Breathing Space – Railstore company profile
Railstore is a company on the move. The Essex-based overnight distribution and warehousing firm relocated its head office in April 2000 from Romford to Childerditch, just outside Brentwood. But a change in bricks and mortar, piping and square yards is not the only measure of movement for the company.
The 38-year-old firm is revelling in financial growth and expansion due in part, says managing director Martin Reynolds, to operating a nationwide overnight palletised delivery service for the Palletline network.
Reynolds talks of the reasons for the relocation: 'We had simply outgrown our site in Romford. 'It had increasingly turned into a residential area over the years. The new premises at Brentwood provide us with five acres of combined warehousing, transit sheds, offices and transport parking.- Reynolds adds that the new location has been strategically chosen. It is located 1 minute from the A127 and less than 5 minutes from J29 of the M25. The total cost of the move was £250,000.
Reynolds describes the relocation as upsetting for the company's business. 'We couldn't do any new work. We couldn't acquire new work. Finding the land we wanted was also difficult. Then there was the dismantling and distribution of racking while keeping all our customers happy. The movement of staff was also a problem, but we have managed to retain all of them,' he says. At the new eight acre site, Railstore will provide enhanced warehousing, pick and pack and a general logistics service for customers. Most of which, says Reynolds, are in the paper industry. Storage provision includes a modern anti-static floor, and there has been the installation of over 6,000 pallet positions.
The Brentwood site has over 6,000sq m of modern bulk and racked warehousing. There is a wide range of handling equipment available including pallet trucks, through-reach and narrow-aisle trucks. 'This means there is very little we can't handle,- boasts Reynolds.
Helping with this development is Railstore's increased investment in IT. The firm launched its Windows-based inventory management software system last year, which Reynolds maintains has helped reduce costs in both warehousing and distribution.
'The new system not only controls stock, but also estimates future demand and places orders with suppliers,- adds Reynolds. 'It keeps track of all delivery requirements.- The inventory management software and services are provided by Railstore's associate company, New Concept Software. This was launched in 1993. It emerged, says Reynolds, as a 'powerful answer- to client requests.
'Users enjoy greater control over their stocks and can forecast the future better using our modelling programs,- he adds. He maintains that the system was designed with 'simplicity in mind'. Called the Logistics Package, Reynolds explains that customers receive one database for themselves and their suppliers.
In terms of distribution, Reynolds says, Railstore has invested heavily in developing new systems.
'We are now able to meet the tightest of all distribution deadlines and cover the movement of all types of goods in London and the South-east.' The coverage of Railstore's distribution network stretches throughout the UK with a nationwide express service for rapid pallet delivery. Railstore offers fast overnight palletised distribution or a three-day economy service. Customers are also offered a full consultancy service from Railstore covering concerns and queries over supply chain distribution management. Reynolds stresses that as shareholders in Palletline, the overnight palletised distribution service, there is 'little we cannot deliver'. Another added service Railstore has targeted is that of archive, storage and retrieval systems for customers. Reynolds says that the storage and document retrieval systems aim to help customers run their businesses 'more effectively'.
'Security is vital for businesses today, and with our systems, called Firestore, our customers can be assured that their documents are secure and available only to those entitled to access them,' explains Reynolds. He adds: 'If a crisis does occur, sensitive and vital company information is immediately accessible. 'One phone call immediately locates the file or document a customer wants.' Railstore supplies storage boxes for A4, foolscap, computer printouts and binders as an additional service.
Reynolds asserts that all these added services are proof that the company is not resting on its laurels.
Rail by name not by nature
There is provision at the new site for rail sidings although Railstore currently does not have a rail connection. 'We have to be very sure we have the volume for rail freight, to make it financially viable. The problem with rail freight currently is that it is not flexible. It is just too expensive.- Railstore says connection with Railtrack for the sidings would take a year to complete.
