Martin Monaghan
Head of Strategic Sales, UK & Ireland, Maesrk
Christopher Deans
Country Area Head of Sales, Ireland, Maesrk
Global supply chains have become complex and vulnerable. Companies can protect themselves with an end-to-end solution that decreases risk and enhances visibility.
Traditionally, Denmark-headquartered Maersk was known as one of the world’s largest ocean freight shipping companies. However, in 2017, that all changed when it rolled out its transformative global integrator strategy. By investing in global onshore warehousing and distribution infrastructure, it is now able to offer an integrated, end-to-end logistics solution to its 100,000 customers.
Global logistics simplifying supply chains
“Our company has been on a journey over the last seven years,” says Martin Monaghan, Head of Strategic Sales, UK and Ireland, Maersk. “We now have our own fleet of aircraft, our own road haulage services and — from a freight point of view — we are one of the biggest rail users across the UK and Ireland. It means we have the ability to, say, physically collect and then deliver raw materials to a customer’s manufacturing facilities, then pick up the finished products and transport them — either via ocean, air, road or rail — to their final destination.”
Over the years, global supply chains have become increasingly complex, making them vulnerable and unsustainable. Integration can change that. “The more individual logistics providers you have in your supply chain, the more complex — and riskier — it is,” explains Monaghan.
“For example, if provider A is transporting your freight via ocean or air, provider B is supervising inbound customs, provider C is in charge of road transport and providers D and E are taking care of warehousing and final mile distribution, there are a lot of handover points to consider. An end-to-end supply chain orchestrated by one provider removes that complexity, decreases risk, improves connectivity and efficiency and offers customers full visibility and greater control.”
Ireland is a key market for logistics players
Ireland is a strategic location for the logistics sector, thanks to its buoyant economy, favourable tax rates and attractiveness to big players from industries that view it as a gateway to Europe, the US and the rest of the world. “For many firms, Ireland is THE starting point for their global end-to-end supply chains,” says Monaghan. “So, it’s crucial that logistics providers can demonstrate the value they offer to businesses in the Irish market.”
For many firms, Ireland is THE
starting point for their global
end-to-end supply chains.
Integrated logistics solution
Recognising this, Maersk opened a new warehousing and distribution campus in 2023. Set within Quantum Logistics Park, near Dublin Airport, it’s comprised of two facilities with a combined 250,000 sqft. of space.
“These new units are an important part of our integrated logistics solution,” explains Christopher Deans, Country Area Head of Sales, Ireland. “They ensure that we can make our customer’s supply chains simpler, easier and more visible in order to speed up time to market. Whether they are small or large, it gives them the platform to grow, and we become an extension of their business.”
Making a firm commitment to sustainability
As part of the company’s sustainability commitment, both warehouses have been built to LEED Gold and one of the sites with BREEAM Excellent ratings; one unit is one of Ireland’s first logistics buildings constructed to net-zero specifications using a glue-laminated timber structural frame, rather than steel beams. The company — which aims to transport a minimum of 25% of ocean cargo using green fuels by 2030 — has also made a substantial sustainable investment in its ocean fleet, becoming the first ocean organisation to invest in a fleet of green methanol-powered container vessels.
Sustainability is just one (albeit crucial) part of the logistics puzzle, however. Monaghan and Deans insist that logistics companies have to offer innovation and value to their customers across the board. “Customers are not looking at our various services in isolation,” admits Monaghan. “What they want to see is how everything comes together to create a flexible, visible, end-to-end, sustainable supply chain on a truly global scale.”
