Ruby Celebrates a Double Win!

Congratulations to Simarco sponsored Ruby Moores, who recently put on a faultless display to get her first ever double win in rounds 3 and 4 of the BMX National Series in Manchester. The achievement was made even more amazing by the fact she was racing above her age in the 14 year old category.

Ruby’s Mum Sarah, commented “She has worked so hard to get where she is, so it was thoroughly deserved, and we couldn’t be happier for her.”

It’s been a busy schedule and Ruby has been competing in the Midlands Regional rounds, in the Superclass female category, which is the highest category she can race in.  For Ruby to be able to race in this category she had to get special authorisation from British Cycling, the main national governing body for cycle sport in Great Britain, who can see her potential and progression.  

The category includes adult women and much older girls, and Ruby is rising to the challenge; to date there have been three competitions, and Ruby has taken 6th, 4th and 5th places.

The first session of the Regional School of Racing Development takes place on 10^th and 11^th June and Ruby is also taking part in the National in Gosport at the end of the month. This is followed by the Euro Championships with a couple of regional races thrown in between.  

The Simarco team are absolutely delighted for Ruby and very impressed with her family’s commitment, which is a testament to Ruby’s success.  We are all wishing Ruby the best of luck in her next instalment of races!

Pride@Simarco

Simarco celebrated its own annual ‘Rainbow Day’ with brightly coloured themed decorations adorning our offices and our colleagues wearing rainbow colours to show their support for all members of the LGBT+ community. A pride themed Simarco bake off was arranged by our very own Simarco Connections group and the icing on the cake was companywide training delivered on the important subject of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Simarco is committed to creating a culture where people feel safe, welcome, heard and differences are celebrated. #Simarco#Pride

Moving Freight the Sustainable Way

As a part of Simarco’s sustainability strategy and continuous improvement plan, we recently reviewed our UK transport strategy when moving our client’s freight from our HQ in Witham Essex, for delivery to the North of England.  

This involved the analysis of geographical data and working on a solution that could not only reduce the number of miles travelled but increase the care and control of our client’s cargo within our transport network.  

The review identified that by extending our internal network to incorporate our Stoke-on-Trent DC and reducing our number of touch points, our overall freight miles would be significantly reduced.

By re-configuring our running miles, we have been able to decrease our network mileage by 78,000 miles per annum and in turn invest and increase in our domestic fleet.

Furthermore, in line with our Science Based Targets (42% reduction in scope 1 and scope 2 GHG emissions by 2030), we will be able to reduce our Scope 1 emissions by 115 tCO2e annually.”   

Simarco makes further investment into its WMS

Simarco recently upgraded its Warehouse Management System (WMS) to a cloud-based facility offering flexibility, multi-site capabilities and depth of functionality.

By future-proofing our resources, it drives efficiencies and processes meeting today’s evolving warehousing and fulfilment demands.  It also enables our teams to manage and enhance our customers’ experience delivering cutting-edge technology which is highly configurable to individual customer requirements.  

This cloud-based platform also ties in nicely with our sustainable goals and contributes to our plans for becoming a paperless business. 

Our warehousing and supply chain solutions can offer in excess of 300,000 sq. ft of high-security warehousing at our two main distributions centres in Witham and Stoke-on-Trent.  For more information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Simarco Connections raises employee engagement

Last October, we launched ‘Simarco Connections’ within the business, which has successfully increased employee engagement, bringing fun and enjoyment through a number of collaborative events.

The ‘Pay Day Treats’ scheme started in January and has proved to be a great success. Our staff have gratefully received fresh fruit, love hearts in celebration of Valentine’s Day, cake to celebrate Simarco’s birthday and even Easter Eggs.

In February, Simarco staff successfully completed a ‘Walk to China’ challenge. The goal was to collectively walk 4,846 miles, the equivalent of walking from the UK to China, to promote good health. Steps were recorded and not only did they complete the journey, but with 6,575 miles they almost made it halfway back.

We launched, “The Connections Virtual Bake-Off” this month, based on the popular TV Show – the Great British Bake Off which highlighted just how many creative and excellent bakers we have at Simarco.  This included the Pride Bake Off just last week to commemorate Pride Month in June.

Simarco Connections is a forum to further enhance our engagement throughout the company, as part of our ongoing commitment to provide a positive and collaborative workplace. It is just one of many initiatives that we undertake to ensure we maintain a productive environment, leading ultimately to a better working experience for our colleagues.

