Logistics firm Schenker Australia has agreed a deal to sponsor the 2018 edition of the Commonwealth Games multi-sport event, which will be staged in Australia’s Gold Coast region.
Schenker will serve as the official logistics provider for the Games and will help oversee the arrival and departure of baggage and equipment for 6,600 athletes and officials.
The company will provide access to its global freight forwarding network, an integrated warehouse and distributing service, and a distribution solution for transfer of athlete baggage and equipment.
Schenker will also supply a warehouse management system for control of assets moving through the warehouse, as well as a warehouse to consolidate and manage the disposal of assets following the conclusion of the Games.
Richard Holy, general manager of Schenker Australia Queensland, said: “We’ll distribute another 96,000 pieces of furniture, 21,000 pieces of luggage and 3,000 individual sport items from the airport through our distribution hub to the village and Games venues.
“Our primary focus will be to deliver a great experience for athletes so they can focus entirely on competing.”
Gold Coast 2018 said Schenker was selected following a “robust procurement exercise”. Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation chairman Peter Beattie added: “Delivering GC2018 is a massive proposition and we need experienced partners on board who are experts in their field.
“Schenker has operated in Australia since 1962 and has been a consistent provider of quality logistics across major sporting events since the Sydney 2000 Olympic & Paralympic Games. They were also the official supplier/providers for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester 2002, Melbourne 2006 and Glasgow 2014. In addition, Schenker in Brisbane successfully handled logistics for G20 in 2014.
“As Games logistics specialists Schenker can efficiently mobilise to meet our pre- and post-Games requirements and already employ hundreds of people across South East Queensland. Schenker provided the most cost effective and experienced submission following a fair and equitable tender process.”