Cheshire-based Boughey Distribution has recorded the busiest two months in the company’s trading history during September and October. A combination of the Covid-19 crisis and Brexit planning, together with Halloween and Christmas stockholding and deliveries, led to unprecedented storage volumes and deliveries nationwide.
Like many businesses operating within the food logistics industry, Boughey has prospered during the pandemic and while companies nationwide have had to implement the furlough scheme for staff, Boughey has been actively recruiting drivers and warehouse operatives. During the pandemic, the company has also fitted out and opened a new 37,000 pallet warehouse located in Crewe, a short distance away from its main base near Nantwich.
Due to the increased demand generated by online shopping, the company has also expanded its e-commerce operation from a couple of thousand square feet before the crisis to around 20,000 square feet.
Commenting on the unprecedented time in the company’s history, Managing Director Keith Forster said:
“No-one could have predicted the unique and challenging conditions that we have experienced this year. We are very fortunate to be operating within the food industry that has not only remained buoyant throughout the Covid-19 crisis, but also one that has expanded.
“In recent months, we have recruited 25 new high-calibre staff to work within our warehouse operation who have joined us from a number of different sectors including the hospitality industry where many jobs have been lost. We hope that they will remain with us when we start to emerge from the crisis.
“Our e-commerce operation has seen a dramatic up-turn and we fortunately had the space available at our base in Wardle to accommodate additional demand.
“The team of people who work here including our warehouse team, drivers and operational support staff have been the real heroes this year. Working under great pressure and under many restrictions imposed due to Covid-19, they continue to deliver to a remarkably high standard for all our customers. The importance of the roles people fulfil within the logistics industry has really come under the spotlight and this is definitely a positive aspect to have come out of the crisis. It is often an industry overlooked in terms of career options and prospects, and I am sure this will change now.”
“We anticipate that the high volumes we’re experiencing will continue for some time.”
