IWS Group is a family of market-leading product brands, manufacturers and service companies. Since 2019, IWS Group has quickly become a leading force in the industry, renowned for its provision of essential services and supplies to the logistics, materials handling, and industrial sectors across Europe and beyond.
Richard Harden, CEO at IWS Group speaks to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What are your best-known products/solutions/services?
Each business in our four companies in the IWS Group contributes significantly to our unique offering. Rack Group can provide a full suite of racking services through its in-house team, from racking design and installation to maintenance, repairs, and accredited inspections and training.
Brandsafe provides a wide range of tested polymer and steel impact protection systems, from safety barriers, bollards and Rack Armour® to wheel stops and speed bumps.
Beaverswood® and Anco Storage complement each other’s offerings, providing numerous sought-after warehouse identification, visual management, and storage solutions, such as labelling, racksack® waste recycling sacks, Modulean® shadow boards, frames4docs®, and racking, shelving, small parts storage, and more.
Which industry sectors are your customers in, and which ones are growing fastest?
IWS Group provides safety solutions for the full lifecycle of the warehouse, meaning we work with customers across all industry sectors. We’re seeing particular growth in the food and beverage sector and 3PL and 4PL operations.
What are your most recent products and innovations?
We’ve created an in-house testing area with a purpose-built pendulum rig, which has been certified by TÜV Nord to impact test our Brandsafe® products to the PAS 13 standard.
Additionally, both Anco and Beaverswood® continue to innovate, launching sought-after products such as component organisers and racksack® nano.
What are the major trends and developments affecting your category and your customers, and how are you responding?
We’re seeing an increase in the number of food and beverage distribution centres, as well as chilled logistics infrastructure. Another major trend is the installation of mezzanine floors to increase the amount of space in existing warehouses. This has also led to growing demand for other space-saving solutions, such as small parts storage and the racksack® range.
Can you tell us about any recent customer contracts and how you helped the customer meet their challenges?
We regularly work with Amazon, DHL, Lidl, and HelloFresh, to name just a few of our clients. We’ve designed bespoke impact safety systems for each company and implemented workplace efficiency and signage solutions, such as floor and line marking.
How does business in 2024 compare to previous years? What’s your strategy for succeeding in the current climate?
It’s fair to say the construction industry had a challenging year. We’ve found success in something we’ve always been renowned for: our agility, responsiveness, and lead times, which allow us to deliver for our customers when they need it most.
What’s the latest news from your company?
Alongside continuously developing our product and service offerings, we’ve also made strategic additions to our team. Gary Coleman joined as Divisional Managing Director for Rack Group and Brandsafe, his industry experience and vision will undoubtedly help to take IWS Group to even greater success.
Can you tell us about any areas where you’re currently making technical advances e.g., safety, sustainability, environment?
Our SHEQ, design, production, and operations teams across IWS Group work tirelessly to ensure we operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably. Product recyclability and carbon neutrality are significant focuses for us going forward.
Are you investing in staff training and skills development?
Personal and professional development is a priority for us. We run regular in-house training sessions for our team and invest in external qualifications at all levels and departments across the business.
Are you taking part in any major trade shows? Can you tell us what you’ll be exhibiting there?
We plan to exhibit at major trade shows in 2025 and beyond, which we’ll announce soon, so watch this space for more developments!
IWS Group
Beaverswood: 01189 796 096
Rack Group: 01226 784 488
Brandsafe: 01525 850 222
Anco Storage: 01403 785 985
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