Staff at Hutton’s, the UK’s leading ship supplier, have been battling through the recent storms and working extra hours to make sure sea-going ships get the supplies they need, whatever the weather.
Working full stretch from the company’s Pembroke branch, in one of the UK areas most affected by the recent gale-force winds, power cuts and flooding, Hutton’s staff have supplied ocean-going vessels and Irish Sea ferries with much-needed food, goods and spare parts.
With stormy seas and high winds causing delays and changes to sailing and docking times, Hutton’s had to employ all its professional flexibility to be available to restock vessels.
In particular, warehouse staff and delivery drivers had to be able to react instantly to ensure goods were in the right place at the right time.
Steve Okell, Pembroke Branch Manager, reported: “We have ferry companies to supply in Rosslaire, Ireland and Pembroke along with other commercial vessels in Galway and Dublin. On several occasions our drivers had to spend three days longer than normal in Ireland, travelling back and forth between ports to service customers and ensure they received the top quality products they are used to receiving from Hutton’s.”
Hutton’s Pembroke depot is ideally situated close to the Cleddau Bridge, ensuring customers on both sides of the estuary receive regular, on-time deliveries. But the recent storm force gales and high winds meant Cleddau Bridge was closed several times at short notice –forcing Hutton’s to make long detours adding several hours to each delivery journey.
Mr Okell said: “Hutton’s staff at Pembroke rose to all these challenges to ensure orders were received before ships sailed – there is no room for late deliveries in this job!”
