JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
5th March 2010
UPDATE: The below update was received overnight from our colleagues in Chile.
We are pleased to inform that the Chilean office is operative since Thursday 4th. Whilst our servers were damaged in the earthquake, we are able to connect to the JF Hillebrand network, so are resuming close to normal operations.
The Port of San Antonio is now operating, but with some congestion. The Port of Valparaiso is operating at normal levels and capacity.
Our Chilean colleagues have commented that they have really appreciated all the messages of support that they have received following the earthquake. It has meant a lot to them as they come to terms with the dramatic and devastating events of Saturday and subsequently.
JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
3rd March 2010
UPDATE: The below update was received overnight from our colleagues in Chile.
Although the situation continues to improve in Chile, there has not been much progress since the last update.
We have had it confirmed that our office building has not suffered any major structural damage. A few security checks are still in order: water pipes, electric wirings, smoke detectors, but will only be conducted when power has been re-instated. This should happen during the day on Wednesday, which means that our staff could be back at work on Thursday (still to be confirmed).
It is only then that we will know whether our local computer servers are working or not and they were thrown about in the quake. We will invoke appropriate contingencies as may be required once this is known.
The port of Valparaiso is working at 90% of its capacity, but San Antonio is only partially operational, many areas of the port still without power.
We will issue more information as it becomes available.
JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
2nd March 2010
UPDATE: The below update was received overnight from our colleagues in Chile.
We are pleased to announce that the situation is steadily improving for our Chilean office. The office will remain closed on Tuesday, March 2nd with only a skeleton staff checking in. The building will be inspected on Tuesday to detect any potential structural damages. Water supply has been restored and power should be re-instated on Wednesday.
If the building were to be declared unsafe, JF Hillebrand Chile is prepared to temporarily move to a nearby location as per our contingency plan.
The port of Valparaiso is now officially open and working. San Antonio, still without power, should re-open on Wednesday. The international road is open with Argentina. The Shipping Lines have advised they intend to maintain their schedules at both ports, but delays are to be expected. Calls are cancelled in the Southern ports, but this does not affect the wine shipments. Export loadings will be limited to containers already in the stacking area.
Our office is currently working to establish the status of orders at the port awaiting shipment.
Severe disruptions are to be expected for future shipments in the coming weeks as a lot of wineries located south of Santiago are reporting serious damage.
We will issue more information as it becomes available, including contingency details, and kindly ask for your understanding in the meantime.
JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
1st March 2010
UPDATE (17.20GMT): we have recieved notification that the international road between Chile and Argentina is now open.
JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
1st March 2010
Following the earthquake that struck Chile early on Saturday morning, our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the devastation.
We have received information from our Chilean colleagues that all of our staff there are safe, and the office appears to have suffered only minor damage. However, the whole Santiago area is in a state of emergency, without power or water. As such JF Hillebrand’s Chile office will be closed from Monday March 1st and no firm date can be set at this stage for its re-opening. A more complete assessment will be conducted whenever possible.
Pending further confirmation, it appears that the international road between Chile and Argentina is closed, and so are the ports of Valparaiso and San Antonio as well as the Santiago international airport.
We will issue more information as it becomes available, and kindly ask for your understanding in the meantime.
JF Hillebrand UK strengthens service proposition through acquisition of ABV Logistics
18th January 2010
JF Hillebrand has strengthened its capability to provide dedicated wine and beverage logistics services with the acquisition of another specialist beverage forwarder, ABV Logistics Ltd.
The agreement presents both companies with a unique opportunity to further enhance levels of specialist service, while providing customers with a viable, comprehensive and innovative alternative to the commodity approach of large general forwarders.
“With this acquisition, we are able to augment our extensive global range of services using ABV Logistics’ particular strength in Iberia and Italy, where their service coverage is impressive,” said JF Hillebrand UK Chairman, Tom Yusef.
“There is also great synergy in terms of the culture of the two specialist teams. Both are founded on an ethos of a totally customer-focused approach and, by combining, we have created a much stronger and capable organisation to serve our customers’ existing and future requirements.”
ABV Logistics’ need is accommodated - to provide broader value in the current competitive climate - while JF Hillebrand UK is able to present its comprehensive service offering to a wider client base.
