Simarco’s Energy Saving Lighting

We are excited to announce yet another project as a part of our Sustainability Strategy. This project lays a pathway for our energy usage transformation.

Thanks to the cooperation with Connolly Electrical Ltd., we are redesigning and changing entire lighting infrastructure at one of our transport hubs in Witham. The project will include installation of highly energy efficient lighting systems across the warehouses and offices, allowing us to reduce our onsite electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions by an estimated 70%.

Jason Connolly at Connolly Electrical Ltd commented, “As lighting specialists, we are regularly tasked with designing and installing lighting schemes. Energy efficiency is the key motivation both for cost saving and sustainability.

Simarco International Ltd approached us with a completely refreshing vision and objective; to design a scheme that would attain the maximum CO2 reductions possible.

We designed optimal solutions for all areas of the business including office spaces, warehousing and outdoor areas. By utilising a combination of highly efficient light fixtures, and incorporating intelligent presence detection devices, we were able to assume annual reductions of 52 tonnes of CO2e.

We look forward to getting this scheme underway, and to be working with such a forward-thinking business that wants to make a real difference in order to offset their operational impact.” 

As well as reducing our CO2 emissions, the move to energy saving lighting also benefits our business by reducing maintenance costs, energy savings and improving a positive working environment.   Studies show that using energy efficient lighting can increase work productivity, alertness, supports mental wellbeing and decreases fatigue, bringing a positive synergy with our employee wellbeing strategy.

Further details on our sustainability strategy can be found HERE. If you would like to find out more about Simarco’s extensive range of international logistics solutions, please email sales@simarco.com

New Requirements For NI Shipments

With immediate effect, all companies transporting goods from the UK to Northern Ireland are now required to have both a GB and XI EORI Number.

Unfortunately, Simarco are unable to accept bookings unless customers provide both numbers, since the government’s Trader Support Service (TSS) will no longer allow the movement of goods without them.

Previously, there had been an option to manually enter company address information, which is no longer available. Businesses transporting goods to Northern Ireland should be aware of the these requirements and take action should they not have the appropriate EORI numbers.

To comply, you can register for your GB and XI EORI numbers online at https://www.gov.uk/eori/apply-for-eori

Official help and guidance is available online at https://www.gov.uk/eori/eori-northern-ireland

If customers are unsure whether they comply with the newest requirements, then please do not hesitate to contact a member of the team for more information.

Simarco operate an extensive range of road freight services between the UK and both Northern and Southern Ireland, please check out our European Road Transport page HERE or email sales@simarco.com.

Government Delays Expected Import Controls

Jacob Rees-Mogg announced last week that the remaining import controls on EU goods will no longer be introduced this year, which includes those due to go live on 1st July 2022.

In a written statement, the Minister for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency referred to the war in Ukraine, energy increases and the rise in cost of living as key factors for this decision, going on to suggest that this decision will save British businesses up to £1 billion in annual costs.

Rees-Mogg suggested that businesses can stop their preparations for July now. Instead, the government will set out their new regime of border import controls by publishing a Target Operating Model this Autumn, with any new procedures expected to go live at the end of 2023.

Import controls that have already been introduced will remain in place, but the following controls planned for introduction from July 2022 will not be introduced:

• A requirement for further Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) checks on EU imports currently at destination to be moved to Border Control Post (BCP).
• A requirement for safety and security declarations on EU imports.
• A requirement for further health certification and SPS checks for EU imports.
• Prohibitions and restrictions on the import of chilled meats from the EU.

While this may be good news for importers, this news has angered many of the UK’s port operators. To support the government’s original plans, they have reportedly invested over £100 million in facilities as preparation for 1st July.

Port associations are seeking urgent engagement with the government, with some suggesting legal action to recover what they fear is now wasted time and costs to develop white elephants.

Simarco operate an extensive range of European road freight services, please check out our European Road Transport page HERE or email sales@simarco.com.

