Your perfect partner for contract packing, fulfilment, storage, direct mail and distribution

t: 01283 569269    e: sales@pickitandpackit.co.uk

Pick-it and Pack-it

News

>February 2010 - NEW START                                      

Despite the exceptional winter weather we have seen a dramatic upturn in our business at the start of the New Year.Read more>>>

>November 2009 - DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF PACKS

The Christmas Gift Packing season is now coming to an end. We have doubled the number of packs this year whilst successfully running evening shifts to ensure our blue chip clients receive their products on time.Read more>>>

>JUNE 2009  - Increased Contract Packing 

We are pleased that our main clients have all increased their contract packing orders with us for their gift pack operations.Read more>>>

> April 2009 - EXCITING NEW CLIENT FOR PICKIT AND PACKIT…. 

SPROGBOX is a fast growing on line supplier of gifts celebrating the arrival of a new family member. Read more>>>

 >February 2009 -Enhanced Service from Pickit and Packit.  

The need for OUTSOURCING in the consumer supply chain has increased considerably since the start of the downturn. Read more>>>

>January 2009 - New Year Starts Well

The New Year has started well for Pickit and Packit.  One major client has retained us to handle holiday brochures for a number of significant holiday companies.Read more>>>

>December 2008 - HAPPY CHRISTMAS

We wish all our readers and clients a Happy Christmas, and especially a Successful 2009.

>November 2008 - KEEPING POSITIVE

>October 2008 -A GREAT SUCCESS

 > June 2008 - EXTRA OUTSOURCING OPPORTUNITIES

 Taking advantage of our many contacts in the Far East, Pickit and Packit  directors have added extra services to their customer offer. Read more >>>

> May 2008 - EXTRA OUTSOURCING OPPORTUNITIES

Taking advantage of our considerable contacts in the Far East, Pickit and Packit directors have decided to add extra services to their customer offer. Read more >>>

> April 2008 - APPROVAL FROM BOOTS

We are delighted to announce that this month Pickit and Packit it have become an approved supplier to Boots PLC. Read more >>>
 

> March 2008 - WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.
At Pick-it and Pack-it we take our social responsibilities very seriously, and our current theme is helping the children in Chernobyl. Read more >>>
 

> 28/02/2008 - NEW SPECIALIST STOCK CONTROLLER
To accommodate more clients with warehousing services we have appointed Angus Smith as a specialist stock controller. Read more >>>
 

> 22/01/2008 - GOOD THINGS COME IN TWOS! 
As we strengthen our management team, we are delighted to be joined by two very experienced managers. Read more >>>
 

> 29/10/2007 - HOW GREEN WE ARE!
Tons of surplus cardboard and plastic materials are now destine for recycling thanks to The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory’s investment in a new Swedish waste baler. Read more >>>
 

 
> 16/10/2007 - THE PICK-IT AND PACK-IT FACTORY SHOW WHAT THEY’RE MADE OF
The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory team have been getting around this year and making a positive impression on those looking to outsource fulfilment, contract packing, direct mail or storage. Read more >>> >
 

> 02/07/2007 - PICK-IT AND PACK-IT GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory are going from strength to strength thanks to investment from the company, a committed team and growing customer base. Read more >>>
 

February 2010.

Despite the exceptional winter weather we have seen a dramatic upturn in our business at the start of the New Year. Thanks to our loyal staff who have all tuned up and worked as a team throughout this busy period.

To further develop our customer service concept we have re-organised our warehouse opening times. We can now accept containers from 6 am and the warehouse is operational until 6.30 pm.

Additionally we frequently put on an evening shift for contract packing clients until 8pm..

Overall the new system will lead to a very smooth warehousing operation which will benefit both our fulfilment and contract packing clients.

The World Cup is an important opportunity for our Contract Packing department as we have a well developed system for inflating footballs. We have experience in finishing and loading display units and we anticipate there will be many of these needed for selling 'England Footballs' as the time gets nearer and 'football fever' takes hold.

Meanwhile our directors are looking at various opportunities to increase our warehouse space as the influx of business continues. 2010 promises to be an interesting year.

November 2009.

The Christmas Gift Packing season is now coming to an end. We have doubled the number of packs this year whilst successfully running evening shifts to ensure our blue chip clients receive their products on time.

The expertise we have developed for high quality gift packing has enabled us to take on a further major client this season as we work towards BRC accreditation.

