Accrington-based North-West Logistics Ltd have invested in new premises to accommodate their continued business growth in Altham Business Park, Altham, Accrington.
A member of the Fortec Distribution Network, the company has invested in a 100,000 sq ft warehouse, with an additional 20,000 sq ft of office space. They have also built a new 120,000 sq ft vehicle park along-side the building. The warehouse is five times bigger than their previous premises, and they are able to park up to eighty HGV’s on the new vehicle park. The move was financed by HSBC Bank, together with a Regional Grant Fund.
Stephen Dunn, Director of North West Logistics, said the funding has helped to secure the long-term future of the company.
He said: “We consolidated when the recession hit the UK, expecting to have to cut costs and weather the storm, but in reality we actually continued to grow – albeit at a slower rate – and eventually the space just wasn’t big enough for us.
“We have several customers who require ongoing storage and distribution services, and the new site enables us to do this on a larger scale. The building has six modern loading doc entrances, capable of accommodating any height of vehicle, and two drive through entrances directly into the building.
It also allows us to introduce more services including pick and pack and other warehousing services in the future.”
Stephen said two customers had already started to take advantage of the added storage space.
North West Logistics is now focussed on continuing to grow its warehousing and transportation.
The company has recently recruited four new warehouse staff and now employs an 80-strong workforce, including a total of 60 drivers and warehouse personnel, and a further 20 office employees.
Stephen said: “In our previous premises we were bursting at the seams. Now this investment has helped us to futureproof the business. Our focus is on growth again, and as we have the space and flexibility to increase our range of services, we can now look at further investment and job opportunities, and of course expanding our customer base.”
North West Logistics has been a member of the Fortec Distribution Network since 2009. Stephen highlighted the Network’s role in attracting new business and providing a cost-effective solution for existing customers, which in turn has helped the company to capitalise on its business relationships.
Actively promoting the Fortec arm of the business, North West Logistics has recorded continuous growth year on year in terms of pallet deliveries.
As well as continuing to grow the Fortec side of the business, Stephen is also focusing heavily on storage, warehousing and pick and pack.
North West Logistics also holds COMAH accreditation, enabling the company to transport hazardous goods. It is also a member of the RHA, and accredited with FORS Silver. The company works in partnership with TNT to handle parcels deliveries.
Stephen added: “We are a true one-stop shop which will transport pretty much anything – from the very small to the very large. But this new facility has opened more doors allowing us to provide a total logistics solution. We can store, re-pack, assemble, manage stock control and goods for customers, and collect, deliver and distribute those goods across the UK and Europe.”
