Salt has been amongst earth’s most abundant and essential minerals since the dawn of time. Today, salt helps to drive our economy, from food manufacturing and pharmaceuticals to road gritting, seasoning and water softening. Find out how Peel Ports Logistics has been able to adapt to growing business demands to provide competitive pricing and quality customer service.
The challenge
Online Rocksalt is a family run business, operating from Ormskirk, Lancashire, where the salt is stored, packed and then distributed. It is a key supplier of de-icing white and brown rock salt for schools, hospitals and businesses including Tesco across the UK.
This high quality product is imported from Egypt where it is loaded onto an 8,000 tonne vessel and arrives at Ellesmere Port in the North West. The market for this type of product is extremely seasonal and can present a supply chain challenge, with the need to upscale activity and manage that well in response to variations in winter temperatures. This requires a responsive and efficient supply chain partner that is able to adapt and respond to these changing requirements and at very short notice.
The solution
Peel Ports Logistics provide a range of services including ships agency, storage, discharge, onward transport as well as allocated quayside space to pack the de-icing product on site.
When the shipment arrives at Ellesmere Port, Peel Ports Logistics staff unload, transfer and transport the product via road to its operational base in Ormskirk.
Shipment sizes can comprise of up to 15,000 m tonnes. Thanks to the specialist facilities on site, including a mobile harbour crane capable of lifting 12,000t, it’s possible to discharge a vessel comprising of 500m tonnes of salt 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to meet client requirements. Peel Ports Logistic’s Ellesmere Port site offers the ideal combination of location, space, facilities and service to deliver an efficient turnaround.
Jack Bonner, Director, Online Rock Salt said: “We have been using Peel Ports Logistics since importing our first de-icing salt ships in 2005 and our tonnages through the port have increased year on year throughout this period. Ellesmere Port was perfect for our growing business due to both its location as well as the competitive pricing and level of customer service that we receive. Over the years we have utilised the quayside for storing loose salt, as well as an area for a mobile production line to pack the de-icing product on site.
“Peel Ports Logistics have been able to support our operations over the past 15 years, even during the harshest winters and we look forward to working with them in the years to come. It is refreshing to work with a company who meets all their customer demands.”
Sebastian Gardiner, Managing Director, Peel Port Logistics said: “We are delighted to have been working with Online Rocksalt over the past 15 years. We have watched the business grow from strength to strength and are proud to be a valued supply chain partner. We take extreme pride in providing a reliable, affordable and efficient service to meet the individual needs of our customers and ultimately adding value to their supply chain. We look forward to our continued partnership in the years to come.
To find out more about Online Rock Salt visit www.onlinerocksalt.co.uk