The two businesses will continue to operate as normal and all customer contacts remain unchanged. It is intended that in due course, the ABV Logistics team, currently based in Wickford, will relocate to JF Hillebrand UK’s West Thurrock offices.
“Clients of both companies will benefit from the strong multi-carrier relationships in all trade lanes,” says Mr Yusef.” ABV Logistics’ customers will also enjoy a wider selection of route options and improved access to space and equipment, supported by JF Hillebrand’s award winning AXIS information management system.”
Gary Gordon of ABV says: “ABV Logistics has swiftly gained a reputation for skill and personal service and the acquisition by JF Hillebrand UK will ensure that our customers enjoy the benefits of a range of large scale operations of exclusive beverage-only services that give them the edge in the current competitive environment.”
Carbon Calculator – new routing options released
7th November 2009
With the increasing focus on the wine industry’s impact on the environment, JF Hillebrand’s Carbon Calculator has proved a real hit amongst shippers keen to understand their carbon footprint and how this might be reduced by making simple choices within the supply chain. We have recently added a number of new routes to the Carbon Calculator, which now includes the following trade lanes -
- Argentina to Europe
- Australia to Europe/New Zealand/Russia/Singapore/USA
- Belgium to Australia/China/Europe/USA
- Chile to Europe/Canada/China/Colombia/Mexico/Russia/South Korea/USA
- France to Far East/USA
- Germany to Far East/USA
- Italy to Australia/Far East/USA
- Japan to USA
- Mexico to USA
- New Zealand to Australia/Europe/Russia/USA
- South Africa to Angola/Europe/NZ/Russia/USA
- Spain to Far East/USA
- Netherlands to Australia/Finland/USA
- Uruguay to Europe/Russia/Latvia
- USA to European/Russia
Try the Carbon Calculator for yourself - you’ll find it in the Tools and Resources section of our website.
JF Hillebrand names Boland Vineyards International as Supply Chain Partner of the Year
10th June 2009
JF Hillebrand Supply Chain Management presented Boland Vineyards International with the Supply Chain Partner of the Year award during a ceremony at the London International Wine Fair.
The Supply Chain Management model is based around collaboration, and working together to increase efficiency. The Supply Chain Partner of the Year awards are our way of recognizing the efforts made by our partners in contributing to the ongoing success of the supply chain, and are presented to the partner who has embraced the SCM process and shown outstanding contribution to its workings and results.
Boland Vineyards, situated in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, is a progressive cellar fast realising its potential. The company joined JF Hillebrand’s innovative Supply Chain Management programme in 2007, and now supplies its core brands Boland Kelder and Kroon van Oranje through the scheme. In 2008 Boland Vineyards shipped over one hundred and twenty thousand cartons of wine through the program.
Jean du Toit, Managing Director, collected the award on behalf of Boland Vineyards. He said: “The Supply Chain Management program has helped us to optimize our internal operation, providing better planning and management of the production and bottling of stock. Delivering a high quality service is very important to us and this scheme has enabled us to consistently meet the demands of our agent on time. I am very proud to accept this award which recognises the part we have played in maintaining JF Hillebrand’s excellent service levels.”
Rob Turvey, Managing Director of JF Hillebrand Supply Chain Management, presented a prize cheque of ZAR18, 000 (approximately £1500) which Boland Vineyards has chosen to donate to SPCA-PAARL, a South African charity working to prevent animal cruelty.
“Boland’s customer focussed ethos means they have a very clear focus on delivering availability and reliability,” said Rob Turvey. “They have shown how the Supply Chain Management programme can be used to help companies achieve these goals and, over the last year, have consistently delivered against all customer demand in full and on time.”
JF Hillebrand achieves ISO 14001 Accreditation
21st May 2009
Following the assessment of our offices in Thurrock and Dover, JF Hillebrand UK recently gained ISO 14001 accreditation. We are delighted to have achieved this important Environmental certification, making us the first company in our sector to reach the accreditation standard.
As a business JF Hillebrand strives to act responsibly towards the environment - minimising our energy and water consumption, reducing wasteful practices and recycling the waste we generate as efficiently as possible.
The ISO 14001 accreditation once again demonstrates JF Hillebrand’s ongoing commitment to acting responsibly in this area and our leading example within the beverage logistics market.
