DLC impacts Europe's biggest logistics congress

Proffitt was speaking to the plenary session at the German Logistics Congress in Berlin, the 22nd edition of Europe's biggest annual logistics conference, attended by 3,600 supply chain, transport and logistics delegates from more than 25 countries.

"By using DLC as a distribution hub for the greater region, companies can regain control of their distribution channels and ensure significant inventory reduction and customer service level improvements by 20%," said Proffitt.

"The platform will allow product localisation for individual markets at less than 60% of the costs compared to European locations, making Dubai Logistics City a highly coveted facility for companies looking to control spiralling supply chain management, repackaging and storage costs.

"Direct deliveries into target markets, will also be possible from DLC, making the use of expensive European or regional warehouses redundant."

Proffitt also said that DLC - under construction in Jebel Ali - will enable direct sales into regional markets by merging custom made products with these held in stock, dramatically reducing time to market.

"A new generation PC can be sold to the consumer 3-4 months earlier than today - that's a whopping leap forward for electronic goods manufacturers and other business specialising in time-critical products.

"DLC is the ideal location to improve local supply chains and regional logistics and companies using it as their base will be able to reduce sea-to-air shipment transit times in Dubai by at least 24 hours," said Proffitt.

"The creation of an integrated multi-modal logistics facility such as DLC brings increased efficiency in managing supply chains in the region and internationally. DLC will help boost all companies' bottom-line regional performance. By launching DLC, Dubai has attained a major milestone in playing a pivotal role in global supply chain management.

"Customers can take advantage of increased quality and productivity and organisations with DLC facilities, will benefit from improved efficiencies and competitiveness," said Proffitt.

DLC received a warm welcome by the industry's major players, including confirmation by Kuehne + Nagel, a leading global logistics provider and winner of this year's Logistics Award for the best integrated logistics solution for the global aviation market, that it has already selected the facility as the prime location to further develop its business in the greater Middle East.

"Especially for our contract logistics services, DLC delivers what we need; within DLC we will focus on important industry sectors, such as our award-winning solutions in the aviation industry, as well as on high-tech, pharma, retail and consumer goods, automotive, industrial and chemicals in combination with extensive supply chain management services," said Dirk Reich, Board Member, of award winning Kuehne + Nagel.

DLC's presence in Berlin comes hard on the heels of its participation at Singapore's Supply Chain Management and Logistics Event, and will be followed by a strong involvement at the Global Supply Chain Conference to be held in Dubai next February.