx. It is ideal for companies who handle both loose load and unpalletised goods; this conveyor can be moved away from the door in a slewing movement to allow access to forklift trucks.
WLN – Have you made any big moves recently in terms of investment in the business, recruitment and so on?
We continue to invest and believe in Sovex skilled employees, our workforce has grown to over 160 with new recruits in engineering, fabrication, marketing and management departments. Overseas employees have grown from 40 to over 70 this year alone and plans are in place to increase this number again in 2015 to over 100 overseas employees. Such additions and advancements of current personnel within the business helps to serve an ever expanding footprint of workspace with a dedicated Sales Office in the Netherlands and a Centre of Excellence in Malaysia specialising in the production of vehicle loaders. Combined with an increased number of Sovex approved distributors we can now effectively serve more countries and continents worldwide with plans to aggressively target the vast US market.
The adoption of a specialist Enterprise Resource Planning system has aided in the integration of software applications and assists daily with necessary inter-department collaborations. This infrastructure is vital for a wide range of different business activities including design, project planning, swift service delivery and installations enabling Sovex to pass costing efficiencies on to the our clients for the most effective solutions to their material handling demands.
WLN – What was your company’s single biggest achievement in the last year?
In 2014, Sovex was entrusted by DPD to provide the latest vehicle loading and unloading systems required for a major expansion at their Hub 4 depot in Hinkley, UK. A variety of equipment was installed to improve processes comprising of Sovex Bendy Booms along with telescopic vehicle loaders with 15m extension. These two products featured in-feed belts only, designed to unload parcels into the facility from a range of different sized vehicles.
To compliment this, Sovex also installed telescopic vehicle loaders with 15m extensions and a larger 800mm wide belt. In addition, roller loaders with 1000mm wide rollers were installed; both designed to cater for out-feed purposes only.
Such a vast order from one of the UK’s foremost parcel handlers is a testament to the high quality equipment Sovex has long been associated with, contributing over £4m of the year’s record £23m+ revenue.
WLN – What are your plans for 2015? Are you planning to bring out any more products or services, move into new markets or enter new countries?
Given the long-term relationships developed through collaborations with major companies across a range of industries; Sovex’s exponential growth is set to grow ever greater into 2015. International sales are likely to make up a higher degree of total sales than ever before with a packed order book already in-hand for overseas business. Now capable of vastly reduced lead times thanks to multiple production and manufacturing sites including Sovex Centre of Excellence in Malaysia. Opened in 2013 with the express purpose of manufacturing high quality vehicle loaders in large quantities, the project has been a resounding success enabling Sovex to have a far reaching pull throughout the East as well as Western markets. These factors allied with a wealth of knowledge amassed exporting around the globe; we are in the perfect position to tend to your request whether at home or abroad. With expansion plans outlined for the forthcoming year, this leads us to anticipate a rise in growth by 25% in 2015 to a record £30m.
WLN – Are you exhibiting at any major trade shows this year?
In 2015, Sovex will exhibit at the 13th LogiMAT International Trade Fair located in Stuttgart, Germany. February 10th – 12th will see key personnel within the business travel to showcase one of our leading vehicle loaders to over 35,000 visitors. More information available at www.logimat-messe.de
WLN – What are your predictions for the industry in 2015?
With the UK now in 2nd place worldwide for internet sales and the number of individual orders only set to grow, Sovex is set to play an important role in shaping how the industry serves ever increasing demand in 2015 and beyond. The diversity of parcel profiles and specific requirements are both of a far broader range with customers expecting the best service possible at the most competitive price points. Our clients predict e-commerce activity is to ramp up significantly and seek to improve processes and productivity to cater for this. With next day delivery almost a necessity for some; speed, accuracy and efficiency is the only way this is possible. Even the most prominent companies within the sector are competing to cater for demand; a premium is placed on land in prime location for depots and parcel sorting facilities. As such, space optimisation within existing sites is vital. High throughput equipment, minimising handling times is imperative so that clients can satisfy customer obligations and lofty expectations, Sovex as ever will help to make this possibility a reality.
WLN – What other headline news from your company can our readers look forward to reading about in Warehouse & Logistics News in 2015?
Sovex is extremely proud of its Centre of Excellence in Malaysia; built to satisfy demand in vehicle loaders, currently capable of manufacturing up to 10 vehicle loaders per week. Interest has increased to a point whereby our existing 48,000ft workspace is to be increased to around 90,000 sq/ft. This would enable a skilled local workforce to work simultaneously on even more projects. By continuing the elevation and betterment of Sovex we will look to pass on our efficiencies in saving time and money to our loyal existing customers through heightened customer service as well as our scope to reach previously untapped markets and clients.
Phone: 0151 608 2323
Email: sales@sovexsystems.com
Web: www.sovexsystems.com
Twitter: @sovexsystems
Facebook: sovexsystems
LinkedIn: sovex-limited
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