Gardman announced on Friday that it is to close its Kings Lynn warehouse and re-locate in October to new purpose-built facilities in Daventry, Northants.
Warehousing capacity will increase from 45,000 pallets to more than 65,000. The company says the new location is in a more central position from which to service its customers needs.
A significant investment in stock means that service levels for the current season will not be affected.
A period of redundancy consultation is under way for the Kings Lynn workforce, thought to number about 150. Relocation packages are on offer for those who wish to go to Daventry and some staff may be accommodated in vacant posts at the firm’s head office in Peterborough – but it seems likely that many will be made redundant.
A statement by Gardman said the move followed a 12-month review of its current operations: “Our current warehouse facilities are ageing, inefficient to run and do not have the capacity to support the current business needs nor accommodate the future growth aspirations of the business.”
It said the review considered various options, which included new warehousing within the King’s Lynn area, but was unable to identify suitable alternative sites. “A Daventry location will enable Gardman to work more efficiently due to being based closer to its customers.”
The Daventry facility will be handed over in the summer and be fully operational by the end of the year. The head office will remain in Peterborough. “Moving the operation to new facilities will enable the company to progress with its business plans for further growth whilst improving service to customers.,” the statement added.
Gardman chief executive Pete Utting said: “In the current market of increasing customer demands, we continually re-evaluate our supply chain and service proposition. Therefore, we have taken the decision to relocate our warehouse operations to a purpose-built, centrally-based, environmentally-friendly site
“This decision has not been taken lightly and is obviously an unsettling time for those affected. The King’s Lynn team have consistently shown their dedication and commitment and we will support all affected employees through the transition.”
The Gardman Statement in full:
The UK’s leading provider of gardening and wild bird care products has announced that following a 12 month review of its current operations it has taken the decision to consolidate and relocate its warehouse facilities in the Kings Lynn area to a single, purpose built site in Daventry, Northamptonshire.
Our current warehouse facilities are ageing, inefficient to run and do not have the capacity to support the current business needs nor accommodate the future growth aspirations of the business.
The review considered various options which included new warehousing within the Kings Lynn area but was unable to identify suitable alternative sites. A Daventry location will enable Gardman to work more efficiently due to being based closer to its customers.
The new facility is due to be handed over in Q3 2017 and will be fully operational by end of the year.
The head office facility will remain in Peterborough.
Moving the operation to new facilities will enable the company to progress with its business plans for further growth whilst improving service to customers.
As a consequence of this decision regrettably all positions based at all warehousing locations will be at risk of redundancy. However there will be opportunities for employees to relocate to the new facility or be considered for any vacant roles within the Peterborough Head Office.
“In the current market of increasing customer demands we continually re-evaluate our supply chain and service proposition. Therefore, we have taken the decision to relocate our warehouse operations to a purpose built, centrally based, environmentally friendly site “
“This decision has not been taken lightly and is obviously an unsettling time for those affected. The Kings Lynn team have consistently shown their dedication and commitment and we will support all affected employees through the transition.” said Peter Utting, CEO at Gardman.