Driving Mental Health Awareness throughout Simarco

Simarco’s Mind Matters team organised a week of activities for Simarco colleagues, to mark last week’s Mental Health Awareness Week.  Anxiety was the theme, and our goal was to provide a selection of resources and guidance for support.

The team sent advice on how to cope with anxiety, arranged a “ Walk and Talk” highlighting the benefits of being outside in the fresh air and the “Wear it Green Day” which proved very popular, ending the week with promoting a “quick cuppa and a chat” with a colleague.

Our very own meditation expert, Jaqui, offered an Office Mindfulness break and guided us through breathing techniques to reduce feelings of stress or anxiety.

We know we have a long way to go but we are committed to driving Mental health awareness throughout Simarco and supporting our colleagues through any challenges that they may be facing.”

Planning ahead of the French Public Holiday

Thursday, 18th May is a public holiday in France, with businesses, shops, banks, public offices and schools closed during Ascension Day.

As a result, there is the possibility of delays for customers using our Regime 42 and 40 services. 

We would therefore suggest that when planning any shipments to depart 18th-19th May, bookings are sent through to us by Wednesday 17th May, which should enable us to avoid any delays to Regime clearances. 

We very much value your cooperation regarding the above

For those unaware, our Regime services improve EU customs efficiencies and usually reduce door to door transit times for DDP export shipments moving to European Union countries.

Should you require any further information regarding the upcoming public holiday or our Regime services, then please do not hesitate to contact your operational contact or alternatively email michael.dunne@simarco.com.

Simarco Stoke depot approved as bonded facility

Simarco is delighted to confirm that our regional warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent has now been approved as a bonded warehouse, enabling us to extend the range of services we provide.

Our strategically positioned facility already operates under the most stringent foodchain compliance standards, achieving a BRCGS ‘AA’ rating on last audit, which demonstrates the highest levels of quality are provided on site.

Using a bonded facility, importers and exporters can benefit from improved cash flow and supply chain efficiencies. Goods stored in bonded warehouses aren’t liable for customs duties or VAT until they have been moved or shipped from the warehouse.

Our Stoke facility runs numerous direct European import and export services and is intrinsically linked to our global ocean and air freight services through daily trunks. Therefore, we can provide local bonded solutions, for customers in the Midlands and the North, in conjunction with our extensive range of international services.

For more information on how this can benefit you, please do not hesitate to email us via sales@simarco.com

Do you have Cargo Insurance in place?

Even in the modern international logistics era, cargo insurance is a necessity for importers and exporters, and is probably as important now as it ever has been.

Technology, such as CCTV security and tracking systems, has dramatically reduced the likelihood of goods being lost or stolen. However, while the vast majority of shipments move safely and securely, there is always a very small chance that something uncontrollable may occur.

Climate change has brought on sporadic adverse weather conditions which can impact all modes of transport, we have also witnessed fires on cargo ships during the past 2-3 years, and accidents inevitably occur on roads. These are all uncontrollable.

It is important to note that all carriers, hauliers and forwarders are protected by liability limitations in their trading conditions. This means that cargo insurance is the only means of covering you for the full value of your goods in the unlikely event that something is lost, stolen or damaged.

The goods news is that Simarco can provide an All-Risk Cargo Insurance Service at competitive rates for customers moving shipments on our services. The benefits include:

• All risk coverage for physical loss or damage to the client’s goods.
• Expert risk analysis for the client’s individual business.
• Professional handling of claims.
• Fast payment of valid claims.
• Peace of mind for client no matter where their cargo is.

Please be aware, it is a legal requirement to advise us in writing, should you want us to arrange cargo insurance on your behalf.

We would be delighted to discuss our cargo insurance options further, so please do not hesitate to contact your local Simarco customer service representative.

Strikes Planned For Labour Day Weekend in France

Unions in France have called for more strike action this weekend, as the bitter pension dispute continues to cause disruption in the country.

Strikes are planned for this Friday, 28th April, and the Labour Day public holiday on Monday 1st May, with thousands of transport related workers, including rail workers and air traffic controllers, expected to join one or both of the days.

It is not uncommon for Labour Day to be the focus of industrial action in France, and widespread protests appear likely on the holiday itself.

The dispute has continued all of this year, following President Macron pushing through reforms to pensions which include the retirement age rising from 62 to 64.

Importers, exporters and freight forwarders have become accustomed to the regularity of the strikes and to some extent have learned to live with them, or work around them. However, there may be some small delays to cargo moving through France during the next few days.

Should you be concerned about any upcoming urgent shipments, then please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Simarco team.