Downton, one of UK’s leading independently owned logistics firms, has acquired a new warehouse space as part of its development in Sharpness. The company will be able now to maximise storage capacity and streamline preparation of outbound loads.

The firm benefited from the help of Jungheinrich UK, a leading international company in the material handling equipment, to design and implement the pallet racking of the new site. The two have worked together before when Downton used the forklift trucks and the very narrow aisle (VNA) racking within the Quedgeley distribution centre.

The two have been working together for more than ten years: “We first started using some of the forklift truck models before it soon became obvious that Jungheinrich was a partner for all aspects of our materials handling equipment requirements,” explained Richard Downton, director of Downton.

The logistics firm introduced Jungheinrich to the Sharpness project and the operation is running efficiently, with the two working closely to deliver the right solution.

“A lot of companies promise integrated materials handling equipment, racking and warehouse management systems,” concludes Richard. “But we knew from experience that the only company we trusted to truly deliver this was Jungheinrich.”
Steve Richmond, director of Logistics System comments on the relationship they have built that it “has enabled us to develop solutions that perfectly match the requirements of our clients, not only from a materials handling perspective, but by also ensuring that such solutions are aligned to the strategic needs of their organisation.”

Downton has 16 distribution hubs across the UK, operating 600 tractor units and 1,800 trailers. Some of the most recognisable brands across a multitude of industry sectors – print and publishing, ink and paper, food and drink, retail, manufacturing, energy, waste, and consumer goods – are on Downton’s client list.