Innovative and creative solutions and expert project management by Atlet have helped Waitrose boost productivity and eliminate manual battery handling at its Aylesford distribution centre. Atlet undertook the design and oversaw the entire materials handling equipment and battery change project as well as supplying a new fleet of reach trucks, order pickers, pallet transporters, counterbalance and hand pallet trucks. “It’s gone extremely well from concept to completion,” says Colin Robson, Engineering Manager at Waitrose. “We involved our people in the decision process which is very much in line with the overall John Lewis Partnership philosophy. The Atlet national accounts team supported us all the way through, gave us the right answers and delivered what they said they would, on time.”
Waitrose is a long-time user of Atlet trucks at its main distribution centre in Bracknell and the two companies have formed a close working relationship. But despite its ongoing relationship with Atlet, Waitrose always tests the market for new contracts and a number of potential suppliers were invited to make their proposals.
“Atlet was not the cheapest, but the truck supplier with the lowest price could not do all that we wanted,” says Colin Robson. “We looked at the overall offer including products and service and after assessing it all, Atlet came out on top. They were very creative. The result was that we worked together, to draw up the truck specification and to design the space and battery change area to work in the most economic way for maximum efficiency.”
Part of the John Lewis Partnership and one of the UK’s best-known supermarkets, Waitrose has over 180 stores across the country. The Aylesford distribution centre, which serves stores in London and the South East, was refurbished during 2007 as part of the company’s ongoing development programme following recent acquisition from a rival supermarket.
Whereas the Bracknell distribution centre had grown organically, at Aylesford – although there were some constraints – it was possible to take a new approach. The roof was slightly lower and the racking aisles were narrower. But widening the aisles to Waitrose’s standard specification would have involved moving sprinklers and lights making that option expensive. Atlet, working with Waitrose staff – known internally as ‘Partners’ because of Waitrose’s unique partnership employment model – devised a solution which met all their requirements.
Waitrose specified a demanding timeframe for the introduction of the new equipment. Deliveries were scheduled for specific days and times over a three month period in mid-2007 to minimise disruption to ongoing operations. Atlet brought in a specialist project manager to oversee the transition and this proved to be a highly effective approach. The batteries were installed before truck deliveries commenced.
Atlet Limited
Paul Forster
Tel: 01844 215501
www.atlet.co.uk
Comments are closed.