15 minute read
automation at warehouse
£11m automation investment meets boom in demand
New system boosts efficiency at £60m plant
Alogistics provider is to spend £11 million bringing in state-of-theart automation systems to its facility at Corby.
Europa Warehouse, part of the Europa Worldwide Group, is working with German company psb intralogistics GmbH to implement the new automation technology at its plant in Plantation Lane.
Europa completed the £60 million facility last year, doubling its logistics portfolio. Now Europa is preparing a major investment in automated systems - the first at one of Europa’s facilities.
The new technology will create increased efficiencies for Europa’s customers, including e-commerce and blue chip online retailers most of which have experienced vast growth following the e-commerce boom. The new automation includes the use of goods-to-person technology to eliminate time-consuming and unproductive activities, said Europa Warehouse logistics director Maria Torrent March.
“After a whirlwind year in 2020 where resources within logistics companies were pushed to their limits, we are delighted to announce a major investment into automation at our largest warehouse in Corby,” she added. “The new technology will allow us to fulfil our commitment to our customers, improving efficiencies to cater for the increase in demand.”
Europa Warehouse provides services including e-commerce fulfilment, production services, inventory management, packing, labelling, special deliveries, final assembly, quality control and critical parts management. The anticipated efficiencies include an automated storage and retrieval system enabling Europa to pick up 136,000 bottles per day. System productivity will be enhanced with a rotapick station which improves pick rates and the new selektron warehouse control system will remove errors and allow pick speed and accuracy to be monitored centrally.
Ms Torrent March said: “Most importantly, automation will allow Europa Warehouse to provide a streamlined service, giving us the ability to better plan and predict the flow of goods, assisting our customers in the ever-growing Europa Warehouse expects efficiency improvements from the new technology installed at its Corby facility
demand for e-commerce and support the developing consumer trend of next day deliveries.” psb’s business development manager Peter Light said: “Our intelligent automated manufacturing and distribution technology solutions will transform how Europa fulfils its customer’s orders. The concept is proven and reliable.”
Rhenus: The driving force that keeps business moving
WAREHOUSING
Serving Northamptonshire from our Corby depots since 1975, Rhenus Logistics (Corby) Ltd operates through four warehouses totalling over 35,000 pallet spaces.
We provide distribution, customs bonded, e-commerce, pick and pack and are proud recipients of the BRC AA (Food Grade Storage) certification - the highest grade available.
We are experts in the long- and short-term storage of food-related products, working with household names such as Itsu Groceries.
Our 440,000 sq ft site in Corby - located in the UK’s “golden triangle of logistics” - is within a four-hour drive of 90 per cent of the UK’s population, allowing us to react quickly and serve customers throughout the UK and beyond.
Being part of the Rhenus Group - a leading global logistics service provider with a turnover of €5.4 billion, 820 locations worldwide and 33,500 employees - means we offer complete global, end-to-end logistics solutions, tailored specifically to your needs.
TRANSPORT
In addition to our extensive warehouse capabilities, we run our own fleet of 18T and articulated vehicles and trailers. Because we have our own fleet, we provide flexible, time-sensitive delivery options for shipments throughout the UK.
For smaller pallet deliveries we offer costeffective solutions as part of our Palletforce network membership, while our relationships with the UK’s top parcel carriers mean your parcels are also covered.
UK & Irish Coverage
European Coverage 24hr Nationwide Delivery
Timed Bookings
Tail Lift Delivery
Saturday AM Delivery
POD Download
41,000+ SQM WAREHOUSING SPACE
24 HOUR NATIONWIDE DELIVERY
Looking for bespoke warehousing & logistics solutions?
01536 446173
>> The local Networking round-up
Face-to-face meetings are back on the agenda for some networking groups. Other groups plan to continue to make the most of the benefits of meeting online. This means there are a still a wide range of styles which means people can find one to suit the way they like to do business.
A group for networkers looking for a constant stream of referrals, introductions, opportunities and sales. The tried and tested RIO™ model offers dynamic weekly online meetings and an experienced management team: Peterborough every Tuesday at 8am.
Cambridgeshire and South Lincolnshire
every Wednesday at 8am.
Northants and surrounding areas
every Tuesday at midday. National networking every Wednesday at midday. Contact Gary Thorpe for all events. Email: gary.thorpe@debt-doctors.co.uk
Tel: 07963 766052 or 01536 333425
All meetings are over 90-minutes, and we are continuing online, which means you’ll benefit from no increase in your time commitment, no additional fuel costs and no high monthly/weekly meeting fees.
Tuesday’s BNI (Temporary Online) Meeting
6.45am-8.30am, Ignite BNI, Holiday Inn Northampton West M1, Jct 6 (NN7 4LP).
