WHO SHOULD CONSIDER JOINING UKWA?

In addition to third party warehousing and logistics companies any organisation that provides warehousing and other logistics support services in the supply chain is eligible to join the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA).  Retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers - in fact, anyone that operates a warehouse or distribution centre - has something to gain by becoming a member of the Association.

Furthermore, despite its name, membership of UKWA is not restricted to those companies based within the boundaries of the UK.  The Association welcomes applications from overseas and has specific membership regions dedicated to different geographical areas.

Established over 60 years ago, UKWA is at the forefront of the logistics sector and member companies are safe in the knowledge that the Association represents their interests at all levels and keeps them updated and informed on news and developments covering a wide range of issues affecting the warehousing sector - leaving them to concentrate on their core business.

MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Informative publications
Members receive a free subscription to the Association's award-winning journal Warehouse which is published 10 times per annum.  This keeps companies up-to-date with UKWA activities, changing legislation, health and safety issues, Customs and Excise matters and other important developments in the logistics sector.  Companies also receive free entries in the comprehensive Directory of Members' Services which receives widespread circulation to users of logistics services both at home and abroad.  UKWA has also published a definitive Warehouse Manual covering every aspect of warehouse management in 18 chapters, together with other titles on specific issues such as training and fire precautions.

Valuable meeting points
Member companies can attend regular regional meetings with other members to discuss matters of mutual interest.
Additionally, there are specialist groups within UKWA dealing with Customs & Excise, Operations & Safety and Training, an annual conference, the prestigious annual luncheon and AGM in central London and periodic seminars on matters of specific interest. 
Members and associates can also hire UKWA's boardroom at the Association's head office in London as a convenient and central location for their own private meetings.

Professional guidance
Member companies have access to an impressive list of honorary advisers who specialise in such areas as IT, materials handling, pest control, insurance, security, legal matters, hazardous chemical storage, business ratings and property valuations.  The Association also runs a free 24-hour telephone Legal Advisory Service which covers over 40 different subjects such as company and employment legislation, landlord and tenancy agreements, Conditions of Contract, insurance claims, insolvency, etc.

Strength of representation
The strength of UKWA's membership and its respected reputation for fairly expressing the views of member companies helps the Association in its dealings with Government departments, trade, official and semi-official organisations, many related UK trade associations, the media and other important channels of communication.  On an international level, UKWA enjoys direct contact with the European Commission and provides the secretariat for two leading international 3PL trade bodies: the European Warehousing & Logistics Confederation (EWLC) and the International Federation of Warehousing Logistics Associations (IFWLA).

Business generation
UKWA uses all means to promote a high profile for the Association and its members, including the monthly publication Warehouse, issuing various brochures, attending trade exhibitions and conferences in the UK and Europe, maintaining a comprehensive website (www.ukwa.org.uk), using a specialist press and public relations consultancy, and other marketing and promotional activities.

Quality standards
UKWA continuously promotes best practice in all aspects of warehousing through its regular operational audit programme and encourages member companies to acquire Quality Standard ISO 9002 for warehousing.  The Association also runs a benchmarking programme to enable member companies to assess their performance against others in the same sector category.

Recognising achievement
The Association recognises professional and technical achievement across the warehousing and logistics sector with its successful annual Awards for Warehousing scheme - an awards ceremony which has received industry-wide acclaim.

Training for tomorrow
As a founder member of the Skills for Logistics Council, UKWA was at the forefront of developing the bid to achieve accreditation for an employer-led, government-supported organisation to identify the skills gaps and address the training needs of the logistics sector.

Conditions of Contract
Of particular interest to UKWA's 3PL members is use of UKWA's Conditions of Contract that have been registered by the Office of Fair Trading and are recommended by insurers.

UK WAREHOUSING ASSOCIATION
Walter House  418-422 Strand  London  WC2R 0PT
T +44 (0) 207 836 5522    F +44 (0) 207 438 9379
E-Mail  dg@ukwa.org.uk    Web   www.ukwa.org.uk