A £1m-plus investment in a new, purpose-built distribution centre in Thurrock is the first phase of a strategic development plan from International Decorative Surfaces (IDS) to further strengthen the company’s position in south-east England.
The new depot, which opened in June, is situated at Logistics City in Thurrock, an enables the surface materials distribution specialist to better support growing markets in London and surrounding areas with an impressive 792,000ft3 of warehousing space.
The Thurrock site represents an 82% increase in stockholding space and a 54% increase in the number of SKUs, with over £1m worth of key products in worktops, laminates, solid surface, panel products, flooring and wall panelling.
Says IDS MD John Bagshaw: “This strategic undertaking in the south east demonstrates our ongoing commitment to growing by helping our customers and suppliers grow. Our surface portfolio is constantly developing, bringing the latest product innovations to market, and it’s really important to us that we continue to meet and exceed customer expectations.
“This new facility at Thurrock is key to providing the high level of service our customers expect, with a wider depth and breadth of products than we’ve ever been able to stock before to service the south east.”
The new Thurrock warehouse investment comes on the back of a £1m spend to increase capacity at the company’s Woodford, Manchester, Ely and Nuneaton branches, to expand the Leeds and Stoke branches, and with work also planned for the Gateshead site.
In addition, IDS recently invested £100,000 into upgrading its showrooms and offices at Rosyth and Gateshead, and completed a £200,000 refurbishment of its Norwich branch to increase its stockholding and provide additional office and meeting space.
