Online electricals retailer AO is opening its third distribution warehouse in four months as it continues to expand its logistics network at lightening speed. The new site is AO’s biggest warehouse to date, adding over 275,000 sq ft of distribution space to their portfolio with the premises at G-Park in Stoke-on-Trent.
In recent months, AO has acquired over half a million sq ft of new warehousing space across Cheshire and Staffordshire to ensure it has the capacity to manage growing customer demand while allowing colleagues to work socially distanced and safely during the pandemic.
Opening this week, the fifth warehouse in AO’s portfolio will create 120 new jobs in a range of roles. With AO launching a nationwide recruitment drive for over 650 jobs, the warehouse expansion presents fresh and exciting opportunities for those in Staffordshire. While the large site will be used primarily for distribution to AO’s 18 ‘local hub’ depots nationwide, there are plans for it to include a delivery depot to be even closer to customers in the area.
David Ashwell, MD of AO Logistics, said: “Expanding our logistics network is a crucial step in our growth strategy, so we can continue to serve customers when they need us the most. We’ve really had to act quickly to adapt to an influx in customers following the Covid-19 lockdown. By actively securing more warehousing space and creating hundreds of new, quality jobs in the process, we’re working hard to invest in the future.”
“As a business, we’re proud to provide both an essential service for customers and a safe working environment for our people, with social distancing in place. Our team have continued to adapt to necessary changes and they are taking the swift expansion in their stride. With our latest distribution sites in Stoke-on-Trent and Stafford, we’ve now established a strong logistics hub in the North West.”
The sustainability initiatives at G-Park make it an ideal fit for AO, as the site uses rainwater harvesting to reduce water usage and enhanced skylights to make the most of natural light.
The unit has been leased by GLP, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses. Sarah Ratcliffe, commercial property partner at Yorkshire law firm Gordons, advised AO on the lease negotiations for the warehouse.
AO.com acquired the two-person delivery company, formerly Expert Logistics, in 2009, and it now offers next day delivery to every UK postcode seven days a week on its range of 12,000 electrical products.