Thursday’s BNI (Temporary Online) Meetings
6.45am-8.30am, Pavilion BNI, Collingtree Park Golf Club (NN4 0XN); 6.45am-8.30am, Prosperity BNI, Kettering Rugby Club (NN15 6NT); 11.30am-1.30pm, Sterling BNI, Delapre Golf Club (NN4 7DU).
Friday’s BNI (Temporary Online) Meeting
6.45am-8.30am, Lighthouse BNI, Franklin’s Gardens (NN5 5BG); 6.45am-8.30am, Unity BNI, Gt Doddington Club (NN29 7TL). Contact Duncan Webster for all events, email: Duncan@BNIBreakfast.co.uk, Tel: 07977 422220.
No fuss networking. Relaxed, informal, B2B, virtual networking. This café inspired solution powered by Remo provides a variety of pay-as-you-go events: Bedford Buzz Wednesday, September 1st Rugby Buzz Thursday, September 9th Bicester Buzz Thursday, September 9th Leicester Buzz Tuesday, September 14th Northampton Buzz Wednesday, September 15th MK Buzz Friday, September 17th Banbury Buzz Wednesday, September 22nd Hinckley Buzz Wednesday, September 22nd All Business Buzz events operate from 10 am to noon. Throughout September & October 2021 Buzz networking events will be returning to traditional face-to-face town centre. Check the Buzz app and website for full details. All Business Buzz events operate from 10am to noon and are bookable via the app: https://app.business-buzz.org/app For full details of all Business Buzz events please visit: www.business-buzz.org. The belief is that, with the right support at the right price - any small business can succeed. Members believe there is so much to gain with a positive attitude of mutual collaboration and a desire to share collective wisdom and experience. Northampton (7.30am-9.30am) - alternate Wednesdays. The Turnpike, Harpole. The other meetings currently remain online (until October). Daventry (7.30am-9.30am) - alternate Wednesday Wellingborough & MK (7.30am-9.30am) - alternate Thursdays Market Harborough (7.30am-9.30am) - alternate Fridays Free networking (3pm-4pm) - every Friday Brunch (9.30am-11am) – every other Tuesday of the month Evening (6.30pm-8.30pm) - 4th Tuesday of the month All meetings are £6, except the free meeting, with a money back guarantee if you don’t find a meeting of value. Visitors welcome. Details of all events and to book:
www.buscomm.co.uk/ourevents
The FSB has 2,000 members across Northamptonshire and as well as local campaigning, the team of staff local members hold regular networking and support events, currently all online and free to attend. These include a monthly FSB Northampton Virtual Networking where all are welcome, you don’t have to be an FSB member to join in. FSH also hold regular Northampton Business forum on key business issues, and MP meetings with local members. To find these and hundreds of other networking, support and webinar events online at www.fsb.org.uk. Upcoming events:
FSB Northampton Virtual Networking
Thursday, September 23rd at 10am
The Business Room is a one business area group for business owners, those in employed positions, MLMs and franchised businesses. Networking requires an investment of time and money, but it doesn’t always deliver an ROI. The Business Room is proudly different, providing a time-efficient and cost-effective way to build your contacts and collaborators and access new opportunities. Groups are back meeting face to face from 12 to 2pm with one permanent online group. These are lock out groups so only one business area is represented. Kettering Tuesday, September 14th - Kettering Park Hotel, Kettering, NN15 6XT Wellingborough Wednesday, September 15th – The Stanwick Hotel, West Street, Stanwick, NN9 6QY Northampton Thursday, September 9th – Old White Hart, Cotton End, Far Cotton, Northampton, NN4 8BS Market Harborough Thursday, September 9th – The Three Swans Hotel, 21 High Street, Market Harborough, LE16 7NJ South Northants Tuesday, September 21st – The White Horse, Stocks Hill, Silverstone, NN12 8UW Stamford Tuesday, September 21st – The William Cecil at Stamford, St Martins, Stamford, PE9 2LJ Business Room Online launches on Thursday, September 23rd. 12-2pm via zoom For further information contact: Barbara 07504 946 585/ 01933 652884 Email barbara@yourbusinessmatters.co
www.yourbusinessmatters.co
Networking group set up by Milton Keynes and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce to help young business people in the region to grow and develop via a series of monthly networking events and personal development sessions. For updates on forthcoming events visit the website at
www.northants-chamber.co.uk/who-we-are/next-generationchamber/our-events
Free to attend for start-up and established businesses and run from 9.30am to 10.30am, Visit the website at
www.northnorthantsbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Kettering Wednesday, September 8th at the Stirrup Cup, Barton Seagrave Corby Tuesday, September 21st at Holiday Inn Corby Wellingborough Monday, September 13th online East Northants no meeting planned West Northants Northampton Business Network is meeting on Wednesday, September 8th at Moulton Community Centre, book via www.northamptonbusinessnetwork.co.uk Book via www.northnorthantsbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Wednesday, September 15th – Back to Business exhibition runs from 10am to 3.30pm at Northampton Saints, Franklins Garden, Weedon Road, Northampton. The exhibition is open to both members and non-members and businesses and will include following sessions: ChamberLIVE: One Page Marketing Plan. 11am to noon. ChamberLIVE: Sales - The New Normal. 1pm to 2pm. 23rd September – PolicyHour: Meet MP - Rt Hon Dame Andrea Leadsom. Online. 9am to 10am. September 24th – Friday Wind-down Networking. Online. 3pm to 4pm.
