Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 crisis, BERGÉ, a leading logistics operator, has been working tirelessly alongside its clients to keep supply chains open. The company has taken the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to a sector which will be key to future economic recovery.
To this end, BERGÉ immediately implemented an emergency business continuity plan for the entire logistics chain, including value-added services (continuity of the supply chain, transport management, warehouses, outsourcing of processes), shipping (forwarding agents, chartering, management of regular lines), port operations (stowing, bulk breaking, consignment), customs management and vehicle logistics. The plan seeks to keep business ticking over based on optimised and carefully structured procedures, so that the company is well-placed when “normal working” conditions return and restrictions on non-essential activities are lifted.
The company has taken the appropriate steps to prepare all teams whose support is vital for the sectors involved at all stages of the logistics chain, such as ports, warehouses and factories, regardless of the various scenarios that emerge as the lockdown measures imposed during the state of emergency begin to ease.
For instance, BERGÉ is using ships which have requested a port call to maintain its logistics activity and has even boosted its consignment and dialogue staff to effectively coordinate the services it provides at the 26 Spanish ports to a wide range of business sectors.
The business continuity plan would not have been possible had it not been for BERGÉ’S COVID-19 Management Committee, set-up on 2 March, which proceeded to introduce timely and appropriate operating and administrative processes.
BERGÉ has since introduced a range of protocols, preventive measures and contingency plans as the effects of the coronavirus have become more widespread, in strict accordance with the guidance of health authorities and the logistics ecosystem.
This raft of measures, which aim to optimise working procedures and protect the health and safety of all employees, partners and clients alike, include a remote-working policy which was implemented from the very outset with a view to maintaining business activity and guaranteeing flexibility in its relations with all clients.