Simarco Bristol Service Development

Simarco’s Bristol operation is continuing to service customers in the UK’s South-west region by developing a number of its own in-house services to and from Europe.

Operating in conjunction with the companies hand picked and like minded partners throughout the continent, our Bristol team have continued to grow and expanded their European coverage extensively.

On the export side, Bristol provides daily full and part load services into France, Belgium, Holland and Germany and twice-weekly departures to Spain, Portugal, Poland, Czech, Austria and Italy. While import services include daily full and part load services from many origin points throughout Europe.

Part load services for exports and imports can include collections and deliveries on trailers, which speeds up door to door transit times and reduces handling. All of our services are complimented by an in house Customs team.

The team provide instant quotes and you can be assured of a dedicated and professional account manager. For further information, please do not hesitate to call us on 01454 227 500 or email sales@simarco.com.

*Please check out our European Road Transport page HERE.

Shanghai Lockdown And Logistics Impact

Shanghai has now entered its fifth week of lockdown, with Covid cases continuing to surge and many logistics services hampered in the region.

There seems to be no immediate signs of the strict restrictions being lifted, in fact some apartment buildings were fenced off during the past few days in a drastic attempt to enforce the tight controls.

Ocean and air freight have been significantly impacted. While the sea port remains open, restrictions on driver movements from surrounding regions have slowed exports through the port.

Vessel congestion has led to vessels switching to other ports and volumes through Shanghai have dropped by around 40% during the lockdown period.

Its a similar story for airfreight through the major hub of Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport (PVG), where trucking on and off airport is heavily restricted. Air cargo from other regions, that would usually fly from Shanghai, have been diverting elsewhere, leading to congestion at other Chinese airports.

We highly recommend that customers talk to our team before arranging any urgent orders for the time being. Should you require any further information, or want to find out more about our Asian ocean and air freight services, then please do not hesitate to contact us on sales@simarco.com.

Felixstowe Introduces New Energy Levy

The Port of Felixstowe will be introducing a new import fee related to its increased cost of energy. Effective 1st May 2022, an Energy Adjustment Levy (EAL) – will be charged on all import containers travelling through the port.

The port attributes a 100% increase in energy costs year-on-year as the reason for introducing this charge, after accounting for its use of gas, electricity and diesel.

The conflict in Ukraine has undoubtedly inflated energy prices and we have seen many fuel surcharges applied to transport prices over recent times, with this now adding to the costs of imports.

The fee, which will be reviewed quarterly, has been set at:

EAL (Energy Adjustment Levy) : £11.25 per import container.

The port took the decision to only apply this to imports as with the huge number of containers leaving the UK empty, it became difficult to determine export container prices.

The fee will be billed to the customs declarant for all import containers out-gating the port after midnight on 30th April. Therefore, where Simarco handle the customs clearance through Felixstowe, we will be responsible for billing the £11.25 charge per container to the customer.

Express Distribution Continuing To Deliver

While global supply chain disruption continues to impact businesses, Simarco’s express distribution services, throughout the UK, are continuing to deliver.

Our experienced team focus on delivering 24/7 professional logistics solutions and are resourced to meet the ever changing needs of UK supply chain customers.

Our express distribution services are available 24 hours – 7 days per week, for time critical movements, with the additional option of loading or unloading, including handball, as a cross-dock solution. While guaranteeing friendly and professional drivers, we provide dedicated vehicles, which can be double manned for high value and sensitive loads.

Regardless of your collection and delivery requirements, you can be assured an in-house ‘Simarco’ vehicle will be on hand. This ensures there will be no transhipment of your goods, no cross contamination, and little or no risk of damage.

Providing POD’s immediately after delivery, tracking door to door, along with regular milestone updates, are just some of the features of our service that provide you with total visibility, while our transparent pricing policy ensures there will be no ‘hidden extras’.

Our same-day and next-day collection and delivery services cover the whole of the UK and our cross-dock solutions, operated through our Witham depot, enable us to deliver to London within an hour.

