The quarter mile long building, which has a 7,000m2 stock holding capacity, was unveiled to press and customers on January 11 next to Makita‘s existing headquarters and warehouse in Milton Keynes. Racking is currently being installed and the facility will be fully operational during February.
The warehouse is designed to relieve the stock holding capacity restrictions that have hindered sales deliveries as Makita’s market share has continued to grow.
“The new warehouse will improve the inward and outward flow of our products and our efficiency to deal properly with valued orders,” said Andrew Helby, Makita UK marketing manager.
Makita, which achieved a UK turnover of £80m during 2005, said it had enjoyed double digit sales growth over the past five to seven years and had outgrown its existing large warehouse. The new building is intended to meet demand for the next 10 years.
The company has a manufacturing plant at Telford which supplies both the UK and international markets. All product dispatches to UK customers will come from Milton Keynes.
A recycled wood pellet-fired heating boiler has been installed to help the new building achieve a 10% renewable energy target.
Makita has become the latest member to join the Power Fastenings Association, which represents UK suppliers of pneumatically-powered nailing and stapling equipment, collated fasteners and fastening systems used widely in the woodworking and construction industries.
