NYK Logistics was awarded a three-year contract renewal earlier last year, which will extend its relationship with Casio to 15 years. The operation is based in a dedicated 4,800sq m area of NYK Logistics' distribution centre in Tilbrook, Milton Keynes and employs a team of 29 staff. NYK Logistics provides the bulk of the transport through its shared user fleet, although smaller volume orders are delivered by Parcelforce. Yates is a firm believer
in trying to keep an honest and open relationship with NYK Logistics in order to make the operation run smoothly. "Unless you build up trust and respect you can't talk openly. I'm in the business of providing a service at a certain cost but I have to realise that NYK Logistics has to make a profit too," he says.
There are regular review meetings, as on all contracts, but Yates also frequently visits the warehouse floor and has contact with all levels of the team. There are also visits from other members of Casio's team, who are based in the company's UK head office in North London. Good day-to-day communication is a vital part of operating efficiently and NYK Logistics is given information relating to the operation in a variety of different ways, both verbally and through its IT systems. "They know what we know because we want them to be able to plan ahead and find the best solution," Yates
says.
