Freight forwarder and logistics group Davies Turner has formed a new Ocean Division and restructured its operations as part of its efforts to consolidate its ocean freight services to support growth.

Shortly after announcing the moves, Davies Turner disclosed it had reached agreement with a Sri Lankan firm to provide eastbound consolidation for British exports in addition to its existing westbound consolidation and full load services between Sri Lanka and the UK.
With regard to the restructuring of operations, the company said it had brought all relevant sales, development and service departments within the Group under unified direction within the new Ocean Division.
Kieron Larkin, appointed director to head the division, will work in close cooperation with John McCartney - UK sales director. Reporting to Larkin in addition to the operating departments are the four trade lane/route development managers responsible for developing the main regional markets and for managing relations with overseas partners for consolidations, FCL, project and supply chain services. Each of the four managers has been assigned specific ocean freight trade lanes, respectively for the Far East including China; India and South Asia; North America; and the Middle East.
“We already have a successful separate trading subsidiary for air cargo, and specialist brands like fashion logistics, books & publishing distribution, as well as automotive components,” said Philip Stephenson, joint managing director of Davies Turner.
 “Group structure is also clearly defined for overland (trailer) services, warehousing and logistics, which is user-friendly and brings further client benefits in the form of accessibility and clear accountability.”
The creation of a division that is dedicated to the build-up of its oceanfreight services was a further sign of the company’s increasing strength in those markets,” said Stephenson.
“Underpinning these services is our continuing investment in ICT. Customers are now making much greater use of our interactive track and trace systems via our website and those with additional requirements have worked with our own software developers on comprehensive supply chain management programmes.”
“Our ocean trade lane managers also work closely with our sales staff based at our 23 branches around the UK and Ireland as well as making regular trips overseas. It’s essential to understand the requirements of importers and exporters - also third country cross-traders - at first hand.”
Ocean freight is responsible for approximately 25 per cent of Davies Turner’s overall turnover, which was ‘approximately GBP30 million ($54.7 million) in the last financial year. Teu traffic handled by the company grew from approximately 33,000 to a total of approximately 40,000 - just over 20 per cent.
 “Operationally, we are very strong. By enhancing our sales and development efforts through the creation of a dedicated division, we aim to increase our customer base and achieve greater market share in particular product groups for the countries served, as well as handling routed cargo consigned to us by our agents and overseas partners,” said Stephenson.
Discussing the latest moves, a company spokesman said: “Davies Turner hopes this initiative will help it to counter market perception that it is strong on overland freight forwarding services, warehousing and logistics, but not so strong on NVOCC oceanfreight activities. The reality is that oceanfreight contributes a similar amount to group turnover as airfreight and overland and the company is keen to keep growing this area of its operations.”
The tie-up with the Sri Lankan party was signed with Freight Links International
The two companies are leading forwarders in their respective countries. Freight Links is headquartered in Colombo, and has strategic offices in the country’s Free Trade Zones and at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Davies Turner has 23 freight hubs and satellite branches throughout the UK and Ireland.
The two companies will work together to offer weekly sailings from Tilbury to Colombo for less than container load (LCL) and full-load cargoes. Regular eastbound sailings started in July.
“For some time, we have been investigating how to enhance our operations in the trade between the UK and Sri Lanka,” explained Stephenson. “Westbound, we’ve worked with Freight Links for many years, but the extended agreement now covers eastbound shipments for co-loaders for whom we act as a neutral NVO, as well as for our own direct customers. We expect this expanded relationship to provide a big boost to our export services to Sri Lanka, allowing us to grow our market presence in this trade.
“We look forward to further developing our working relationship with Freight Links. It gives Sri Lankan customers an excellent support structure in the UK.
“By the same token we can help those moving consignments via Sri Lanka to third countries. As well as being an expanding market in its own right, Colombo acts as a springboard for trade with other countries throughout the Indian Ocean. With specialist input from our partner in Sri Lanka, we can help businesses develop their exports to Sri Lanka, as well as the other countries in the region.”
From the UK and Ireland, Davies Turner’s Ocean Division consolidates freight for Sri Lanka through its nationwide network of depots. Davies Turner Air Cargo already works exclusively with Freight Links International, offering expedited air cargo services between the UK and Sri Lanka.