Rolls-Royce’s naval marine business has contracted TNT Logistics to warehouse and distribute, as part of a five-year deal, equipment and material used in the repair and maintenance of marine gas turbine engines. The contract will operate from a 2,046sq m facility at Castle Donington in Leicestershire which has been developed alongside a TNT Logistics’ cross-dock operation handling materiel for Rolls-Royce aircraft engines.
A world leader in marine propulsion, engineering and hydrodynamics, Rolls-Royce offers a broad product range and systems integration capability. The manufacturer’s marine activities employ more than 7,000 people at production facilities in the UK, Scandinavia and North America and in sales and service offices in 34 countries. In 2003, its turnover was about £1Bn with revenues split about 50:50 between commercial and naval activities.
Rolls-Royce and TNT have worked together for five years.
The new warehouse is equipped with a computer-controlled heating system to ensure temperature and humidity levels are always within the specified limits. The 25,000 product lines in the warehouse range from small consumables, such as washers, to complete engine fan cases which can be up to 2m in diameter.
TNT employees will inspect all material entering the warehouse, from a simple check of packaging and labelling to a more thorough technical inspection. Parts will then be delivered as needed to Rolls-Royce facilities at Ansty and Bristol, to Ministry of Defence (MoD) locations and to Rolls-Royce customers overseas.
A parts collection service, which has been rolled out across the UK, Europe and North America, has been operated by TNT over the past three years. Much of the material for the naval marine business is already included in this service.
Neil Crossthwaite, TNT Logistics managing director, is delighted that another Rolls-Royce business has recognised the value of entering into a closer partnership with TNT. “We have worked very closely with Rolls-Royce over the years to develop state-of-the-art supply chain solutions.”
