Mainfreight-dartford

Davies Turner has further strengthened its portfolio of scheduled daily overland trailer services between the UK and the Netherlands following the signing of an exclusive cooperation agreement with the Dutch subsidiary of the Mainfreight Group.

Davies Turner said the new alliance, which begins on 1 June, is another sign of its commitment to the so-called ‘short haul’ markets of the Netherlands, Belgium and France, where competition is fierce and many freight forwarders no longer provide a full service network.

The development builds upon the successful working relationship the independent freight forwarding and logistics company already has with Mainfreight in Belgium and France, and brings further synergies to its cross-channel trailer operations for the Benelux region.

Daily overland trailer services will operate between Mainfreight’s hub in ’s-Heerenberg on the Dutch-German border and Davies Turner’s regional distribution hubs at Dartford (pictured) and Coleshill.

The services will provide groupage or full-load operations at very competitive prices, as well as a comprehensive collection and next day delivery system throughout both countries.

Mainfreight is a listed-New Zealand logistics and transport company headquartered in Auckland, and a global supply chain business with over 250 branches around the world.

In ’s-Heerenberg, it has more than 110,000 sq m (1.2m sq ft) of warehousing for cross-dock operations and long term storage, and offers high quality, value-added logistics services.

Philip Stephenson, chairman of Davies Turner says that while the European road freight market has naturally been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, there is still significant volume of freight moving across multiple industry sectors.

“As a further strengthening of our European network, we are delighted to be announcing this partnership with a carefully selected, regionally strong, independent and like-minded partner, with which we are already cooperating in other markets. This gives us confidence that as European economies and businesses start the recovery process, in the medium and long term future there will be further opportunities on this particular trade lane.

“Our freight flows on the route are already healthy and despite the current difficult trading conditions we continue to maintain a full, nationwide collection and distribution service for our customers and overseas partners.”

Ruud Tousain, Mainfreight’s network manager Europe added: “Both companies are already working with each other in other European markets and are also members of System Alliance Europe. We have a shared ambition to quickly establish ourselves as the leading players in overland groupage services between the UK and Holland.

“We echo Davies Turner's commitment to offering effective, high quality services backed by integrated IT systems, financial stability and professional personnel.”

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