C4 Logistics Newsletter - January / February 2008

Welcome to the first bi-monthly newsletter from C4 Logistics.  Every two months we’ll be bringing industry news and comment along with information and offers.

C4 Logistics Directors
Sebastien Barth, Steve Chadwick, Oliver Gavrois and Fred Cesarion

In a bid to provide easier access to information and services from C4 Logistics a new website was launched in January 2008.  The site provides details of all our delivery and collection services as well as providing access to on-line track and trace facilities, live traffic reports and other useful resources.  Visit the new site here.

C4 Logistics has been named as a finalist in the special services section of the British International Freight Association (BIFA) Awards 2007 and in January 2008 the company was awarded further recognition for it’s quality standards, being granted the ISO 9001 quality mark.

“Being picked as a finalist in the BIFA Awards is an incredible achievement. It is a testament to the hard work that everyone who works here puts in,” said Sebastien Barth, founding Director of C4 Logistics.

“When we started C4 Logistics, I said we would never say no to a customer – and we never have. We will always find a way to find a transportation solution for our customers. I think it is that ethos that has helped us to get here.”

“The ISO accreditation, whilst perhaps less glamorous, is an industry recognized quality mark which proves we have systems and procedures in place to offer a consistent, quality service to our clients.  In the logistics industry this is crucial, and we believe it helps set us apart from many of our competitors.”

The BIFA finalists award was presented to C4 Logistics at a ceremony in London on the 17th of January 2008.

This month – Did you know local French transport restrictions prevent commercial vehicles over 7.5 tonnes travelling after 10pm the night before a Bank Holiday and throughout a Bank Holiday period?

If you’ve got a consignment that needs to be transported through France over a Bank Holiday weekend you need to allow for these restrictions.

Using a logistics company with the ‘French connection’ can help.  C4 Logistics, with our French speaking operators, extensive knowledge of the transport network in France and the ability to call on a network of trusted European partners, can find solutions to apparently impossible logistics challenges.  Call C4 Logistics on 0845 130 4044 to find out more.

In October 2007 Aston Martin showcased their new DB9’s to high profile journalists with C4 Logistics help.

On the twisting roads and glorious surroundings of Cahors, Southern France the writers were let loose on the new super car.

C4 Logistics was called on to provide logistical support to deliver and collect essential equipment to make sure the car’s performed.

Vehicles from our Coventry depot transported the supplies from the Aston Martin factory in Gaydon via the Portsmouth/Caen crossing and through France to the final destination in Cahors, a round trip of 1,400 miles, taking four days to complete.

All went without a hitch and the two drivers Mick Hubbard and Lee Deegan even had a glimpse of the new car in action.

If you have a critical assignment to deliver call C4 logistics on 0845 130 4044 and let us take care of it.

Just before Christmas C4 Logistics made a special delivery to Pinewood studios – a pallet of champagne collected from Reims, near Paris, for 007 himself.  At least that’s what the drivers have been telling everyone!  All we know for sure is that it had to be delivered to the set of the new James Bond movie unshaken and unstirred.

On a recent freight collection for Delphi from Germany our communications infrastructure was tested to the full when just three hours into the journey there were delays around Stuggart. One hour later a road closure caused by a serious accident on the A8 delayed our dedicated vehicle by six hours. The driver tried to avoid the traffic but this proved impossible. The following morning he arrived in the UK only to be delayed again on the M25.

Although his progression was hampered on route, the driver managed to gain time and arrive at the destination just 50 minutes late.

The logistics manager for Delphi in Luton explains his view of the situation. “The delivery was late which was not ideal but because we received live information every two hours via email and C4’s web-tracking service, we were aware of the problems involved. Such is C4 Logistics high standard we accept there will be times with the odd delay. However, we continue to be impressed with both their level of service and delivery performance.”

If you want a logistics company who will keep you informed every step of the way call C4 Logistics on 0845 130 4044

Not unless the Government does something about the tax on them, at least that’s the view of C4 Logistics sales and marketing director, Steve Chadwick.

The C4 Logistics Directors recently attended the BP sponsored bio-fuels conference held in Newark, Nottinghamshire.  Steve takes up the story, “The benefits financially are obvious.  Bio-fuels cost around 42p per litre to produce and if it wasn’t for the 30p tax there would be a massive saving against the current 90p plus per litre price we are paying.  As it is the saving is a more modest 20p per litre.”

“As a company we are significantly impacted by rising fuel prices and we know how much such price hikes affect our customers so we are always looking at opportunities to find a cheaper way to deliver time critical transport services.  Bio-fuels could just be that answer.  So watch this space.

Our target is to achieve 98% customer satisfaction.  Here’s how we are doing:

Number of jobs completed in October, November and December:  2917