DSDA :: Defence Storage & Distribution Agency
www.dsda.org.uk

DSDA exists for the benefit of Defence and plays a vital role in maintaining and supporting the operational readiness of the UK's Armed Forces. The Agency strives to meet its customers' needs at all times and this is reflected in our Mission "To sustain the fighting power of the UK's Armed Forces worldwide..." We recognise, however, that DSDA is part of an ever changing and testing environment and that to remain successful, we need to develop innovative logistic support solutions and strong, long-term relationships with our partners in Defence and industry.

DSDA was created as an Executive Agency of the MOD in 1999 from the former Army and RAF supply organisations. Since that time, the Agency has implemented a continuous and phased rationalisation of its warehouse facilities, which culminated, in 2005, in the Future Defence Supply Chain initiative (FDSCi). This rationalisation in capacity has enhanced DSDA's ability to carry out its core tasks and improved the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the Agency's delivery to its customers. The rationalisation projects have had full ministerial approval, have been managed at Board level and have been implemented with formal Trades Union consultation and endorsement at each stage. In 2003 the Agency merged with Defence Munitions and in 2004 took on the storage and distribution functions of the Medical Supplies Agency and the Defence Rail Container Service. DSDA's success in winning the FDSCi competition means that as well as being the preferred logistics provider to some key Defence prime contractors, the newly expanded Agency could be the Defence Supply Chain's main service provider for the next 10 years. In delivering the agreed FDSCi service, DSDA plans to build on its record of continuous process improvement and financial efficiencies it has generated for its customers every year since 1999.

DSDA manages a comprehensive range of warehousing and distribution tasks on behalf of its customers in Defence and industry. Operating from 7 main sites in the UK and one in Germany, with regional distribution centres located in or near main customer concentrations, DSDA provides a warehousing and distribution service which meets the exacting standards of the MOD's Standard Priority System. DSDA's core business is the supply of strategic and warlike equipment within the exacting readiness and preparation times of the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) for support to military operations overseas and routine activity at home. DSDA also provides the strategic interface between Defence prime contractors and the military supply chain, ensuring the efficient onward transmission of equipment from industry to military units – from factory gate to front line.

DSDA has identified partnering with industry as a key strategy for the future and seeks to position itself as a partner to prime contractors and manufacturers in line with the Government's Defence Industrial Strategy. As a provider of value-added services, DSDA aims to continue its role in delivering Defence capability while providing the best deal for its customers and partners. DSDA's strategy remains focused on contributing to operational agility, supported by commercial partnering to provide the best value for money for Defence and industry.

To enable DSDA to deliver improving levels of performance and reduce operating costs, we have adapted the Agency's core business offer to the demands of the Defence market. Innovative ways of managing the inventory, including direct supply to user units, have changed the way we conduct our business. DSDA is therefore moving away from the traditional in-house storage service towards flexible and responsive commercial partnering arrangements, developing greater co-operation with commercial logistic service providers and adding value to the services that each has to offer. The Agency has become increasingly competitive in its core market in order to secure Defence business and to retain its position as the gateway between commercial and military supply systems.

Partners who have chosen DSDA to provide specialist warehousing, maintenance and distribution services have found that the Agency has great flexibility when tailoring services to meet prime contractors' requirements, offering the prime contractor access to the real benefits available from DSDA's support, including:

DSDA's FDSCi solution includes the introduction of new management structures and a system of demand led operational planning which is specifically designed to respond to and meet the requirements of our customers in the Defence Supply Chain and industry. The new Head Office organisation includes a central customer support focus, making it easier for customers to contact us, and an effective demand planning system with a 2 year forecast. This will be a collaborative and dynamic environment, providing our customers with all the benefits of being able to update and refine their detailed logistic support plans every month. The demand plan agreed with our customers will then be used as the basis for resource planning and forecasting, enabling DSDA to ensure an effective response to known changes in customer requirements. It will also enable our financial plans to be made in a more predictable, less volatile environment, which could deliver a further efficiency dividend to customers who contribute to the success of the demand forecasting system.

Delivery of services against the demand plan will be achieved by 4 process based business streams, reflecting the core Defence support activities of the Agency – Storage, Distribution, Technical Services and Munitions. The business streams are each headed at Director level by a member of the Executive Board and the directors are accountable for the delivery of their services, to the agreed KPIs, for our customers. Every process in every area of the business is being optimised to provide the flexibility and quality of service our Defence customers expect within a framework of agreed KPIs. DSDA will benchmark its FDSCi services against those of commercial service providers and will continue to drive competitiveness into service delivery. The benefits of these operational and financial improvements will be delivered directly to our customers through enhanced performance and value for money dividends.

Since 1999, DSDA has delivered its Defence Supply Chain services to some very demanding KPIs and stringent financial targets. During that time, operating costs for materiel support have been reduced by an average of 5.5% every year. At the same time, our productivity has improved by over 13% and our processes are more efficient than ever. This success in delivering continuous improvement has earned DSDA an overall 93% satisfaction rating in successive consumer survey responses.

DSDA's mission is to sustain the fighting power of the UK's Armed Forces worldwide and we will never compromise on our commitment to deliver the highest standards of support as cost effectively as possible. Our aim as FDSCi service provider is to build on that record and to remain the first choice service provider for the future Defence Supply Chain.

Defence Storage & Distribution Agency:

Andrew Whiteley
Director Business Development
DSDA Head Office
Bicester, Oxfordshire OX25 2LD

Telephone: (+44) 01869 259310
Website : www.dsda.org.uk

 

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