For express distribution that ensures complete ‘peace of mind’, please do not hesitate to contact Trevor Whiting via email simarcoexpress@simarco.com or call 01376 653128 / 07566 908388.

Simarco Apprenticeship Programme Goes from Strength To Strength

The Simarco management are very much advocates of developing our future stars of the industry from within, and we are proud to see our current team of apprentices has recently grown to an impressive twelve members.

Being affiliated with various local schools and colleges enables us to recruit, develop and mentor rising stars, while providing career pathways and opportunities. Through our apprenticeship programme, we invest heavily in the development, learning and progression of individuals, covering many facets of our business.

Simarco have introduced over fifty apprentices in the past five years and they operate in roles throughout the company. This includes positions in Warehousing, Customer Service, Human Resources and IT to Team Leader roles and the new industry-standard apprenticeship – International Freight Forwarding Specialist L3.

Simarco are committed to upskilling all employees and are continuously looking to develop our team professionally at all levels and in all functions. In addition to our commitment to the National Apprenticeship programme:

• Our Customs Teams are offered professional qualification opportunities with the Customs Academy.
• We have an ongoing certification programme for our dedicated team of drivers
• We have an in-house programme of training for our van drivers taking them to Class 2 Drivers.
• Our leaders are provided with the tools they need to lead with confidence with external coaching and training programmes.
• We are excited to be rolling out a Learning Management Platform so there will always be an opportunity to learn, whether it be workplace skills or upskilling compliance.

For more information on our apprenticeship programme and testimonials from some of our apprentices please visit https://simarco.com/jobs-and-careers/our-apprentices/.

From Our Hearts To The Families Of Ukraine

Two trucks left Simarco warehouses this month with aid for the many Ukrainian families that have been tragically displaced since the outbreak of hostilities in their own country.

A full artic load left our Witham facility on March 14th, which has now been delivered to humanitarian warehouses on the Ukrainian/Polish border. Meanwhile, a box vehicle left our premises in Stoke on Friday 25th March and is en-route to the same delivery point.

Both vehicles were full of donations from Simarco staff and family members, customers, partners, the general public and other organisations, such as schools and local authorities.

Products, from torches and colouring books to clothing, blankets and nappies, along with numerous medical supplies, filled the vehicles, after an appeal was launched and coordinated by our team.

It has been impossible to not be incredibly moved by the harrowing pictures coming from Ukraine, including scenes of so many families crossing the border, unsure whether they will ever see loved ones again.

2.2 million Ukrainians have arrived in Poland since the war started and they are now heavily reliant on donations and aid from across Europe for their everyday provisions.

We are extremely proud of the efforts of our team and would like to thank all of those that have so generously come together to make this happen through their help and donations.

Did You Know That Today Is Global Recycling Day !

Global Recycling Day is held every year on 18th March. This day is dedicated to recognising and celebrating the importance that recycling plays in preserving our natural resources and securing the future of our planet.  It is a day for the world to come together and to consider our recycling responsibilities. 

The Earth loses billions of tons of natural resources annually, and in the not-too-distant future, it is expected to run out. That’s why we all need to regularly consider what we throw away – seeing not waste, but opportunity.

Additionally, the last decade has been the hottest on record, which has led to experts suggesting we are now in a climate emergency. If we don’t collectively make rapid changes, we may continue to see rising global temperatures, impacting the entire world.

Simarco are heavily invested in a sustainable vision for the future. Our sustainability program incorporates continuous reductions in our carbon footprint, with recycling, treating and reprocessing of natural resources playing a key role.

Our sustainability strategy – Simarco’s 3P Vision – focuses the entire business around three key pillars – PEOPLE, PLANET and PROSPERITY.  As a proud member of the UN Global Compact Network UK, our approach to sustainability follows the United Nations compact principles and sustainability development goals.  

All that remains, is for us to wish you a Happy Global Recycling Day!