AYS increases warehouse capacity as demand soars

A UK logistics and road freight specialist is significantly expanding its warehousing facilities at a time when demand for UK industrial space has hit a six-month high.

Midlands-based AYS Logistics is embarking on an ambitious project to increase its warehousing capacity by up to twenty per cent at a time when property expert DTZ has released figures demonstrating a countrywide need for industrial space. This demand is coming primarily from retailers looking for vital space to store deliveries, but other industries such as manufacturing are also craving storage space.

The project at AYS will see the company narrow its existing warehouse aisles to fit an additional 216 pallet spaces into one of its units. This will not only result in greater storage space for the company but will also enable AYS customers to benefit from a faster first-time pick rate and additional accessible lower racking locations for fast moving items.

Commercial Director at AYS Logistics, Duncan Foyle explained: “We have long recognised that any company assets have to be used to their maximum extent and with the costs of good quality warehouse increasing, space utilisation has become really important. By increasing our existing warehouse capacity simply by changing the layout of the aisles, we can improve our service offering without having to commit to the large investment required for additional warehouse purchasing.”

The project will see AYS invest in additional racking facilities and modify its specialist reach fork lift truck. Additional staff training will be provided to all warehouse staff in order to ensure that strict health and safety regulations continue to be adhered to following the change.

In a move to make the business more sustainable and enhance its environmental credentials, the cost of additional unit lighting will be recovered within three years by switching to low energy lamps and audio lighting, which require less energy. The project comes at an exciting time for AYS Logistics, which has recently introduced a full international distribution service and renewed its FORS accreditation.

Duncan Foyle added: “This improvement in warehouse capacity will be managed carefully and should deliver large benefits to us as a growing business. Not many logistics companies offer the full road, air, sea and storage facilities that we do and by enhancing our existing resources we are able to provide a complete single solution to businesses everywhere, from our central Midlands base.”