Link 51 storage versatility provides it all at new Danwood site. The versatility of pallet racking and live storage systems from Link 51 is much in evidence at the new Danwood Group Distribution Centre in Lincoln. The organisation's move to new 100,000 sq. ft. premises has enabled it to take full advantage of Link 51's systems with a storage installation featuring a mix of the company's XL pallet racking, two-tier carton live picking systems and mezzanine design – with interconnecting conveyors also installed by the UK's leading storage specialist.
Since 1971, the Danwood Group has built an enviable reputation in its field with the distribution of printers and copiers alongside consumables and spare parts to a long list of customers. Today, some 32 sales offices throughout the UK and Ireland, together with satellite distribution centres in Scotland and Ireland, are linked to the new Lincoln facility. With over 1,000 new and 2,000 second-hand units per month being shipped, the capacity and flexibility of the storage system is fundamental to the ongoing success of the operation.
"We needed to ensure that the optimum blend of bulk storage and picking of smaller parts is achieved at the new facility," comments Group Purchasing and Logistics Director, Peter Hopton.
"This has seen Link 51 pallet racking installed to allow six levels of storage which can accommodate either palletised items or, importantly, larger machines which are delivered complete with wheel fittings. The latter," he continues, "are located into the racking using pairs of parallel runners that span from the front to back beams which Link 51 has installed specifically to meet this precise requirement."
The mezzanine structure meets a duel picking function with long term storage items on the upper level and the main rapid picking area on the floor underneath. In conjunction with the rack-stored items, this allows the Danwood Group to select specific delivery consignments to meet precise call-off requirements from the sales offices and the distribution centres in Scotland and in Ireland – irrespective of size.
"This is an important and versatile installation for one of the leading companies in its field and we are delighted to have been able to undertake the installation," comments Link 51's Marketing Manager, Emma Bloomer. "It is always important that a project of this type not only meets current stocking requirements but also provides sufficient capacity for growth and development in the future and we believe the layout in Lincoln meets this particular objective head-on."
These are factors that are echoed by Peter Hopton who also draws attention to – "the quality of the Link 51 design, the professionalism of the organisation's approach to our requirements and, of course, their costing structure", as being key factors behind the decision to appoint the Telford-based storage system specialists for the project.