JW Filshill, one of Scotland’s oldest independent food and drink wholesalers, has completed its relocation from Hillington to a purpose-built distribution centre at Westway Park near Glasgow Airport.
The fifth-generation family firm last year ramped up investment ahead of the phased move, with the acquisition of the independent Iain Hill wholesale business.
Filshill supplies KeyStore convenience stores across Scotland and the north of England, alongside national accounts including the Scottish Prison Service. It also has 1,600 independent customers.
Chief executive Simon Hannah said that the new 120,400 sq ft depot will allow it to increase operational capacity and open more stores in Scotland and the north of England.
“Operating out of these bespoke premises, which have been designed to our exact specification as part of our 10-year growth strategy, will improve our efficiency and productivity as we invest in the long-term success of the company, protect future revenue streams and increase customer satisfaction,” he said.
“While we are disappointed that the pandemic and unforeseen planning issues delayed our move to Westway Park, we will now use the facility to drive unrivalled operational efficiency as we aspire to become the most frictionless wholesaler in Scotland.”
The 16 metre-high warehouse has 211 solar panels covering 400 sq m of roof space, along with 12 loading docks and a four-floor pick tower which can hold approximately 1,520 pallets.
Gravity-fed live racking also has a semi-automated shuttle system which holds 1,155 pallets of Filshill’s fastest-selling products.
Filshill saw turnover increase 4.4% to £200m in the year ending 31 January 2022. Operating profits increased from £2.3m to £2.7m, while gross profit of £17m was reported as net assets grew 12.6% to £17.1m.
The business was founded in Glasgow in 1875 and is now a member of Unitas Wholesale, the largest wholesale services company in the UK.
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