The Delivery is in the Detail – Part 2

Nearly two years of detailed preparation and planning have gone into the logistics behind Rugby World Cup 2015. Watch this video and learn how DHL is delivering “the essentials” to the teams and venues during the Tournament.

As the Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, DHL is working hard to deliver the Tournament and team equipment from around the world. A warehouse has been set up to ensure the process runs smoothly.

“This is where we’re storing all the equipment that we’ll be using during the Tournament and that we are going to deliver to the various venues to be used during Tournament time,” says Francis Ktenidis, Rugby World Cup 2015, DHL Logistics Project Lead.

“It’s actually quite interesting to see the range of different items that are stored here.”

DHL has spent months putting this together – well over 18 months to be precise. It’s been a massive coordination process, working with all 19 teams who have travelled to England and Wales, coordinating with the venues and equipment providers, and finalizing the movement schedule. The logistics team anticipates hundreds of movements throughout the six-week Tournament.

 “When you look at it in terms of pallet quantities, it’s in excess of 2,000 pallets that will come through this facility alone,” says Ktenidis.

Scrum machines and ironing boards?
The teams travel on average with 4 metric tons of equipment, and we are following them with this equipment throughout the Tournament between team bases, practice facilities and venues. This essential cargo includes a wide range of items – everything from practice balls and scrum machines to post protectors and even ironing boards.

“It really is a vast array, from the chairs that are going to be used to the ironing boards, to the on-field sporting equipment such as tackle bags and post protectors, says Ktenidis.  “It’s actually quite interesting to see the range of different items that are stored here.”

“Out of fairness we provide everyone with the same opportunities to progress through the Tournament.”

England 2015 provides each team with the exact same kit, although they can strike anything from the list they don’t need. 

“Out of fairness we provide everyone with the same opportunity to progress through the Tournament,” says Simon Taaffe, Asset and Dissolution Manager, England Rugby 2015.

So far so good
Opening weekend went off without a hitch. “No surprises,” says Ktenidis. “Except for Japan’s historic win over South Africa!” 

Of course, that doesn’t mean it will continue that way. “Despite the meticulous planning and detail, the reality is that the project will evolve in real time,” says Ktenidis. “We have to plan, but we also know that we will have to adapt as circumstances warrant.”

During Rugby World Cup 2015, you’ll see the DHL logo displayed proudly throughout the stadiums, but it’s behind the scenes where the real logistics action is taking place. Now that the Tournament is underway and the planning and preparation are complete, the next detail is in the delivery – and right now DHL is working hard behind the scenes to do just that.

Follow us
Watch Part 1and follow us on our logistics journey and see what it takes to deliver the largest rugby event in the world.

Click here to read more about the logistics behind Rugby World Cup 2015, meet some of our DHL Match Ball Delivery Ambassadors, and find other Rugby stories.