JF Hillebrand at the London International Wine Fair
6th May 2009
We look forward to welcoming customers to the London International Wine Fair, May 12-14, 2009. We are one of 1,300 exhibitors at the Excel exhibition centre in the Docklands for this important industry event. Please visit us at Stand G22.
This year our stand for the fair has been redesigned and updated.
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We are also sponsoring a seminar with The Drinks Business called “Collaborate to Succeed: How to survive the economic downturn by working together”. This takes place on the first day, Tuesday May 12, from 11am to 12.30pm, in the South Gallery Rooms.
Topics covered include the importance of innovation in recessionary times, how to make your money work harder and unleashing the power of collaboration. We also ask if CSR, Fairtrade and being “green” still have a future in the credit crunch.
For more information on the London International Wine Fair, please visit www.londonwinefair.com
JF Hillebrand proud to support Red Nose Wine project
9th March 2009
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It was with a chuckle that JF Hillebrand played a crucial role in the Red Nose Wine project – and for no laughing matter. The first ever Comic Relief wines, in Red Nose Red (Pinotage/Shiraz) and Red Nose White (Chenin Blanc), are currently on sale in the UK. The goal is to raise £750,000 before Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day on March 13.
JF Hillebrand shipped the wines, which the vineyard provided at cost, in bulk at a reduced rate. On reaching the UK the wine was then transported by rail from Tilbury to Liverpool and then by road the short distance to Quinn Glass for bottling.
All together the bulk shipments and environmentally friendly transport methods will deliver a total carbon emission savings of over 1,276 tonnes compared to traditional methods!
The two wines, both excellent 2008 vintage from SAAM Mountain Vineyard in the South African region of Paarl were made, processed and delivered with the highest environmental and ethical credentials. JF Hillebrand was proud to be a part of this project since the wines serve as such positive adverts for sustainable wine practices. Red Nose Day is the main fund raising event for the Comic Relief organization whose mission is to unite the UK to “make a difference to the lives of people living in abject poverty, or facing terrible injustice, both across Africa and in the UK.
To see more on our involvement in this project, along with a movie showing the journey made by the Red Nose Wine, click here.
JF Hillebrand announce launch of VinLiner product
14th November 2008
To enable wines and spirits arrive at their final destination in optimum condition, JF Hillebrand is today launching its new VinLiner product. Developed entirely by the JF Hillebrand Group, VinLiner is a protective liner foil which is placed in dry containers to protect wine against thermal shocks, bad smells and humidity infiltration that might occur during transport.
Designed specifically for the transport of beverages, and being rolled out across JF Hillebrand’s network of offices in Europe and the New World, VinLiner offers the most advanced cargo protection available on the market.
“Wine and spirits are highly perishable products, sensitive to changes in temperature,” said Pierre Corvisier, JF Hillebrand’s Director of New Services. “Different climates and unpredictable weather conditions around the world can lead to wines being exposed to unforeseen extremes of humidity and temperature – adversely affecting quality, and damaging the product. VinLiner provides the solution: offering a new level of protection between a dry container and a temperature controlled reefer.”
In transit, wine shipped in general purpose containers can be exposed to temperatures of up to 55°c/ 131°f, and sharp drops in relative humidity. With global container volumes on the rise, we are seeing increased port congestion, bigger ships and more ports of relay – all of which mean containers often spend longer on the quay and in transit.
VinLiner provides a cost effective solution: dramatically reducing the impact of temperature and humidity shifts during day and night, and protecting wines from radiation and thermal forces that occur on the ship and on the port terminals. As a result, VinLiner considerably reduces the consequences of exposure to temperature and humidity extremes - namely deterioration in quality or taste of the product, leakage, overheating and freezing, and the production of Ethyl Carbamate.
VinLiner also protects cargo from condensation and moisture within the container which can damage labels, caps, closers and cartons. It also protects against other irritants within the container - from water spills, to bad smells and contamination associated with wooden container floors and container paint that can often contain naphthalene.
There are also environmental advantages. Weighing only 14kg per 20ft container, VinLiner’s impact on the carbon footprint of a container shipment is negligible, especially when compared to shipping in a heavier, less efficient and less cost effective temperature controlled ‘reefer’ container. In markets where reefer containers are unavailable or are too expensive, VinLiner provides a cost effective and functional solution. With JF Hillebrand fitting stations located in every major wine producing area, VinLiner is user friendly and easy to install.
