Specialising in Far East to UK shipping SMS enables importers and in particular SME’s to achieve significant savings in freight costs.
The process starts with a free no obligation appraisal to understand existing processes and requirements in order to consider the most effective proposal and solutions for you. This includes an evaluation of the current service/supply against the key working practices of SMS listed below.
Costs
We assess costs against the best market freight rates.
Real time Market information
We have access to real time market information, hence you can be sure you are enjoying any rate reductions in the market place as they happen.
Unrestricted services
We work with multiple Shipping Lines, consolidators and forwarders giving unrestricted services and beneficial tailored solutions to match our clients needs.
Consolidation
We look at ways to ensure you are achieving the optimum container utilisation and consolidate LCL where possible.
Critical solutions
For time critical delivery requirements we are pro-active in finding and offering solutions to meet deadlines.
Duty tariffs
We check tariff headings being used to import to ensure you are paying the correct Duty rates.
Real time working
Office hours commence at 6.00am latest (and earlier during peak season) so that there is a good crossover of time to deal with Far East Shipping Lines to ensure that delays do not occur or opportunities lost due to time differences.
Transparent costs
Our charges and all freight costs from the Shipping Lines are totally transparent so you can be sure you are paying at market value and there are no unknown ‘fees’ etc added.
Pro-active management
We are pro-active across the whole supply chain process. Chasing suppliers prior to PO ready date, pre-booking space with the Shipping Lines, pre-entering to Customs, pre booking of haulage (both prior to vessel arrival) etc.
Partnership value
We believe in a Partnership approach to business and we will NOT undertake any assignment where we do not add more value & benefit than cost.
A wide spectrum of services is available to suit each clients needs.
At one end of the spectrum we provide a complete in-house solution cutting out the Freight Forwarder entirely. This can either be managed by SMS who essentially become part of the importers team or by us supporting you in structuring your own team and providing ongoing management and support.
In this scenario you are cutting out the middleman’s profit and in complete control of your supply chain. This is the area where REAL savings can be made. Dealings are directly with the Shipping line or consolidator and you have access to the complete market.
In practice some parts (although managed in house) are sill outsourced eg Customs Brokerage and origin booking.
At the other end of the spectrum SMS can manage your existing provider to ensure you are paying appropriately for their service & receive the best possible service.
The level of freight savings achievable will of course depend on how much of the function can be brought in house.
Most SME’s do not have their own Logistics manager and from time to time would like easy access to a source of independent logistics expertise and business acumen that could open up new markets or simply introduce more cost effective and efficient methods to the way things are currently done.
SMS can provide a consultancy/advisory service to support your needs.
• Help in negotiation & ongoing monitoring of costs of incumbent freight provider
• Bespoke Project management
• Customs Compliance advice
• Freight reviews & audits
• Support in establishing overseas contacts
• Advice regarding consolidation services to achieve better container utilisation
• Product Costing
This enables members to pool their buying power to have access to more favourable shipping rates. Members act independently of each other and just have to quote a reference no when booking with the Shipping Line. Minimum requirement to be a member is moving 100+ containers per annum.
Simon Glover, head of SMS has 25 years experience in Logistics supply.
A commercially minded Chartered Accountant who on entering the Freight Forwarding industry held Finance Director roles in the UK & Far East until 2001 before moving into more Commercial & Operational Director roles in Forwarding and with Importers.
Having both a detailed financial & operational background coupled with an entrepreneurial flair and a Global network, Simon is ideally placed to add considerable value to your supply chain.
