ECP opens new national mega depot

Euro Car Parts has opened a new 400,000 sqft national distribution centre in Tamworth – investing £15 million in new stock in the process.

Located off junction 10 of the M42, the centre is in the middle of the UK motorway network and has a major rail-freight terminal less than half a mile away.

With over 103,000 part lines, the centre provides ECP branches across the UK with overnight delivery six days a week.

“This is the largest single investment ECP has ever made,” said owner Sukhpal Singh. “It will improve accuracy and speed when it comes to replenishing branches, giving us maximum reach across the country with minimum journey times.”

The centre, which has a mezzanine, 16 dock levellers and a minimum 12 million eaves height, also benefits from the latest wireless warehouse management technology for efficient monitoring, picking and ordering of stock.

“This centre lays the foundation for future growth and opens up strategic buying opportunities, allowing us to expand products and ranges,” said Singh.

With 12,000 sqft of open plan offices, a training centre and conference room accommodating 100 people, the new building could also become ECP’s new HQ.

Eight more distribution hubs are set to open across the country – each holding 40,000 stock-keeping units and each incorporating training centres for staff.

“This lays the foundation for ECP to become a true national player,” said Singh. With two new branches in Kent and Wolverhampton now up and running, plus another 15 due to open by the end of the year, it is difficult to disagree.