Summer 2008

See here is the 200,000 sq ft state of the art distribution centre opened by electrical and electronics supplier Maplin at Manvers, near Rotherham. It is handling both e-fulfilment of online and mail order sales and conventional distribution to the company's network of retail outlets. The company has been opening stores at a vigorous rate of one every two weeks, and aims to raise the current tally of 150 to 250 'in the medium term'.

The company chose the systems and projects division of Jungheinrich UK to supply and install everything – from high-bay pallet racking to conveyors and work benches. Jungheinrich also supplied fork-lift trucks – the product for which it is most famous.

A very interesting feature of the operation is that store orders can be fulfilled using some of the same techniques as mail order fulfilment. This is because Maplin supplies its stores with small quantities of many different line items – a classic home shopping approach. So orders for both high-street outlets and individual mail-order customers can be picked from the same pick face.

According to supply chain director Gareth Hunt: 'Typically orders received via our web site or from our catalogue are for two or three items, and we supply our stores with small quantities of a wide range of SKUs very frequently. It therefore makes sense to have warehouse staff picking orders for stores alongside colleagues picking for individual customers.'

 

The bulk store features over 7,000 pallet positions. Full pallet-loads are held on the upper racking levels, while picking bays at ground level are used to make up shop-bound orders and orders from the web site.