JF Hillebrand at ProWein
11th March 2010

JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake 
5th March 2010

UPDATE: The below update was received overnight from our colleagues in Chile. 

We are pleased to inform that the Chilean office is operative since Thursday 4^th. Whilst our servers were damaged in the earthquake, we are able to connect to the JF Hillebrand network, so are resuming close to normal operations.

The Port of San Antonio is now operating, but with some congestion. The Port of Valparaiso is operating at normal levels and capacity.

Our Chilean colleagues have commented that they have really appreciated all the messages of support that they have received following the earthquake. It has meant a lot to them as they come to terms with the dramatic and devastating events of Saturday and subsequently.

JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake 
3rd March 2010

UPDATE: The below update was received overnight from our colleagues in Chile.

Although the situation continues to improve in Chile, there has not been much progress since the last update.

We have had it confirmed that our office building has not suffered any major structural damage. A few security checks are still in order: water pipes, electric wirings, smoke detectors, but will only be conducted when power has been re-instated. This should happen during the day on Wednesday, which means that our staff could be back at work on Thursday (still to be confirmed).

It is only then that we will know whether our local computer servers are working or not and they were thrown about in the quake. We will invoke appropriate contingencies as may be required once this is known.

The port of Valparaiso is working at 90% of its capacity, but San Antonio is only partially operational, many areas of the port still without power.

We will issue more information as it becomes available.

JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake 
2nd March 2010

UPDATE: The below update was received overnight from our colleagues in Chile.

We are pleased to announce that the situation is steadily improving for our Chilean office. The office will remain closed on Tuesday, March 2nd with only a skeleton staff checking in. The building will be inspected on Tuesday to detect any potential structural damages. Water supply has been restored and power should be re-instated on Wednesday.

If the building were to be declared unsafe, JF Hillebrand Chile is prepared to temporarily move to a nearby location as per our contingency plan.

The port of Valparaiso is now officially open and working. San Antonio, still without power, should re-open on Wednesday. The international road is open with Argentina. The Shipping Lines have advised they intend to maintain their schedules at both ports, but delays are to be expected. Calls are cancelled in the Southern ports, but this does not affect the wine shipments. Export loadings will be limited to containers already in the stacking area.

Our office is currently working to establish the status of orders at the port awaiting shipment.

Severe disruptions are to be expected for future shipments in the coming weeks as a lot of wineries located south of Santiago are reporting serious damage.

We will issue more information as it becomes available, including contingency details, and kindly ask for your understanding in the meantime.

JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
1st March 2010

UPDATE (17.20GMT): we have recieved notification that the international road between Chile and Argentina is now open.

JF Hillebrand Customer information following the Chile earthquake
1st March 2010

Following the earthquake that struck Chile early on Saturday morning, our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by the devastation.

We have received information from our Chilean colleagues that all of our staff there are safe, and the office appears to have suffered only minor damage. However, the whole Santiago area is in a state of emergency, without power or water. As such JF Hillebrand’s Chile office will be closed from Monday March 1st and no firm date can be set at this stage for its re-opening. A more complete assessment will be conducted whenever possible.

Pending further confirmation, it appears that the international road between Chile and Argentina is closed, and so are the ports of Valparaiso and San Antonio as well as the Santiago international airport.

We will issue more information as it becomes available, and kindly ask for your understanding in the meantime.

JF Hillebrand UK strengthens service proposition through acquisition of ABV Logistics
18th January 2010

JF Hillebrand has strengthened its capability to provide dedicated wine and beverage logistics services with the acquisition of another specialist beverage forwarder, ABV Logistics Ltd.

The agreement presents both companies with a unique opportunity to further enhance levels of specialist service, while providing customers with a viable, comprehensive and innovative alternative to the commodity approach of large general forwarders.

“With this acquisition, we are able to augment our extensive global range of services using ABV Logistics’ particular strength in Iberia and Italy, where their service coverage is impressive,” said JF Hillebrand UK Chairman, Tom Yusef.

“There is also great synergy in terms of the culture of the two specialist teams. Both are founded on an ethos of a totally customer-focused approach and, by combining, we have created a much stronger and capable organisation to serve our customers’ existing and future requirements.”

ABV Logistics’ need is accommodated - to provide broader value in the current competitive climate - while JF Hillebrand UK is able to present its comprehensive service offering to a wider client base.

The two businesses will continue to operate as normal and all customer contacts remain unchanged. It is intended that in due course, the ABV Logistics team, currently based in Wickford, will relocate to JF Hillebrand UK’s West Thurrock offices.

“Clients of both companies will benefit from the strong multi-carrier relationships in all trade lanes,” says Mr Yusef.” ABV Logistics’ customers will also enjoy a wider selection of route options and improved access to space and equipment, supported by JF Hillebrand’s award winning AXIS information management system.”

Gary Gordon of ABV says: “ABV Logistics has swiftly gained a reputation for skill and personal service and the acquisition by JF Hillebrand UK will ensure that our customers enjoy the benefits of a range of large scale operations of exclusive beverage-only services that give them the edge in the current competitive environment.”
Whilst for personal reasons Alan Steele will in time retire from the business, ABV Directors Gary Gordon and Daniel Morris will join the Board of JF Hillebrand UK.