One of the key attractions at the forthcoming FoodEx will be the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) Pavilion.

With over 600 member companies, UKWA is the UK’s leading trade association dedicated to the third party logistics sector and its members control nearly 100 million square feet of warehousing space from some 1300 locations across the UK.

The UKWA Pavilion, which will be prominently located within the exhibition hall, will showcase the products and services offered by UKWA members and associate members.

The Pavilion will be centered around a hospitality area where visitors to the show can learn more about the workings of the UKWA and the benefits of joining the association. The facility will also be somewhere where visitors can discuss their logistics or materials handling needs with UKWA Pavilion exhibitors away from the noise and bustle of the exhibition.

“Since the 1980s there has a been a sharp upturn in the number of companies that choose to outsource logistics and supply chain management functions to third party logistics service providers – or 3PLs,” says UKWA chief executive officer, Roger Wiliams.

He continues: “Typically, 3PLs specialise in integrated warehousing and transportation services that can be scaled and customised to a customer’s needs. The kind of service offered will be based on a client company’s own unique market conditions and the demands and delivery service requirements for the goods that company produces and sells.

“In today’s price sensitive market, the need to drive cost out of the supply chain is often cited as a major reason for using third party logistics service providers. However, perhaps a better reason for engaging outside experts is the in-depth knowledge, flexibility and added value that a specialist contractor can provide. In short, as well as helping companies to achieve significant cost savings, a good 3PL will enable a business to enjoy shorter order cycles, better customer service and improved all-round business efficiency.

“There is no question that an effectively managed supply chain can positively influence business performance and, if companies are going to succeed in an increasingly competitive and unpredictable environment, every link in the chain must operate at optimum efficiency. That’s why any company that finds its fixed logistics costs are having a negative impact on its balance sheet simply has to consider outsourcing to a 3PL.

“Members of UKWA undertake an exceptional range of warehousing and added value services but, regardless of the areas in which they specialise, the Association’s members all share a determination to drive up professional standards in the warehousing sector. The UKWA Pavilion at FoodEx is an excellent opportunity to find out more about the range of services they can offer.”

UKWA embraces all companies that provide warehousing or other logistics support services in the supply chain and the Association is open to retailers and manufacturers as well as companies from outside the UK. The Association also has over 100 Associate Members – companies that supply products or services to the warehousing and logistics community.

www.ukwa.org.uk

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