A new national distribution centre (NDC) is being opened in the Midlands by GSF Car Parts as it continues to drive for growth in supplying car repair workshops across the UK.
GSF said that centralising distribution will enable it to increase its service levels, enhance efficiency through sourcing parts from global supply chains and rapid logistics fulfillment, and it signals GSF’s position as “a formidable national player in the automotive parts industry”.
Sukhpal Ahluwalia, executive chairman of GSF Car Parts, said: “From day one, we knew that we needed a new NDC to support our ambitious growth plans. Today, less than a year after acquiring GSF Car Parts, we have got that done. The speed with which we have managed to complete this important step is validation of the amazing team that we have at GSF. They are really the very best in the business.”
Ahluwalia (pictured) has experience of scaling up a parts distribution operation, having founded and grown Euro Car Parts to a nationwide operation before selling that business for £280 million to LKQ in 2011.
Until the NDC’s opening GSF has been reliant on direct-from-supplier deliveries.
He said the new NDC for GSF Car Parts “is a truly world-class facility that is strategically located to deliver on our ambitions”.
It is the latest development in a period of rapid growth for the car parts distributor, which now has more than 185 branches and 3,000 employees across the country.
Ahluwalia added: “I cannot wait to see the new NDC up and running. It’ll deliver on our goal of ensuring that we’re delivering the very best service to our customers: more products, better availability, and getting our products into branches at breakneck speeds. This is the next step in our journey from a large multi-regional business to a truly national player.”
Located in Wolverhampton, the logistics hub provides almost 500,000sq ft of warehouse space, expandable to 750,000sq ft through a mezzanine floor, plus brings together office space, truck loading bays and nearly 700 parking spaces for cars and HGVs.
The company said the new NDC is equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure that 96% of GSF stock is delivered overnight to branches, improving availability and reducing administrative burdens.
And it includes facilities for product returns and warranty processes, to enhance GSF’s service delivery across all areas.
GSF Car Parts chief executive Steve Horne added: “Our new NDC may be the flagship but in truth, it’s only part of a sustained programme of investment in GSF Car Parts that is already transforming all aspects of business operations. Our aim is to rapidly awaken the sleeping giant of the UK aftermarket.
“We’re being shown time and time again how GSF Car Parts’ exceptional branch teams deliver consistently committed customer service to grow business. Our challenge is simple; to ensure they also now get the best tools and resources to go and win more business within what we all know is a competitive market.
“Where garages have a choice, we want them to willingly choose to place more of their business with GSF Car Parts.”