Cooke & Arkwright
News
Owens expands just in time
29/09/09
Owens Road Services has leased almost 90,000 sq ft at Reevesland Industrial Estate, Newport, where it will operate a regional distribution centre, warehouse facility and a vehicle service workshop. The company will operate a Just-in-time (JiT) facility from the warehouse in partnership with Ball Packaging Europe, one of the world’s largest producers of metal and plastic containers for the beverage and food industry, as part of the supply network for a major brewery.
Cooke & Arkwright represented the landlord, Threadneedle Property Investments Limited and Terry Knipe & Associates represented Owens Road Services in the deal.
Terry Knipe said, “Owens has had a transport yard in the region for the last three years. However, due to the continued growth of the company we had been searching for additional, suitably large warehouse accommodation with good access to the road network, which is vital to the operation due to ever increasing fuel costs. These premises fitted all the requirements.”
The new premises takes the total warehouse space that Owens has in South Wales to more than 750,000 sq ft. The site became available after the previous occupier, Interbrew consolidated its operation to Magor. Jeremy Symons of Cooke & Arkwright said, “In the past 12 months we have completed two transactions within the building: renewing the lease to Hasbro and the new occupation by Owens. The flexibility of the building and its proximity to the M4 network were the primary drivers. Our client is pleased with the result, which means there has been no break in occupation during this difficult economic period.”
Owens’ managing director, Huw Owen revealed that further opportunities for expansion were currently being considered, although there were constrictions. “We are bucking the recession through sheer hard work and efficient management of the business,” he said. “However, fuel taxation continues to create many problems and restricts the expansion programme which we would like to implement. In the past year alone duty on fuel has cost the company £550,000.”
Newport is the first warehouse in Wales where Owens has implemented the JiT process. Mr Owen pointed out that this had been customer-led and demonstrated that the company moved with the times by recognising, and responding to, customer requirements. “It is hoped that this will attract further business to the company,” he said. “JiT can provide a cost effective solution to businesses, particularly during the recession, because they can get delivery as and when goods are needed rather than having to stockpile in advance, which in turn brings space saving benefits.”
First established in Llanelli in 1970 by brothers Huw and Eurof Owen, the company now employs over 500 people in Wales and operates a fleet in excess of 350 vehicles delivering everything from a pallet to 28 tonne industrial loads across the UK and Europe. Customers include Tata Steel, Amazon and major supermarkets.
Pictured l to r: Eurof Owen, Huw Owen, Owens Road Services; Terry Knipe, Terry Knipe & Associates; Oliver Jones, Owens Road Services; Jeremy Symons, Cooke & Arkwright.