|
|
|
|
First Line Logistics: Services with a Local Smile |
| Local lad Andy Beattie, who lives in Livingston with his family of two young sons and a daughter, is Operations Manager for First Line Logistics, in charge of their entire Scottish distribution network. |
| His company has a number of significant new contracts enabling First Line to enjoy a respectable organic growth, which is still continuing. |
| Because this is more, much more, than a carrier company. Not only do they deliver, they also install. And they have developed a specialisation in the handling and installation of high-value, high-security machinery. |
| “Our biggest customer is Canon (UK) Ltd,” said Andy. “We deliver their photocopiers and other office machinery to their customers within a 48-hour deadline all over Scotland. But we also unpack them, set them up and make sure they work before we go. |
| “Our biggest customer is Canon (UK) Ltd,” said Andy. “We deliver their photocopiers and other office machinery to their customers within a 48-hour deadline all over Scotland. But we also unpack them, set them up and make sure they work before we go. |
| Among other customers who have sought this kind of work are NCR of Dundee and Chubb. Together with their other UK offices, Beattie reckons First Line Logistics probably installs around 1,000 cash machines a year and have added Coca-Cola to their impressive client list. First Line won the contact in a bid against the existing distributor – because of the ‘added value’ they offered. Now, First Line is responsible for delivery and installation of vending machines and chill cabinets thought the UK, and have taken on an extra five vehicles and 50% extra staff to cope. |
| It was a contract that effectively doubled their turnover in the face of competition from other logistics firms that did not offer the kind of services which help to tie clients in. |
| Beattie started as a warehouseman with Brucefield-based BVS Logistics. Now, having been bought over by First Line, he heads the whole operation in Scotland, with 24 staff based at Livingston and 11 vehicles at his disposal. |
“I’ve worked hard for it”, he says modestly. “I always wanted to make a go of it, but promotion came quicker than expected.”
|
| The operation he heads up will undertake a wide range of tasks on behalf of their clients, including stock-taking and “change management” – handling the smooth overnight replacement of old office equipment for the Royal Bank of Scotland, for example. |
| “For the future,” added Andy, “ First Line has invested heavily in its own network-tracking IT systems, because time is money. Canon is now commissioning added value services from us, and Toshiba has also contracted with us to move their photocopiers, with a similar service agreement. |
| “Brucefield is the perfect location for us, which was a major factor when First Line decided to buy BVS”. |
| Return to the top |
| Meeting Room Now Available |
| Brucefield tenants needing a smart, modern meeting room in which to entertain their clients should note that the facility within the estate’s management office is now available for booking. |
| The room will accommodate up to ten people and can be reserved through Thomas Robb, on 01506 419 744 or email on Brucefield@btconnect.com. |
| Return to the top |
| NBT Inveresk: Welding More Sales |
| Inveresk Abrasives and Welding Supplies was one of the first companies to locate at BrucefieldIndustryPark, more than 20 years ago. |
| Now, the company is part of the North British Tapes empire, and the Brucefield site incorporates the operations of NBT’s former Edinburgh base, specialising in packaging and specialist tapes and adhesives. |
| Office manager Jackie Gallagher therefore reigns over a combined staff of 10, up 50% on the numbers previously employed in the separate offices, “which reflects the increased sales potential of the joint enterprise,” she observed. |
| Like many other Brucefield companies NBT Inveresk has found expansion at this location easy to achieve, with space requirements to match. |
| Return to the top |
| Digital Eyes Guard Over Brucefield |
| An additional six closed-circuit television cameras have been installed at Brucefield Industry Park, extending the total number of ‘digital eyes’ to eleven. The increased coverage of the estate will help further to reduce the incidents of criminal behaviour and vandalism which flare from time to time. |
| The entire camera system has been updated to provide 24-hour coverage in full colour, and the control system allows close-up zoom pictures to be taken for identification purposes. |
| Asset managers Drivers Jonas, said: “The earlier CCTV system was very effective in reducing unwanted incidents, but there were gaps in the coverage which are now filled. “Experience with CCTV systems prove conclusively that they do deter, but we nevertheless urge Brucefield residents to continue to be watchful for any suspicious activity on the estate.” |
| Tenants and other residents are welcome to inspect the system for themselves: just contact Brucefield’s on-site manager, Thomas Robb on 01506 419744 or call in to the Manger’s Officer, and he’ll be happy to discuss any matters regarding site security and maintenance. |
| Return to the top |
