Port Everglades is upgrading its maintenance facilities and streamlining operating procedures.
A central warehouse is the focal point of an improved inventory control system to better track supplies and reduce costs. The next step, already underway, is to computerise the inventory accounting through a software package that is being customised for the port.
“In 2017, we recognised that there were inefficiencies in how the port’s facilities were maintained. We hired a consultant to develop an action plan to revamp our preventative and capital maintenance programmes and implement new inventory control procedures,” said Acting Chief Executive & Port Director, Glenn Wiltshire. “Since then, the public works functions have been divided between our Operations Division and our Seaport Engineering & Facilities Maintenance Division, depending upon the workers’ trade skills, which gives supervisors better oversight.”
The warehouse is run by authorised employees who track supplies, usage and ordering. As a result, skilled trade workers have one place to go to obtain supplies and are no longer responsible for shopping or purchasing goods and services.
The 6,400 sq ft warehouse was a former workshop and storage facility on port property that employees were able to renovate in-house.
Other improvements are being implemented, as Port Everglades undergoes a $1.6 bill capital enhancement programme to upgrade cruise and cargo facilities over the next five, 10 and 20 years.
