In a move aimed at increasing operational agility and optimising service delivery across the region, Svitzer is merging its UK north and south clusters.
When interviewed recently by MJ, Lise Demant, Managing Director, Svitzer Europe, spoke of how the Denmark-based towage provider is facing challenges from various disparate directions, some not directly associated with the industry as such, for example the Ukraine situation, the ripples of which extend beyond the region’s geographical borders.
Svitzer’s operation is global and includes a regional presence in Europe, where 58 ports and five terminals are served by 148 vessels and around 1,100 employees.
Its UK presence has involved two clusters, north and south, which are being merged into one unified team, Svitzer saying that bringing the teams together will enable it to streamline its operations, optimise customer service and manage the continued complexity in the region more effectively.
The company lists the effects of Covid-19, the war in Ukraine and, in the UK specifically, the implications of Brexit as challenges that have had to be addressed. In addition there is the increased competition and continuously developing customer demands that have increased the need for regional alignment.
“Empowering the local organisation and enabling faster decision making is key to remaining highly competitive and maintaining high customer satisfaction in the UK market,” says Svitzer.
The unified cluster will support improvements in reporting and operational agility by establishing a single UK management team. Port Managers, Cluster Technical Managers, the head of UK Crewing and the head of the UK Customer Service Centre will all report to the Cluster MD.
“The UK North and South clusters have built a strong business foundation with well-functioning local teams and a solid market position,” says Demant. “However, to navigate the increasing market complexity and thrive as a business going forward, we need more unified operations. Merging our UK clusters will further support us in optimising the use of our assets, increase operational agility and continue improving our service levels in the region.”
Svitzer’s presence in the UK is extensive, covering around 14 ports/areas ranging from Greenock and Grangemouth in the north to Southampton in the south, Harwich and Felixstowe in the east, Milford Haven in the west and Belfast in Northern Ireland.
