EvolutionTimeCritical_vansAntonovEmergency logistics specialist Evolution Time Critical has launched a dedicated critical projects service focusing on the movement of large scale resources such as vehicle tooling and other production equipment.

The service aims to help OEMs reduce the risk, costs and time associated with large-scale relocations of machinery and manufacturing equipment.

Brad Brennan, the company's managing director, said: “The automotive industry, in particular, is now made up of a highly convoluted web of leaner, globalised supply chains, streamlined operations and evolving production strategies – focused on increasing efficiency and meeting the time-contracted demands of a high pressure environment where the cost of failure is vast.”

More specifically the critical projects will involve movements of heavy tooling relocation, live production movement, high value or fragile cargo shipment, out-of-gauge cargo, contingency stock locations and on-site supplier crisis management.

The company has previously completed a 300-tonne air cargo shipment of vehicle tooling from China to the UK, cutting the delivery time by three weeks compared to the usual ocean route. The shipment required the charter of two Antonov An-124 aircraft and a Boeing 747F.

Said Brennan: “At the time, this was a unique project of this scale, enabling a major vehicle manufacturer to overcome last-minute specification changes and optimise the production start of a new model, without jeopardising the tight launch schedule.”

“The proof that such projects can now be undertaken provides new opportunities for manufacturing industries and for the automotive supply chain, which can continue to evolve to meet the demands of a fast-paced industry.”

Evolution Time Critical is part of Canadian-based Metro Logistics Group.