08 February 2010

Solution to manage rapid expansion, seasonality and quality

NYK Logistics has been appointed by Dobbies Garden Centres to support its seasonal operations and its expanding ecommerce business. The garden and home retailer operates 25 garden centres in the UK. After branching out from its original base in Scotland, it now has outlets as far south as Shepton Mallet and Milton Keynes.

To cater for its rapid expansion and the seasonal nature of its business, Dobbies required a flexible solution that could cope with volume stock build as well as the rapid dispatch of the varied ranges it sells at different times of year. Dobbies was also seeking to reinforce quality standards across its product range.

NYK’s logistics operation is based at its Glasgow distribution centre. The Company provides an end-to-end supply chain solution, from Dobbies’ suppliers in the Far East, to stores in the UK. NYK is also managing home delivery to individual customers, while its service includes stock intake, storage, order picking and delivery.

This will enable Dobbies to improve its geographic reach and stockholding, while providing significant IT benefits. Since it appointed NYK, Dobbies has realised improved stock integrity, visibility throughout the seasonal supply chain, improvement to management information and reduced damages.