Editor’s Comment
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Storage Handling Distribution – promoting excellence in intralogistics
Editor
Peter.MacLeod@
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Contributing Editor – Property David Thame
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Peter
MacLeod Editor
COMMENT
During the course of a typical working day, I will receive around 25 press releases in my email inbox. The majority of these will describe the company in question as ‘the leading’ company in its sector. In virtually every instance, it is impossible for me to confirm whether or not this is the case. After all, what is the definition of ‘leading’? Is it the largest? The longest- established? The most profitable? I look at each claim in isolation, and in 99 cases out of 100, I’ll remove the claim, or alter it to read ‘a leading’ company or ‘one of the leading’ companies. The only exceptions are those companies which totally dominate their sectors – ie boast a market share greater than 50%. Examples from our sector that spring to mind are Pyroban and Interroll.
Over the past month, I have been fortunate to have visited two major UK container ports, one of which has been in operation since containerisation changed the face of international logistics, and another that has yet to be built, but is already predicting leadership. Each has a strong case to describe itself as the UK’s ‘leading container port’. Those of you who take an interest in the TV property shows will be familiar with the expression “Location, location, location” as a response to the question: “What are the three most important factors in determining the desirability of a property or real estate?” Therefore, living and working in central London, it’s very easy for me to appreciate the strong case that DP World’s London Gateway puts, namely that 15 million consumers are located within 80km of the development on the north bank of the Thames. However, I’m not one of those editors who remains firmly rooted within the M25; to research a future SHD feature, I whizzed up the A12 to look at what Felixstowe – the UK’s largest container port – has to offer. Just over 100km to the M25, Felixstowe’s not exactly stuck out on a limb. Moreover, with each port boasting of its rail links, Felixstowe can claim the upper hand, in as much as it is situated closer to the strategic ‘Golden Triangle’ of logistics hubs in central Britain.
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I don’t wish to take the steam out of a future article I am putting together, so in the meantime, I leave you with the question: Which one’s better? Felixstowe or London Gateway? London Gateway or Felixstowe? There’s only one way to find out... now, where’s Harry Hill when you need him?
www.shdlogistics.com
Storage Handling Distribution August 2012 5
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