VinLiner is supported by VinRoute, JF Hillebrand’s internal database of certified historical shipping and meteorological data, allowing us to see the average outside temperature and humidity conditions that shipments will face as they travel from origin to destination. Using VinRoute, wineries and importers are able to make informed judgements about how best to ensure their product arrives on the shelf in optimum condition - be it deciding to ship in a dry container, a reefer, or by using VinLiner.
JF Hillebrand win Best Logistics Company award
21st May 2008
JF Hillebrand were today announced the Best Logistics Company 2008 at the Drinks Business Awards. The awards, held at the London International Wine Fair, are amongst the most prestigious awards in the drinks industry. 2008 is the third time JF Hillebrand has won this award since the awards were introduced in 2004.
According to the Drinks Business, the judges were particularly impressed by JF Hillebrand’s current efforts toward: “Improving their impact upon the environment and in helping their customers to understand the challenges that new, greener legislation presents the drinks industry as a whole.”
“JF Hillebrand have really put their money where their mouth is in the past 12 months when it comes to providing more environmentally friendly wine supply chain solutions,” said one of the judges. “Their hefty investment in the Wine Train has put them at the forefront of their industry when it comes to helping their customers, and the trade at large, understand more about how we can ship wine in a more effective way that is, at the same time, kinder on the environment.”
The news of the award comes just one day after JF Hillebrand announced the launch of their new Transport Carbon Calculator. The calculator, which was designed in partnership with the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WISTA), works out CO2 emission results that incorporate all aspects of a shipment; such as the mode of transport, distance and size of the load. The Transport Carbon Calculator is available for use on the JF Hillebrand web site.
JF Hillebrand launches The Wine Train
18th March 2008
JF Hillebrand, the UK's number one specialist logistics provider to the wine and spirits industry, has been hard at work over the last two-years to address major UK transportation concerns. With an emphasis on improving freight transport efficiency through better use of infrastructure, while supporting the wine and spirit industry’s commitment to minimising carbon emissions, JF Hillebrand is proud to be introducing their innovative Tilbury to Daventry Rail Service. “The Wine Train” will operate on a daily basis, with each train carrying over 350,000 bottles of wine.
The launch of this service involves a £1-million investment that has been undertaken by JF Hillebrand to address many environmental issues associated with transport. The Tilbury to Daventry service is estimated to save an average of 326 km (204 miles) per road-trip equivalent. This equates to at least 1.7 billion grams of CO2 savings per-year. The service is estimated to take 6000 vehicles off the heavily congested M25 and M1 major trunk routes per year. These motorways are widely recognised as two of the busiest roads in the UK.
L-R: David Mawer (Joint MD JF Hillebrand UK), Peter Maybury (MD Freightliner), Tom Yusef (JF Hillebrand Executive Board), Lord Berkeley (Chairman Rail Freight Group), Dave Boomer (Maritime Transport), Jeremy Hawkins (Head of Logistics, Fosters EMEA)
Foster’s EMEA, the UK’s division of Foster’s Group Limited, which is a major provider or wine from Australia, including such popular brands as Lindemans, Wolf Blass, Rosemount, Penfolds and Beringer is among the primary clients taking advantage of JF Hillebrand’s new rail service. Since trials of the rail service commenced earlier in 2008, 75% of Foster’s containers have been moved by rail from port to the inland rail terminal at Daventry. From here, they are then road hauled the short distance to Lutterworth.
According to Rob Hollis, Foster’s Director of Regional Supply and Production, “Foster’s is delighted to be supporting JF Hillebrand in this initiative. Along with measures we have already taken such as the light weighting of glass bottles, the use of PET bottles and the transfer of packaging of some products to the local market, this represents another important development for Foster’s.
Prior to the launch of the Wine Train initiative by JF Hillebrand, there was no existing freight service operating on this route. The company has worked closely with intermodal train operators Freightliner to develop a commercially viable service that compliments pre-existing lines. The company invested well-over two-years of development to create this solution in a cost-efficient manner, whereby their customers and clients would enjoy both environmental and supply chain performance benefits without enduring any additional costs.
