DMN Group has appointed James Hopkins, founder of Kendall One Consulting, as the interim MD and Maria Avery, former commercial director at City Auction Group as account director at their recently launched Rapid Logistics division .

Not only is James the interim MD, supporting the development of the service, overseeing business operations and ensuring the services’ mission, goals, and vision are met, but he is also joining the DMN Group board.

Through networking opportunities, DMN Group developed a professional working relationship with James and after numerous discussions, coupled with his background, DMN determined he was the right person to join the board.

Within this role, James will offer independent new and used car automotive supply chain advice, support and guidance. His previous roles included director of strategic development at BCA, MD at BCA Fleet Solutions and operations director & head of remarketing, LeasePlan.

Nick Chadaway, managing director at DMN Group said: “James has extensive experience in the automotive industry, with excellent skills in building strategic partnerships and has proven time and time again to be a driving force of growth and development, within his previous roles. He is an asset to the company and will undoubtedly help build the rapid logistics operation.”

In her new role, Maria will take on the operational leadership of a new fast-moving, time-critical vehicle logistics division, account managing complex public sector authority and outsourced fleet management companies, with demanding KPIs.

Maria’s past roles include, commercial director at City Auction Group; head of business at Tesla and sales manager roles at Norton Way Mazda, Sytner Mercedes Benz and Marshalls Toyota.

Nick added: “Maria has an extensive background in the motor industry. Her experience in leadership within a fast-paced, demanding environment makes her the ideal person for this position. Maria has a great aptitude for building and maintaining client relationships. She also possesses excellent planning and leadership abilities which we feel will help exceed performance KPIs and I believe will deliver on the financial expectations of the service.”

James Hopkins added, “I’m excited to take on these new roles at DMN. As a board member, my background in operational and product strategic development will help support their growth plans. And as interim MD, I will support every aspect of development for this service.”

Maria said, “I am thrilled to be joining DMN at an exciting time of expansion and growth. This new service is fast-paced, and demanding and I cannot wait to inject my expertise into this division and watch as it becomes a success.”

DMN Logistics has been awarded ISO 9001,14001, 27001 and 45001 accreditation certificates from the British Assessment Bureau, demonstrating competence and integrity within the Group as well as adding additional reassurance to stakeholders and customers.

The British Assessment Bureau offers UKAS-accredited certification and is the only government-backed body for ISO certification in the UK. Accreditation determines the competence and integrity of the organisations offering reassurance that there has been a rigorous testing and certification service.¹

Collectively, these certificates represent DMN’s commitment to ensuring their business is environmentally aware, takes a positive and proactive approach to the health and safety of their employees; provides a quality assured service to customers; and is able to securely manage customers information.

Nick Chadaway, managing director at DMN, said: “We are extremely proud of these ISO accreditations. We work tirelessly to ensure we are compliant in every aspect of our business and these certificates highlight our commitment to providing a superior level of service to our customers and staff.

“We took the unusual decision to attain all four accreditations at the same time and that we achieved this will reassure potential and existing customers, and our team, that our approach to business is the right one. We care about our employees and are committed to the health and safety of all our staff.

“We are environmentally aware throughout all of our processes and services, and we have some amazing, secure IT systems in place that manage and protect all of our customers’ data. To back all of this up we have a quality management system in place for all of our processes to ensure our service is always first-class.

“We are constantly preparing for the future, and these accreditations help support that.”

ISO 14001 recognises DMN has environmental management systems in place that allow them to identify, manage, monitor and control environmental processes, validating their green credentials, reducing costs, overheads and wastage and ensuring legislative awareness and compliance.

DMN’s Quality Management System achieved the ISO 9001 accreditation, which shows their ability to implement clear, repeatable processes that help maintain a quality service for their customers every time – improving performance efficiency and productivity to achieve operational excellence.

As a business, a commitment to improving workplace safety for employees led to the ISO 45001 accreditation. This includes factors such as reducing employee injuries, assessing risk and monitoring workplace activities – demonstrating commitment to safety.

The ISO 27001 Information Security Management accreditation recognises DMN’s robust data systems’ ability to securely manage information assets and data such as customer and employee details, financial information and third-party data. Their systems assess information security risks, have robust security controls and processes in place, and embed information security management.

1. British Assessment Bureau

DMN Logistics has completed the acquisition of JLL Vehicle Distribution, boosting its EV and transported vehicle logistics operation.

