Background
CEVA Logistics, a leading global logistics and supply chain company, operates a 76-acre site at Sheerness that is home to automotive logistics and vehicle preparation. Vehicles arrive by ship and are discharged, stored and where required converted onsite before being distributed to dealers across the UK.
Pre-delivery inspection, vehicle conversion, recall campaigns, body shop repairs and chauffeured deliveries are just some of the extensive range of services CEVA supports. Given its proximity to London and several major motorways, the site is perfectly located for quick distribution, especially to the dense dealer networks in the South-east.
Challenge
Vehicle demand sees seasonal peaks, typically around March and September when new registrations become available. During these months, CEVA experiences significant increases in the volume of vehicles arriving at the Sheerness site. Managing the heavy volume poses a logistical challenge, as the space becomes sparse if not well managed.
CEVA must ensure operations continue uninterrupted despite surging inbound vehicles which typically occur at month-end as well as the bi-annual peaks. Without additional space and resources, the operation becomes at risk for delays in offloading vehicles from ships, completing necessary preparation work and delivering them to the dealers. These delays could result in major disruptions in the supply chain, impacting CEVA’s customers and affecting its reputation for timely service.
Results
Peel Ports has been instrumental in helping CEVA overcome these operational challenges. Peel Ports provides on-demand overspill land, enabling CEVA to store vehicles temporarily when volumes are surging. This flexible arrangement allows CEVA to manage increased demand without compromising operational efficiency or customer satisfaction.
The effectiveness of this solution was particularly evident this year when Peel Ports provided additional overspill land at various locations around the Port. This extra capacity allowed CEVA to store an additional 6,500 vehicles, significantly enhancing their ability to manage peak periods and sudden surges in shipping volumes.
This means CEVA can plan ahead for peak periods and surges in shipping volumes, expanding operational capacity at short notice, and without disruption to its operations. Peel Ports’ support has helped CEVA build a reliable, scalable solution that supports its long-term growth in the highly competitive automotive logistics sector.