The Range and DHL Supply Chain have opened a new, £100m distribution centre in Avonmouth, Bristol, creating 1,000 new jobs in the region. The distribution hub, designed to support the rapid expansion of The Range home retail brand, is one of the largest in the UK at 1.2m sq ft.
The new distribution hub will support ongoing store growth and the expansion of The Range’s multi-channel operations, adding to the capabilities of its e-commerce distribution centre in the Midlands, also managed by DHL.
The Avonmouth site is set to be one of the most technologically sophisticated warehouses in the country. It will possess new materials handling equipment (MHE) technology, enabling The Range’s fleet of forklift trucks to operate with heightened caution in restricted spaces and areas of populated activity. This equipment also makes use of sniffer systems to detect any gaseous materials.
In addition, the location of the facility benefits from a nearby motorway, on-site direct rail freight service and adjacent sea connections.
Founder and owner of The Range, Chris Dawson said: “I am tremendously proud of everyone who has worked to get this exciting project ready on schedule. The Range has experienced remarkable success to date. This new, innovative distribution centre will allow us to expand to further locations around Europe while evolving our ecommerce division and providing an even better service in store and online to our local and global customers.
“Along with over 1,000 new jobs, this site will deliver long-term service contracts for local suppliers and inject millions of pounds into the Bristol economy every year, having already supported local firms during the construction.”
John Boulter, MD UKI Retail, DHL Supply Chain, said: “We have worked closely with The Range over the last five years and are delighted to build on our relationship with the management of the Avonmouth distribution centre, the fifth site under DHL’s management.
“This distribution centre is set to substantially improve the logistics infrastructure and reduce transport mileage and carbon emissions by 30%. Accompanied by the new warehouse’s state-of-the-art technological capabilities and DHL’s experience and scale, The Range will have a strong foundation for its exciting expansion plans, and we look forward to supporting them every step of the way.”
Source: Deutsche Post DHL Group