Adding to our portfolio of fulfillment clients has been our main growth objective this year, and has proved very successful. As I write this we are taking in a further 1,250 pallets of household goods for a new client. We have re organised the warehouse to enable every pallet space to be logged onto our IT system – Pickit on Line – giving real time stock information to all clients.

The business section of the local press are interested in the increased employment opportunities which our success is bringing to Burt

on on Trent. We shall be inviting them to visit us once we have cleared the confidentiality issues with each of our clients.

We wish all our readers a Merry Christmas and success in 2010.

JUNE 2009

Increased Contract Packing 

We are pleased that our main clients have all increased their contract packing orders with us for their gift pack operations. We now have contracts to take us to the end of the year, and have had to take an extra 3,000 sq ft of warehouse space to ensure an efficient operation. We are confident that the quality of the work we did last Autumn is the reason for the confidence which our blue chip clients are showing in our management of their work. Our main clients are Boots and Waitrose, but we are currently in discussions to work with another major Blue Chip retailer.

Our fulfilment and storage operations are continuing to progress with yet another new client joining us this month. Our proximity to the central distribution hubs makes us an ideal storage and distribution partner for companies needing quick reaction from their clients.  This important service has grown over the last twelve months and we have recently taken further warehouse space to increase our capacity by 2,000 pallets.  

We look forward to the second half of the year with confidence. We are pleased with the way our clients have reacted to difficult market conditions and that we have been able to help them with our own flexibility

April 2009

EXCITING NEW CLIENT FOR PICKIT AND PACKIT……………….

SPROGBOX is a fast growing on line supplier of gifts celebrating the arrival of a new family member. 

Started by Ruth Thomason and Sarah Littlefair five years ago in their garage, Sprogbox has successfully created a new approach to the market place.

Intrigued by this Jeff Salt, one of our directors, asked Ruth what had made Sprogbox so successful. With a glint in her eye she said “we decided from day one to avoid being ‘Fluffy’.”

Expanding on this Ruth explained that their market place went beyond mother and baby concept to reach out to Dads and the Corporate Market. The ‘cheeky’ name helps to achieve this as well as adding many humorous items to the more traditional gifts in their product range. 

Both Ruth and Sarah have a background in PR, and this became apparent as the importance of being client centred was a big issue in selecting Pickit and Packit to be their fulfilment house. They obviously derive much satisfaction from their success, and have already raised the bar on their objectives. Ruth explained that their time was better spent building the business, leaving the logistical work to a professional fulfilment house. 

In the first few weeks of working with Sprogbox we have been impressed by the volume of orders, and especially the number of celebrities who seem to appreciate their approach to this special occasion. 

We look forward to supporting Sarah and Ruth in their very original approach to a fast developing business. Their exacting standards fit well with the service concept of Pickit and Packit, and we wish them a successful future. 

Their website is www.sprogbox.co.uk

February 2009

Enhanced Service from Pickit and Packit. -Logistics Consultancy. 

The need for OUTSOURCING in the consumer supply chain has increased considerably since the start of the downturn.  The reason is self evident. Companies need to streamline their operations to meet the exacting standards and value for money required by clients.

Pickit and Packit have responded to this market by offering a new service in the form of LOGISTICS CONSULTANCY.  Fundamentally we are offering our complete range of services, but with the difference that we operate on the client’s OWN PREMISES.  Our expertise in efficient warehouse organisation, effective order picking and transportation plus tight stock control is available to client companies.

Following an initial assessment we almost always will identify areas in a client’s operation where efficiency can be enhanced and waste eliminated. Following an initial meeting on client’s premises we will devise and cost out a plan to achieve client’s objectives.  Following agreement the plan can be rolled out using our staff or we will train client staff in our operational efficiency. 

As always our aim is to improve the profitability of client operations.  To explore the idea for your company please contact PAUL LAWSON who will be pleased to discuss the opportunities with your organisation in total confidence.

>January 2009

New Year Starts Well

The New Year has started well for Pickit and Packit.  One major client has retained us to handle holiday brochures for a number of significant holiday companies. The databases involved have been cleaned and mailed with the relevant information. The promotions are already generating excellent responses and we are preparing for a follow-up within the next few weeks. 

