In order to accommodate the growth of its European business,
Yankee Candle has relocated to new European headquarters, in
Cabot Park, Avonmouth. The new location is just a few miles from
the former Yankee Candle Europe offices in Bradley Stoke near
Bristol.
Set in eight acres, the new premises comprises increased
warehouse facilities, state-of-the-art offices, 150 car parking
spaces, space for 30 HGV lorries and 16 loading bays all spanning
more than 165,000 square-feet. Read more here…
To coincide with the move, Yankee Candle Europe is investing in a
new integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and a
new warehouse management system.
Founded in 1969 and based in South Deerfield, Massachusetts,
Yankee Candle generated global sales of $785.8 million (£485
million) in the year ended 31st December. Retail sales
represented more than half of that figure, ($449.2 million), a
rise of 5.4 percent over the prior year. EBITDA was $193.2
million (£119 million). International sales were $101.3
million (£62.4 million), an increase of $26.5 million over
the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by increased
sales in the UK wholesale business and in its “store within
a store” concession channel.
To support the 35 percent year-on-year growth, the new
headquarters will not only allow Yankee Candle to scale up its
European operations, but also provide first-class facilities to
improve the service to customers and an enhanced working
environment for staff.
Opened on the 6th June, the increased warehouse facilities enable
higher levels of stock to be held on-site and increased volume of
orders to be despatched for retail outlets, export customers and
a growing online business. The move also enables the company to
avoid the additional cost of off-site storage.
Having installed the original highly customised “flexible
zone” pick-to-light system in the previous building, to
improve picking efficiency and reduce picking errors, SSI
Schaefer was contracted back to extend the system to accommodate
the new warehouse and increased distribution at the new
site.
The extended automated system, which includes additional
sortation capability and a new automated full-case picking area,
enables Yankee Candle Europe to continue increasing its
throughput efficiency of the picking operation and accommodate
with ease future requirements of its growing ecommerce
business.
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