Storage firm has capacity to grow

THERE were boxes upon boxes – and they were all piled up at a Plymouth warehousing firm.

Estover-based ABC Logistics is a leading company operating in the growing storage market.

PLENTY OF V-ROOM: Group operations manager of ABC Logistics Ray Johns and managing director Des Smith in their warehouse where people are storing a variety of products including cars
WATCH THIS SPACE: Group operations manager of ABC Logistics Ray Johns in the sizeable warehouse. Below, warehouse administrator for ABC Logistics Fiona Bradford in the caravan storage area
xxxxx28/10/2009 - Pic by Lucy Blake Business Business at the warehouse. Reporter William Contact Leanne Brahall on 692226

At its huge, 15,000sqft, building, at the Airport Business Park, it houses a wide range of items from documents to motorbike components, computers, biscuits, beers, to caravans and boats.

It has even housed a demo car for the Driving Standards Agency.

"It's so diverse," said group operations manager Ray Johns.

ABC Logistics stores items for well-known companies such as bed-maker Vi-Spring, Kawasaki motorbikes, distributor Appleby Westward, crisp manufacturer Burts, Western Mortgage Services, smaller enterprises, and organisations such as the NHS.

Part of the large Una Group, ABC Logistics prides itself on its flexibility when asked to look after something.

"I hate saying 'no'," said Mr Johns. "We don't turn anything away, unless it is hazardous."

"It's mainly pallets of whatever they (clients) are manufacturing: machine parts, drinks, empty cardboard boxes – either components or finished goods.

"But some of the raw materials will come to us. For Kawasaki it comes from Japan, they call you for the parts they need.

"Vi-Spring is the same, it's the parts for the beds. NHS it's archiving. We do a lot for local companies, it's releasing space.

"If someone wants a file we will pull it out, and they can go into a room and read it.

"People are outsourcing to us so they can spend more time manufacturing."

And there is room outside too with a compound of stored caravans, and other items packed into 20ft containers.

"Some are for businesses, some are for people wanting to move and store their furniture," Mr Johns said.

ABC Logistics was formed in 2004, but its building, a former toothpaste factory, is more than 30 years old. It has space for 6,500 pallets, which can be piled on eight levels of shelving – that's 50 ft high.

The pallets are wooden framed and about 1.3metres to 1.5metres in height.

Mr Johns ran the warehouse for the toothpaste firm, and when it pulled out it was decided to keep the facility and bring in business from outside. There are 23 people working for ABC Logistics.

Managing director Des Smith said firms are downsizing and need space. But he is also looking at the post-recession picture, wanting to attract companies that will stay during the upturn.

"We can grow," he said.