LINPAC Storage Systems has recently completed a bespoke storage solution combining wide and narrow aisle racking and a mezzanine structure for the power tools and accessories division of Techtronic Industries UK. The company's new Didcot distribution centre supplies Ryobi, AEG, Homelite and Milwaukee power tools to customers throughout the UK and Ireland.
Due to the sales success of their branded power tools, the division has experienced significant growth over the last five years. As a result the company outgrew its original warehouse in Droitwich, which was unsuitable for racking, and relocated to the impressive 156,000 sq ft facility in Didcot. With an eaves height of 12 metres, this building required a racking solution to store 20,000 plus pallets.
David Napper is the Operations Director for Techtronic Industries UK. He initially invited 6 leading storage suppliers to tender for the Didcot design brief. "I made my assessment of the companies based on a multitude of disciplines. These included quality and price, but a desire to win the business scored highly too," he comments.
"LINPAC Storage Systems came out on top. The fact that they were keen to build the mezzanine structure was also an advantage – I'm a firm believer that it helps to have as few organisations on site as possible."
Up to 500 pallets a day arrive at the distribution centre from Techtronic Industries Far East manufacturing centres. These pallets of power tool products and accessories are stored inside the distribution centre on LINPAC's wide aisle and narrow aisle racking. To make it easy for the operatives to distinguish between the two types of racking, the wide aisle has been supplied with grey uprights and orange beams, whilst the narrow aisle has blue uprights with orange beams.
Cantilever pick and deposit stations have been erected at the end of the narrow aisle racking runs, facilitating the efficient handling of pallets into and out of the system. All of the beams have a two tonne weight capacity.
An area in the warehouse has been left free of racking to house the bulky products that are too large to fit into the storage solution. However as the company grows, double deep or drive-in racking may be installed to cope with future demand without altering the current solution.
"The project was completed ahead of plan and the quality of the installation was exceptional," concludes Napper. "Racking out the Didcot distribution centre has maximised our storage and picking capacity whilst reducing the risk of product damage. The transition took place without any impact to our service levels and we now operate a significantly more effective and efficient operation."
Based in Milton Keynes, LINPAC Storage Systems is one of the leading British manufacturers of quality storage solutions. The company is part of the world renowned LINPAC Group of companies – the UK leader in storage and materials handling.