Alvechurch-based JLL Vehicle Distribution, established as a father and son business in 2010, offers boutique and EV transport operations for Inchcape, Autorola, Audi as well as other large dealer groups, vehicle brokers and multiple brands. The business also provides delivery, vehicle transfer services and customer handovers to the corporate and dealer sectors.

DMN Logistics initially approached JLL Vehicle Distribution director James Lee to explore collaborative opportunities. Following extensive talks, both parties agreed upon a full acquisition of JLL.

Nick Chadaway, managing director at DMN Logistics, said: “Both our companies specialise in vehicle logistics but the scale we want to achieve in the marketplace cannot be accomplished as quickly as we hope if we are separate entities.”

The deal enables DMN Logistics to leverage increasing opportunities with many of the emerging Chinese and American OEMs, which are seeking expansion into the UK and growth in the vehicle logistics marketplace.

Chadaway continued: “We have ambitious plans to expand in the EV logistics and automotive sectors and this strategic acquisition will help achieve our aims. With the JLL business, we are able to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the new entrants and as EVs become mainstream.”

James Lee will remain in the business as managing director and will focus on building relationships, new business development and developing ways to improve operational efficiency.

He commented: “This acquisition benefits both us and DMN Logistics. Our contacts can support their expansion while they are better equipped to support our infrastructure. It’s a win-win for both companies.”

Nick Chadaway added: “It is no secret that we have been more focused on business growth since the pandemic, and this acquisition instantly increases our fleet size. We have already placed orders for more vehicles and further orders planned to increase our ability to offer more EV movements.”

7th December 2022 – Recruitment, price hikes, supply shortages and the rise in EV registrations will continue to challenge the vehicle logistics sector but do provide opportunities for growth, according to Birmingham-based national vehicle movement and inspection firm DMN Logistics.

Delivery driver recruitment problems have been a recurring theme throughout 2022 and are likely to remain a challenge in 2023 as drivers continue to be tempted by higher salaries offered by last mileage delivery firms and local driving operators.

Nick Chadaway, managing director at DMN Logistics commented, “Vehicle logistics requires a level of skill and training with a wage that reflects an industry standard. These roles provide longevity and a career, but many defer to the alternative option for instant cash, which is understandable given the state of the rising costs of living but remains detrimental to our sector. DMN is here to provide a career path and not just an immediate job opportunity.”

Rising costs in electricity, gas, fuel, insurance and business rates will force businesses to review internal operations to remain competitive and dynamic in the marketplace. As costs continue to increase, businesses will have to evaluate pricing strategies and review them periodically in an attempt to sustain and maintain their level of service.

Nick said: “It is unfortunate but inevitable that the rising costs we encounter as an industry will be passed on to the customer. Businesses must look at dynamic pricing strategies and review pricing accordingly to not only remain competitive in the marketplace, but also keep afloat.

“At DMN Logistics, if a customer has an agreed fuel inclusive rate, we vary their charging by the week based on what the market is doing, and this may need to be the case with EVs and the cost of the public charging infrastructure. It is a situation we are constantly monitoring to ensure we can fully support the logistics needs of our Customers and continue to say ‘Yes’ to their needs.”

Supply issues continue to affect overall vehicle delivery  volumes, however even with this reduced volume we are seeing capacity issues across the market, driven mainly by the difficult recruitment market and desire for EV movements that are different to the traditional ICE delivery.

An area that had seen previous growth and is a necessary sector of our industry , the  aggregating / transport auction platforms  are, in my opinion, starting to see large reductions in the level of support from the suppliers in the vehicle movement industry. Not only are the suppliers being affected by driver shortages but also a realisation that the low prices being demanded by these platforms are not a sustainable form of business.

Nick added: “Platforms like these are great when logistics supply outweighs demand but when the opposite is true   price-driven platforms must alter their approach to match the market forces.

“Our viewpoint is that price dictates service and although our prices may have to rise in line with rising costs, we offer more to our direct customers. We are specialists in our field and our commitment and reputation within the sector is second-to-none.”

As the 2030 target fast approaches, EV registrations will steadily continue to saturate the marketplace providing an opportunity for logistics companies to offer a different level of service offering. Public charging networks will need to prepare for the impending influx of driven deliveries in order to support the supply chain that is delivering this switchover.

Nick concluded: “Whilst we see many roadblocks ahead, we remain optimistic about 2023 and what we are aiming to achieve. We know that EV registrations will continue to increase and with the arrival of many new players in the EV market there will be growth overall in our sector.  With our expansion into transported deliveries, vehicle storage and pool fleet management we are well placed to prosper in the year to come

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