Heuver Tyrewholesale uses new storage system to safeguard customer service

Oct 31, 2016 Warehousing Ireland Logistics, Materials Handling, News Comments Off on Heuver Tyrewholesale uses new storage system to safeguard customer service

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Heuver Tyrewholesale’s strong growth last year had put its stock position under pressure. This endangered the delivery times promised to customers and caused Heuver to closely examine the layout of its warehouse. An extra storey was then added using a tailor-made storage rack, which increased capacity by 3,000 m². While allowing stocks to increase, this also allowed Heuver to effectively manage its orders. It can now continue offering the fastest possible deliveries to its customers.

Guarantee delivery times

Bertus Heuver, director at Heuver Tyrewholesale: “We established a few ambitious objectives a few years ago. However, things advanced faster than we had expected. And, thanks to our strong brands, we grew strongly last year in Europe (Aeolus and Barkley) as well as the Benelux (Alliance). As a result, we ended up being restricted a little by our own warehouse. Our growth actually endangered our guaranteed stock position and fast deliveries. Extra storage space was thus a necessity. But it was too risky to simply place an extra layer on existing foundations. Our people consulted with the supplier, but it was not easy to find a solution. Thanks to their determination and creative thinking, they managed to find an effective solution that would not hinder our logistical process. After several rounds of drawings and calculations, a tailor-made storage rack was realised, which offered an extra 3,000 m² of storage space, or a total increase of 8%.”

Unique tailor-made solution

“But it was important to not disturb our existing work processes”, adds Bertus Heuver. “So we could not simply place tyres on racks. And the structure also had to be safe and stable. Because we had to work around the existing foundations, this resulted in a solution that had never been supplied in the past. Special support pillars mean the structure is sock solid, and allows us to pick orders as quickly as ever. The other benefit is that barcodes for lower shelves have now been placed on the surrounding rack.  This means they are less likely to become dirty or damaged, while also speeding up the process. For the time being, this expansion will allow us to keep pace with the latest growth. However, if growth continues as expected, we will probably have to look for another solution.”

 

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