Focus, the major DIY retailer, has officially opened its extended distribution centre at Tamworth, Staffordshire.
Work initially began on the site in April 2005 and was completed, handed over and officially opened on Monday 21st November, seven months from start to finish. Stock was waiting to be accepted at the backdoor as Focus chief executive Steve Johnson, cut the ribbon along with the Mayor and Mayoress of Tamworth, councillor John Wells and his wife Diane, Archie Travers, Focus logistics director and Les Flanagan, Wincanton managing director operations/retail.
Travers said: “It has always been part of Focus’ business plan to expand its distribution centre in Tamworth as the business has grown and developed. With an investment of approximately £13 million, the new building is 225,000 sq ft and gives the warehouse a total area of 555,000 sq ft
We now have the space capacity to accept a further 29,600 pallets, bringing us up to a total of 62,600 pallets and totes.
I am delighted to have worked with our contractors McLaren Construction ltd, Henry Riley project managers and cost consultants, The Harris Partnership, architects for the new extension, White Young Green, the structural engineers, ESP who are the mechanical and engineering consultants, Paradigm the planning supervisors and Millbridge who are the landlord’s representative and brought the project home on time and within budget”.
The completed 555,000 sq ft distribution centre will be run on Focus’ behalf by Wincanton, third party warehouse service providers and Lloyd Fraser, third party transport service providers.
This major investment has been in line with the business’ plan to increase the number of products provided to its stores through a central distribution service, therefore limiting the number of deliveries from suppliers to individual stores.
