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FTUK: Investing in Service
Posted: 12/03/2018
| Service has always been of central importance to FTUK and over the last 12 months we have made a large investment in our head office in Skelmersdale, Lancashire to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve when it comes to offering customers the very best service in the industry. The investment covers a number of areas of the business including systems, stock, offices and training facilities.
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The initial phase of investment saw the introduction of three additional Kardex lift systems which offer another 9000 individual pick locations and an additional 133 tonnes of product storage. Their introduction brings the total number of Kardex lifts on site to sixteen and combined with the creation of a further 2000 pallet locations and significant investment in stock of both new and existing products, FTUK can now offer next day delivery on orders placed by 10pm on more products than ever before.
Marc Borland, Logistics Director comments “Around 75% of our stock is now housed in Kardex lifts and as operator pick rates are more than twice as fast, this investment means that we can supply more customers with more products, more efficiently than ever before.” |
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Flowtechnology UK’s office space has also seen an overhaul, with the whole complex being redesigned and reconfigured to facilitate clear and open communication, ensuring that customers’ needs are always met efficiently. All commercial staff also now use multi-screen workstations to enable fast and effective multi-tasking, increased productivity and maximised responsiveness to customer requirements.
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FTUK’s training and conference facilities have also been remodelled with cutting edge audio visual equipment and custom built, practical training equipment, all providing the ideal facilities for both staff and customers to develop the technical knowledge.
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However, it’s not just the logistics office side of the business which we have upgraded. We've also invested in a brand new e-commerce website which continues to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of customers and have followed this up with a mobile app which can be used to check stock and order products while on the move. The app, which is iOS and Android compatible, features a barcode scanner and is ideal for use in stock rooms to replenish stock levels.
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All FTUK product packaging is labelled with a barcode sticker; customers simply store products in the packaging and scan to re-order. The app can also be used offline, enabling customers to build up their order and then ‘checkout’ later when they have internet connectivity.
Keith Dickinson, Business Development Director, comments “We are committed to providing our customers with the best service in the industry. With over 60,000 products in our catalogue, plus access to over a million other products from our global network of suppliers, customers have more opportunities than ever to win new business. What’s more, we’re backing that up with investment in our facilities right across the business to make sure that our customers receive the service that they need to be successful.”