Davies Turner is actively pursuing new business for its state-of-the-art Distribution Centre at Coleshill, Birmingham.

Comments Philip Stephenson, joint managing director: "One of the reasons that we originally built this D.C was to service a wide-ranging logistics contract that we were awarded with a leading high street fashion chain.

"After seven years successful operation with us at Coleshill, Primark’s very strong expansion and decision to further centralise its distribution later this year has resulted in it out-growing our purpose built warehouse, which gives us the opportunity to market this facility as a highly efficient going concern with a proven track record."

Davies Turner’s West Midlands Freight Terminal is on a 7½ acre (3 hectare) site with 150,000 sq.ft or 14,000 sqm of warehousing and ancillary offices. It has 50 loading doors with powered dock levellers. There is also a side-loading dock and a large canopied area for the handling of out-of-gauge items.

Adjoining the transit depot, the dedicated logistics warehouse comprises 6,500 sqm internal floor area and has a clear eaves height of 13 metres. Integrated warehouse management systems ensure efficient stock control linked to web accessed track and trace right through to electronic P.O.D on final delivery.

Equipped with narrow-aisle, high-bay racking with 10,000 pallet locations, the lay-out includes multi-tier mezzanines equipped with conveyors for pick and pack and order sorting, with shelving and deck space totalling another 5,000 sqm. The operational area for storage and logistics work therefore equates to over 11,000 sqm.

"Such features make this purpose-build ideal for international logistics customers including those requiring medium term storage, order-sorting and distribution, whether for imports &/or exports," adds Mr Stephenson.

"We have much to offer shippers based in the Midlands or overseas customers looking for full scale supply chain management services," adds Mike Dean, Davies Turner’s regional director.

"Strategically-located between the M6/M42 junction and the Hams Hall road-rail interchange, this logistics hub gives customers access to our network of freight services covering the UK and Ireland, with global connections throughout continental Europe and all main markets beyond.

"This hub is a central link in our chain of purpose-built freight terminals which includes our Regional Distribution Centres at Bristol, Dartford, Dublin, Glasgow, Heathrow and Manchester. All of these have been developed to meet the demands of our customers and overseas partners.

"The network is backed by our traditional strengths in customs clearance and simplified procedures through which we already handle a wide range of different commodities and product groups. Our branch warehousing coverage and national distribution network supported by our software development team enable us to offer bespoke packages and also to interface with the systems operated by our customers," he added.

Concludes Philip Stephenson: "Over the last few years, this Midlands hub has become our showcase for investment in both ICT hardware and in systems analysis and software applications to support development of international Logistics alongside our air cargo, overland, and ocean freight divisions.

"We have a great team in Coleshill, experienced in supply chain management and, thanks both to meeting the demands of the Primark contract and a busy start to 2006, operating in a D.C that is truly state-of-the-art."
Source: Press Release