Business
Smiths News' Major Investment
Smiths News' Major Investment.
About this update from Smiths News Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n RNS Number : 9045J Smiths News PLC 16 December 2008 \n\nSmiths News PLC\n\nSmiths News' Major Investment in South Wales\n\nSmiths News has further strengthened its position as the UK's leading newspaper and magazine wholesaler by investing over £1m in its new distribution centre in South Wales. \n\nOn 15 December Smiths News opens its new flagship base in South Wales taking over the former 'LG Electronics' building at Imperial Park, Newport. The move will see the Company relocate its Cardiff and Bridgend business into the Newport super-centre by the end of February 2009.\n\nGraeme Underhill, Operations Director at Smiths News, commented, 'Improving service for our retailers is a key priority for us. The new facility has been designed with service efficiency, Health and Safety and process improvement at the heart of our plans.\n\nWe're delighted to be making this investment in Newport. This further demonstrates our commitment to the area and provides a fantastic place to work for our staff'.\n\nRecycling and customer service will see real improvements at Smiths News' new Newport\ndistribution centre. After successful trials at the Company's Plymouth site, Newport will be the second news and magazine wholesale house in the country to introduce a new process for recycling waste. The new equipment stores waste in large 'walking floor containers' which has significantly reduced the number of vehicles required to collect waste. Across both depots it will see collections over a year reduce by three quarters. \n\nThe new customer service team at Newport will draw together all the local knowledge and expertise from across South Wales into one large team. This will really benefit retailers who currently have to phone different departments dependent on the nature of their call. From mid February there will be one team who will manage all retailer calls.\n\nKevin Clarke, Newport Group Manager said:\n'It's really pleasing to see the plans for Smiths News' biggest site coming together. The new site gives real potential for growth, and of course we're thrilled to be able to make improvements to service that our retailers will really benefit f...