In line with our policy of helping new companies to become established in their relevant market places we have several meetings arranged at exhibitions in Earl’s Court this week.  We shall have a presence at Totally Tools and Top Drawer which have been very successful for us in the past. We shall also be at the NEC for The Spring Fair next month. 

We are promoting our Fulfilment and Outsourcing facilities to companies in the USA who are exporting to Europe.  This has been a success for several ‘young’ enterprises during the past year.  The additional services we offer them are the appointment of suitable agents and arranging exhibitions. We shall be visiting the Home and Housewares show in Chicago later this year.

>November 2008

KEEPING POSITIVE 

Despite gloomy news filling the media, Pickit and Packit sales department is reporting a very satisfactory level of enquiries.  Maybe this is something to do with companies seeking to rationalise their operations to reduce overheads and improve balance sheets. It could also be a result of our growing reputation for Outsourcing of Fulfilment, Product Handling, Contract Packing and Database Management. 

Analysing price increases suffered this year, including wages and especially power, we have carefully considered the effect of this on each client. We have made savings through improved efficiency and increased volumes and so increases passed on have been minimal, which has been appreciated by our clients. 

We have just implemented a significant training programme for our warehouse management.  This includes NVQ qualifications in Warehouse and Storage and Traffic Office. Our policy is to include continuous training in the progress of all our key staff.

Overall November has been a good month for the company, and we are currently working on budgets and plans for 2009.  Our warehouses are approaching capacity and we are discussing further facilities in the vicinity so that we can continue to attract new business.

 >October 2008

A GREAT SUCCESS

 > September 2008

GETTING READY FOR THE EXHIBITION.

16^th September sees the opening of the Print for Business exhibition at the NEC where we will be showing on stand P1.  This year the exhibition is in conjunction with The National Incentive Show where we have previously exhibited. Our theme is “OUTSOURCING FOR PROFIT”.  During the current economic climate many companies are seriously considering outsourcing some of their non-core activities.  These include storage, order fulfilment, transport, mailing, promotional packing and any rework or repacking of products. Our four key sales staff will be on the stand where we confidently expect to make many new contacts from various industries.

We are also teaming up with Steve Wright of the Sandler Sales Institute. Steve will be on our stand to offer help and advice to visitors, and to supplement our own sales operation.

Any of our readers wishing to visit us at the NEC will be welcome.  Please call us on 01283 569269 and we will send details and a complementary entrance ticket for both exhibitions.

> May 2008

Extra outsourcing opportunities

Taking advantage of our considerable contacts in the Far East, Pickit and Packit directors have decided to add extra services to their customer offer. In addition to Contract Packing, Storage, Order Fulfilment and Distribution we now offer Product Sourcing. Several of our promotional packing customers have asked us to source specific food products and novelty items. Outsourcing this task to our team has proved to save costs and be very effective.

We have been asked to source items as diverse as bottled water pumps, tea caddies and pre-packed salmon. Outsourcing product procurement fits very well with our contract packing operation, because we de-stuff the containers directly into our warehouse often straight onto the packing lines.

Our clients can now outsource the complete cycle of their operation whilst retaining complete control through ‘Pickit on Line’ software.

> April 2008

This month at Pickit and Packit we are delighted to have become an approved supplier to Boots PLC.  Boots of course require the highest standards throughout the operation, with which we have been able to comply comprehensively. We are looking forward to working with Boots on various projects later this year, and our staff are delighted to respond to this demanding challenge.
 

This month will also see the introduction of CCTV into our control system.  This is not only a helpful management tool, but offers more security where clients have high value product lines in their portfolio.
 

We have also welcomed two further fulfilment clients from the gift industry this month.  This has added to the number of clients who confidently rely on the efficiency of our order pickers and distribution companies. We have been able to prove once again that outsourcing warehousing, storage and order fulfilment can improve the service offered to client’s customers whilst making a valuable reduction to fixed overheads.
 

The separation of our two main facilities (fulfilment and contract packing) is now complete. They each operate under dedicated management and the change is proving very successful.  However, those clients who use both services are still able to deal with their main company contact on a day to day basis.

> March 2008 - WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY.

We at Pickit and Packit take our social responsibilities very seriously, and our current theme is helping the children in Chernobyl. A colleague with a transport company organises a twice yearly trip to this deprived area where the children have a short life expectancy and poor amenities. In the past we have sent clothing, toys and cooking equipment as these were identified as specially needed. For the next trip we are storing 15 pallets of nappies which we hope will improve conditions for some of these families. If any readers of our website have surplus domestic product we would gladly pass on the information and arrange for suitable items to get to Chernobyl on one of trucks going out there.
 

