B&M signs up to flexible warehousing deal with Peel Ports
Nov 27, 2013
B&M Retail has signed a deal with Peel Ports which will allow it to accommodate an additional 85,000 pallets of stock in the run up to Christmas without adding any further mileage or costs to its supply chain.
The deal will see stock that would otherwise have been moved to warehouses across the North West, stored and distributed direct from the Port of Liverpool – creating a single partnership for import and warehousing.
B&M Retail, which is headquartered in Speke, Merseyside, currently operates 360 stores across the UK and Ireland.
Initially up to 60,000 pallets of B&M stock will be handled across a number of warehouses on site at the port, eliminating the need for expensive over spill storage as well as reducing the number of truck journeys required from port to warehouse.
B&M has agreed terms with Peel Ports which include no capital investment costs and with the option to add and reduce space when required.
Jerome Wildsmith, head of supply chain at B&M Retail, said: "Christmas is one of our busiest periods and coupled with the fact that we are witnessing a significant increase in consumer demand means our current warehouse facilities are at capacity.
"Peel Ports has offered us a viable and affordable storage and distribution solution. It will allow us to deal with peak volumes with minimum fuss and maximum efficiency.
"What has been particularly attractive to our business is that we haven't had to enter in to any lengthy or costly leasehold agreements. So we can add to or take away from capacity without losing out in terms of cost.
"The deal also means we are able to reduce road miles and carbon emissions, which is important in terms of our commitment to environmentally friendly operations.
"We can use the warehousing option at Port of Liverpool as and when required, as it gives us an on demand solution, which can still be utilised during our peak times in 2014 and beyond."
The flexible on demand warehousing option at the Port of Liverpool is offered to customers as a bespoke storage solution, with the option to add and reduce storage space when required, helping manage assets more effectively and remove capital investment costs. It is available on a large or small scale basis, offering flexible warehousing for business that might need anything from one to tens of thousands of pallets spaces.
Ross Thompson, sales director at Peel Ports said: "We are pleased to be able to continue our on-going relationship with B&M Retail, helping support them in their storage needs over what is set to be a busy period for them.
"We understand the importance of flexibility when it comes to storage, and recognise that our customer's needs will vary at different times of the year, sometimes at the last minute.
"We are now able to develop tailor-made solutions for our customer supply chains, which will add value and enhance logistical operations by cutting miles, cutting costs and reducing carbon footprints.
"We are fully committed to offering the best customer services provisions and facilities at Liverpool and our warehouse storage is just one way we are doing so."
