This coveted distinction is based on Honda’s global supplier evaluation system. With this award, HUM has recognised the exceptional contribution that has been made by DP World Southampton’s team throughout the year, ensuring that vital shipments made their delivery on time and making every effort to try to prevent unplanned stops on the production line.
Steve McCrindle, Head of Operations, DP World Southampton, said, “This award was a complete surprise. The team here at Southampton were just doing their job. However, we understand the pressures on our customers and we recognise our role as a vital link in the supply chain. We never forget that what happens in the container terminal can have a significant knock-on effect further along the supply chain.”
Commenting on what drives and motives his team, Steve added,”Our aim is to be the leading container terminal in the UK for customer service and it is really great to have the efforts of our team recognised by this award from one of the top players in the demanding automotive Industry”
In order to respond quickly to their customers’ needs, Honda employs the “just-in-time” production system and it is becoming more and more critical to produce products with the shortest possible lead-time. Suppliers are expected to have a reliable and flexible production system, which can react in a relatively short lead-time, and can be synchronized with their assembly lines.
Early this year, severe weather disrupted the UK and vessels were delayed or prevented from berthing and this put pressure on the ‘just-in-time’ system. Thanks to DP World Southampton’s planning and team of dockside operators, the company was able to discharge critical ‘hot boxes’ on a number of separate occasions, just-in-time for HUM’s assembly line. This in turn helped Honda to serve their customers in time.