The Daventry terminal is on the route normally taken by HGVs running up from Tilbury. JF Hillebrand reports a direct savings in so-called "road miles,” which equates to roughly 326 per container movement (this is the round trip distance between Tilbury and Daventry). The savings between road (63gCO2/tkm) and rail (20gCO2/tkm) is 43gm per tonne km x 326km = 14018 x an average of 20t payload per movement (conservative) = 280,360gm CO2 emissions per container shipped via the rail service.
In addition, JF Hillebrand reports that they have already been in negotiations with a couple of major retailers who have expressed an interest in reloading containers with cargo emanating from the East Midlands area for delivery to the South East. The overall positive effect of these new shipping relationships will both benefit the environment and lead to further reductions in road congestion.
JF Hillebrand at ProWein
12th March 2008
JF Hillebrand will be exhibiting at ProWein, which takes place between 16th and 18th March 2008. Please visit us in Hall 6, Stand G100.
The event, in Dusseldorf, Germany, is one of leading shows for the international wine and spirits industry, with 3,058 exhibitors from 43 countries, and around 31,639 visitors from 51 countries in 2007.
On our stand, members of JF Hillebrand’s global network will be on hand to discuss your logistics needs. In addition, our colleagues from Hillebrand Bulk will be on stand to demonstrate the very latest developments in bulk wine shipping.
The event is held at the Dusseldorf Exhibition Centre and is open daily from 9am until 6pm. For more information please visit ProWein’s website at www.prowein.de
JF Hillebrand launches dedicated bulk wine division
1st October, 2007
Following its acquisition of Trans Ocean Distribution, JF Hillebrand is proud to announce the launch of a dedicated bulk wine division. Hillebrand Bulk will give importers greater service options by combining the experience and expertise of the two companies’ bulk wine divisions.
“JF Hillebrand’s unrivalled knowledge of beverage transport, coupled with TOD’s expertise in the design, construction and use of flexibags makes a formidable team,” commented JF Hillebrand Executive Board Member Brendan McKenna. “Capitalising on the synergy of the two companies, Hillebrand Bulk will be able to provide customers the best possible service for the transport of wine in bulk, with technical expertise and customer service that is second to none.”
Hillebrand Bulk offers a full-service bulk wine solution, including supply and installation of their VinBulk flexitank. JF Hillebrand’s expertise in cased wine transport, combined with TOD’s extensive experience in bulk transport provides an unparalleled service combination in the protection of wines from extreme temperature fluctuations and other risks associated with long distance transport.
While the transportation of wine in bulk has traditionally represented just a fraction of the total volume of wine movements around the globe, bulk shipping is becoming increasingly popular for the transport wines. A single container load of wine in bulk is equivalent to over two container loads of cased wine. Not only does this significantly reduce transport costs, but it also reduces the associated carbon emissions. Furthermore, importing wines in bulk and bottling them in the destination country using recycled green glass, companies can further highlight their green credentials to retailers and consumers.
Trans Ocean Distribution joins JF Hillebrand Group to create the world’s leading company in liquids logistics.
5th April, 2007
JF Hillebrand Group, the world’s leading provider of logistic services to the beverage industry, has acquired 100% of the shares of Trans Ocean Distribution Limited, the leading and most innovative provider of transportation solutions to the bulk liquid shipping industry.
Headquartered in Mainz, Germany, JF Hillebrand employs 1000 people in 36 offices located in 22 countries throughout the world. The company reported a €500 million turnover in 2006.
Trans Ocean Distribution, headquartered in Southampton, UK, employs 250 people in 6 offices globally, and reported a €76 million turnover in 2006.
The combination of Trans Ocean Distribution’s unique and proven expertise in designing and manufacturing flexitanks for non-hazardous bulk liquids, alongside JF Hillebrand’s leading position in global beverage logistics, will offer to the beverage industry a strong market leader that can tailor a full and unique range of service solutions to a wide spectrum of logistics requirements.
Considering the growth opportunities in both the market for beverage logistics, and in the development of flexitank solutions for other markets, the JF Hillebrand and Trans Ocean Distribution management teams believe the combined organizational skills of both companies will be complimentary in locations where both companies presently operate.
Both management teams are enthusiastic about future development opportunities, and will together prepare a new organisational framework that will maintain the two existing brand names and optimise the high level of expertise existing within the two organisations. Brendan McKenna, President of Trans Ocean Distribution, will join the Executive Board of JF Hillebrand Group.