For updates and to book events visit the website at www.northants-chamber.co.uk
Providing practical support to help businesses grow their business. There are two types of regular face to face connection events.
The Connections Club - Northants
Only open to business owners, influencers and decision makers this is a structured and professional group, which gives people the opportunity to connect with other business owners who are serious about growth. It allows you to take away a valuable skill, learning or insight – at every single meeting and meet valuable contacts. It is not lockout, but each session is limited to a maximum of three business areas. Northampton – Tuesday, September 7th: Delapre Abbey, London Road, Northampton, NN4 8AW. 11.45am to 2pm. Connections Club Stamford launches at the William Cecil Wednesday October 6th Contact: Barbara 07504 946 585/ 01933 652884 Email barbara@yourbusinessmatters.co or website:
www.yourbusinessmatters.co
>> To have your networking group’s details included in the October edition of Business Times email: news@business-times.co.uk
020 7198 2000
Property Portfolio ‘Significant’ interest as scheme nears completion
The steel frames are erected and the work to clad the units is under way. Warmflame Development’s industrial scheme is gathering apace at WD.BOXHUB moulton park.
The scheme, a total 58,913 sq ft of industrial and warehouse space in nine units, is on schedule to complete in mid-November.
Already interest from potential tenants has been “significant”, say agents Prop-Search. Three of the units are already under offer and solicitors have been instructed.
Prop-Search director Richard Baker said: “We are delighted to have received significant interest in WD.BOXHUB and the fact that we have three units under offer prior to the units being completed shows both the current strength of the market and the demand that exists for occupiers who want to own their own units.”
Stuart Mair, development director at Warmflame Developments, added: “We are really pleased with the level of interest that our agents have generated.
“We have always felt there was a lack of high-quality industrial and warehouse product in the Northampton market for the SME sector and especially for companies who wanted to own their buildings rather than lease them.”
The world of planning never stands still: The verdict on the government’s amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework Planning changes prioritise quality and environment
Key changes by the government to the National Planning Policy Framework have seen a greater focus on building design, quality and the environment.
The NPPF was first launched in 2012 and sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. It must be followed by councils when they prepare local plans, against which local planning applications are judged.
The main changes in the 75-page framework include:
Longer-term plans by
councils. Strategic policies should look ahead over a minimum 15-year period from adoption, to anticipate and respond to longterm requirements and opportunities. Where largerscale developments are taking place, policies should be set within a vision that looks further ahead to at least 30 years.
Restricted use of Article 4
directions. Local councils should only use Article 4 directions to prevent the conversion of non-residential property to homes under permitted development rights if it is ‘necessary to avoid wholly unacceptable adverse impacts’. It must also apply to the smallest geographical area, where possible. The revised framework states it is unlikely an Article 4 direction could now extend to a whole town centre. Tree planting. Planning policies and decisions should ensure new streets are treelined, and opportunities should be taken to incorporate trees elsewhere within the development. Trees within development sites should be retained where possible.
Protection of historic
statues. In applications wishing to remove or alter a historic statue, local planning authorities should have regard to the importance of their retention in situ and, where appropriate, of explaining their historic and social context rather than removal.
Creation of design codes.
All local planning authorities must create design codes in line with the National
Model Design and National Design Code. These national documents should be used to guide decisions on applications in the absence of locally produced design guides or design codes.
Flood risk classification.
This categorises different types of development into Essential Infrastructure, Highly Vulnerable, More Vulnerable, Less Vulnerable and Water Compatible Development
Removal of ‘innovative’ regarding housing within
the open countryside.
Planning consultant Lauren May, from leading property business Berrys, said: “The changes to the NPPF demonstrate that the world of planning never stands still. It will be necessary for local councils to respond positively to these changes which emphasise the importance of design and sustainability in the planning of our communities.”
n To discuss the finer points of the changes or any planning or developmentrelated requirements, contact Lauren May on 01536 213158 or email lauren.may@berrys. uk.com
NORTHAMPTON: 01604 604070 KETTERING: 01536 483400KETTERING: 01536 483400 PETERBOROUGH: 01733 209480PETERBOROUGH: 01733 209480
@BudHardcastle @BudworthHardcastleLimited budworth-hardcastle
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