Port scuttlebutt

Fleets Roll-On From Wilmington

Fleet vehicles rolling onto "RoRo" vessels destined for the Middle East have become a common sight at the Port of Wilmington, due to the success of Auto Port, Inc., who is a leading provider of customized processing for the auto industry. Auto Port has taken advantage of the Port's strategic Mid-Atlantic location and its existing role as a vehicle load-center for the Middle East to expand its fleet processing work and market its services to exporters of fleet vehicles ranging from police cars to service utility trucks.

Building on their long-term reputation as an export vehicle processor for auto giants General Motors and Ford, Auto Port has become a key processor and service provider to fleet service companies such as Knapheide Manufacturing Co., Reading Body Works, SCECO and ARAMCO.

The auto manufacturers such as GM and Ford along with specialized body manufacturers and electronics equipment makers deliver the vehicles and the equipment to Auto Port's Pigeon Point Road facility, where they undertake all of the installations and modifications necessary to create the desired fleet. Auto Port's major fleet projects have included all types of commercial vehicle fleets, taxi cabs, police cars, and even specialized military vehicles.

Auto Port’s expert electronics, body exterior and interior modification services, as well as its commitment to quality that complies with the ANSI/ISO/ASQC Q9002 international standard, have helped it attract export fleet conversion projects, as well as many fleet projects for domestic markets.

“Our fleet services have increased substantially approaching 15%-20% of Auto Port’s total business, and have opened numerous opportunities for the company to develop its services in addition to traditional Pre Delivery Inspection and Port processing” says Roy Kirchner, Auto Port’s Business Development Manager.

For example, in the past six months, Reading Body Works, manufacturer of truck bodies, sub-contracted Auto Port to install and modify their equipment, such as utility bodies and platform bodies, onto Ford and General Motors chassis and to distribute them to the Mid-Atlantic region between New York and North Carolina. Auto Port won this contract through its previous extensive experience installing body equipment, and using Wilmington as a local distribution center for fleet vehicles.

Auto Port expects to continue to develop its services and increase its processing capacity in Wilmington, especially with the construction of a new dedicated auto berth on the Delaware River that will be completed in Summer 2002. “Our capabilities with respect to handling large fleet orders make us unique within the Port Processing industry. Indeed, we view the further development of our fleet conversion business as a key strategic initiative in meeting our objective of attracting more export business to our facility and through the Port of Wilmington. Certainly the construction of a new auto berth can only help us in these efforts” says Auto Port Port’s President J. Brinton Detwiler.

The new berth will include an additional vehicle staging area, and dedicated access roads to and from auto processor facilities at the Port, which will enhance the quality of the auto trade facilities at the Port and attract new auto and vehicle shippers and shipping lines.

Founded in 1923, the Port of Wilmington is an important asset for the local and regional economy, generating over 4,900 jobs and contributing over $16 million in annual tax revenues to State and local government. The Port is owned and operated by the Diamond State Port Corporation, a corporation of the State of Delaware. For further information, digital photos, free tours of the Port and free speakers contact: Vered Nohi-Becker, Marketing Services Manager at the Port of Wilmington @ (302) 472-7819, e-mail: vnbecker@port.state.de.us