> 28/02/2008 - NEW SPECIALIST STOCK CONTROLLER 
To accommodate more clients with warehousing services we have appointed Angus Smith as a specialist stock controller. Angus comes to us following many years experience in the warehousing industry. This appointment fits in with our policy of providing an ever improving service to our fulfilment clients who are already appreciating his specialist knowledge.

> 22/01/2008 - GOOD THINGS COME IN TWOS!
As we strengthen our management team, we are delighted to be joined by two very experienced managers. Mick Gower has taken control our warehousing operation. Mick comes to us after many years controlling fast moving warehouse operations for blue chip companies. He is overseeing the introduction of our automated stock control system which will offer our clients real time information of all their stock movements. As if that wasn’t enough good fortune for us, we have this week been joined by Andy Waddicor to head up our sales operation. Andy has an enviable history which includes working with such companies as Proctor and Gamble, Boots, Webb Ivory and Marks and Spencer. He will be a great asset to our company and we are looking forward to working with him.
 

> 29/10/2007 - HOW GREEN WE ARE!
 

Each year, The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory Contract Packing department handle tons of surplus cardboard and plastic materials, as consumer products are transferred from bulk shipping boxes into retail packaging. These waste materials could have a detrimental impact on the environment if not disposed of correctly, but thanks to new investment there’s a much greener solution.
 

The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory have recently invested in a heavy duty Swedish waste baler, which will allow tons of waste materials to be condensed and sent for recycling in a cost effective manner.
 

Jeff Salt, Managing Director comments, “We are anxious to play our part to reduce waste in every process throughout the factory. This new investment will contribute substantially to achieving this objective”.
 

The new baler is just one of a number of measures The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory have put in place to make a positive contribution to the environment and to reduce their carbon footprint.
 

> 16/10/2007 – THE PICK-IT AND PACK-IT FACTORY SHOW WHAT THEY ARE MADE OF

The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory have been making an exhibition on themselves this year, attending a large number of trade shows across the UK. Participation at these events is part of the company’s growth strategy, and has given staff the opportunity to showcase the fulfilment and storage facilities of their new premises.
 

Alison Horspool, Sales Manager comments, “Nothing beats meeting potential customers face-to-face and our 2007 events programme has been really successful. We are about to sign contracts with a substantial giftware company and two further food companies. Our expertise in fulfilment and contract packing is now so well recognised that we are opening enquiries from major retailers, which is a great bonus.”
 

The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory have also been carving a name for themselves in the Specialist Food Industry. Their expertise in fulfilment for food production companies is becoming widely recognised and is especially attractive to young manufacturers and distributors who see outsourcing their fulfilment as a way to streamline costs and to allow them to concentrate on marketing.
 

The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory event calendar continues into 2008. Watch this space for further details.
 

> 02/07/2007 - PICK-IT AND PACK-IT GO FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory are going from strength to strength thanks to investment from the company, a committed team and growing customer base.

Back in April The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory completed a move to new premises in Burton-on-Trent and have since expanded further to provide 45,000 sq.ft of warehouse and office space. The new location, which is now fully operational, provides additional capacity for handling materials, storage, assembly and related processes.
 

To join the already committed team supporting this new infrastructure, The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory have recruited two highly experienced people. Vanessa Clarke has taken up the position of Warehouse Manager and Sue Harper joins Sales as Principle Account Liaison.
 

Jeff Salt, Managing Director of The Pick-it and Pack-it Factory comments, “I really must thank my team who worked tirelessly to relocate the company and continue to show their support for growing the business. The direction we have taken and our expertise in fulfilment for young companies in the Specialist Food Industry is becoming widely recognised, with several new clients coming on board in recent months.”
 

Jeff continues; “Our new team members are also making a difference. Vanessa’s knowledge of working with blue chip companies in warehouse management and control is helping to refine our systems, while Sue’s experience of account management brings added knowledge and professionalism to the team.”

Tel: 01283 569269  Fax: 01283 548879  Email: sales@pickitandpackit.co.uk
Registered in England No: 4992771 - Unit 3B, Ryknild Estate, Derby Road, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1RZ.