A £250,000 overhaul of the storage system at Lyreco has increased capacity, improved pick accuracy rates and boosted productivity by up to 25 per cent in the first months of operation.

Lyreco, which serves customers across the UK via next-day delivery from its 50,000sq m warehouse in Telford, Shropshire, can now hold three times as many product lines within the equivalent footprint, thanks to its new vertical storage system.

The automated system involves three towering Kardex XP500 machines, reaching up to 12m in height, allowing storage in vertical space that was not previously utilised. It features 300 trays, measuring 2850mm x 864mm, which can cope with loads of up to 360kg that are picked and delivered directly to the operator at an ergonomic height and dramatically reducing walking distances.

The major investment in capacity supports Lyreco’s core vision to be a complete workplace solution for its customers.

Richard Taylor, National Distribution Centre Manager at Lyreco said, “we were looking for a solution that would let us increase our capacity whilst allowing us to maintain the very high service levels we already offer to our customers.

“We are very proud of our picking accuracy rates and ability to deliver ‘on time, in full’ and this investment allows us to hold more product lines without compromise. Efficiency has been improved, and the reduction in walking distances and delivery of the product to the operator at waist height, has improved the working environment for our employees.”

The new equipment also offers more opportunities for Lyreco to enhance its offer by expanding its range of workplace supplies and its ‘hold and ship’ bespoke lines for specific customers.