Developments in the Armitage distribution centre and warehouse are already delivering service improvements as the first changes begin to take effect.
And this comes as the £1.2m investment programme – Project Synergy – is being delivered by a team which is also processing higher than anticipated volumes as sales performance is better than expected.
The new XL warehouse – for extra large products – was previously the pack build warehouse and has been transformed into a low-level racking solution which has enabled a significant reduction in the handling of large, heavy product.
These items had been stored on the mezzanine and serviced by a pallet lift or stored within the very narrow aisle (VNA) two area of racking and serviced via a VNA truck.
To enhance the way this area works, a number of development upgrades to the warehouse management system have been implemented to ensure the flow of the correct product types into and out of the facility.
Phase one of the main distribution centre racking change program has also begun. This consists of the removal of six aisles of VNA racking that previously serviced extra large product types.
This racking is a welded construction which has to be made to order for repair and replacement, which is significantly more expensive than standard APR (adjustable pallet racking) today.
These six aisles have now all been removed ready for delivery of the new racking material and prior to delivery electricians will be fitting a new lighting system and civil engineers removing the now redundant track-fed system that carried the pallets to the racking.
Phase two will begin in July and will see the remaining three aisles of welded racking in this area replaced with modern APR racking to create a complete wide aisle picking area, allowing a better service and quality in the presentation of products to customers.
Supply Chain Director Adrian Storr said: “We have better space utilisation, we are able to pack in a more optimised way and we have the capability for direct despatch from the XL warehouse to our customers.
“Because we have done this in a number of different phases, the expectation is that the XL warehouse and DC will be fully operational by the end of July, into August, and that’s when we will really feel the benefits.”
He added: “The DC transformation is well under way with the racking removal and the installation of new lighting in preparation for the new racking being installed over the next two weeks.
“The project is progressing really well, even with the higher level of sales volume that we have been able to achieve, and that’s an excellent performance by the team.”
These images show the installation of new racking and stored product in the XL warehouse.
These images show the removal of VNA racking in the distribution centre, ready for the new racking to be installed.
