Aventas to outsource product transport

The former Quinn Group, rebranded Aventas Group is to outsource its product transport and logistics to an outside company with CEVA a logistic company which operates in the UK and Ireland.

Aventas fist mooted the change towards the end of last year and following a comprehensive tendering process the company confirmed it has been working exclusively with CEVA Logistics to establish how to combine the existing former Quinn fleet with theirs.

A statement from Aventas Group said the move would make: 'our logistics stronger and our business more competitive. We have now reached agreement with CEVA Logistics under which we propose to transfer our fleet and associated facilities to CEVA under an arrangement which we believe will enable us to be more competitive and at the same time will enhance the overall level of job security.'

The initiative, Aventas say, will generate a number of benefits for the company including cost efficiencies through better utilisation of their own transport fleet and facilities, and the increased buying power of a much bigger transport company.

Management at Aventas met with transport staff and their unions at 11 o'clock this morning.

Aventas say, for employees, transferring to CEVA 'opens up opportunities arising from a greater volume and variety of work as well as the greater number and variety of career opportunities which will come from being part of a much larger global business.'

There has, at this stage, been no reponse from unions or staff affected by the change, though it is not expected there will be any job losses arising from the change.

There are almost 200 people involved in the transport division of the group, though transport workers operating with Quinn Glass will not be among those to transfer over to CEVA The Anglo-Celt understands.

CEVA will operate from a base on site in Derrylin.

News of outsourcing their transport and logistics comes less than a month after Aventas told this newspaper a deal had been struck to sell their roof-tile business to rival Lagan Cement.

However, since then, Lagan Construction Group's quarry at Pond Park in Lisburn, County Antrim, was attacked on Tuesday, February 4.

Graffiti left at the site said 'Hands off Quinn' and 'Stay out of Fermanagh'.

Lagan Construction Group said that it was not connected to Lagan Cement Group, which is hoping to take over former Quinn company Rooftiles.

There has been no comment from Lagan Cement in relation to the proposed take over of the former Quinn Tiles factory in Ballyconnell which employees 15 people.