Customs Services looks for bigger premises

ALAN PEAT FORWARDING AND clearing agent Customs Services is currently looking at acquiring larger warehouse premises, with throughput volumes now straining the capacity of its current 1 500m2 facility, according to MD Chris Scott. “We have found a good market for bonded warehousing and storage for clients who are unable to store their own products,” he told FTW. “Our message is that we can offer warehousing as an extension of our services to our customers – an extra facility within our product chain.” Scott sees this function as one where cost-efficiency is paramount. “Warehousing,” he said, “is becoming more-and-more rate competitive, as so many new entrants are coming into this marketplace.” A second area of concentration for Customs Services is in the information technology (IT) that supports the operation and management of its warehousing. Speed, accuracy and reliability are the targets for which any operation intending to achieve cost-efficiency and profitability must aim, according to Scott. And the answer? “The technology of warehousing is now highly computerised,” Scott said, “offering the on-line control and management information that is required to hit those targets we aimed to achieve.”