James Latham plc has consolidated its storage facilities at the Port of Tilbury to improve service levels to its depots and customers.
The company signed a new agreement with the port which will see its imported timber and panel products stocked in one shed, instead of dispersed around Tilbury.
Group panel products director Chris Sutton said: “We had stock across the whole of the port and it made identification, selection and loading quite difficult.”
The consolidation enables Lathams to offer delivery of 4-8 pack mixed product orders at more competitive prices, as well as giving southern merchant and importer customers the opportunity of collecting a wider range of goods.
The company is also dealing more closely with shipping lines and agents to ensure Tilbury is its preferred port of discharge. But other ports will still be used.
The move is also designed to help Lathams import a greater range of stock from Asia, South America, Scandinavia and eastern Europe.
