Frequently Asked Questions about storage at Storage Peterborough
Why should I use a contract warehouse to store my goods?
Contract warehouses like Storage Peterborough allow for normal business expansion and contraction in the most flexible, cost efficient way. The alternative is expensive short term leases or risky purchases of commercial property. A contract warehouse already has the infrastructure and systems in place to ensure your property is safely stored.
Why use a serviced contract warehouse?
It is possible to rent contract warehouse space for a short term without any service input. This normally means that the customer has to provide all the infrastructure to support the operation, such as staff, equipment, racking, materials handling, etc - all factors that are expensive for a company to buy in and dispose of as their business needs change. These costs are often overlooked and can be substantial when compared to serviced contract warehouse space.
How do you charge for storage?
Normally storage is charged per pallet per week or any part thereof. This allows the customer to utilise Big Web Warehouse to suit their needs, from 100+ pallets when they are busy to less than 30 in quieter periods. The space the customer pays for grows and shrinks to suit the current needs and this is where the savings are made because a company with no ability to flow into and out of space will always be paying for unused floor space.
What about picking and packing?
Storage Peterborough staff perform all the tasks that a company would normally expect of warehouse and logistics personnel. Customers can send orders via email or EDI and even have an in-house system on site if desired. The stock can be picked, pallets consolidated and items shipped in exactly the same way as if handled in-house. The difference is that peaks and troughs are eliminated so that staff levels can be maintained at an efficient level. Again, this can lead to substantial savings for clients as they will not have to pay for underemployed staff.
How do I tell how much space is needed?
Often a client will ask for pricing based on an allocation of square feet within a warehouse because it is difficult to tell how much actual space is needed. Storage Peterborough will work with the customer to identify the actual breakdown based on the number of pallets and the space needed to pick and pack and bulk store larger non-racked items. It is rare to rent a set number of square feet because a warehouse layout is not fixed and the space changes daily.
How do you trace stock lines?
The entire Storage Peterborough system is based on the same bar code technology as used by the larger supermarkets and distributors. The system identifies where every pallet is and can drill down to mixed items of stock on a pallet. The stock itself can be bar coded so an individual stock control system can be introduced to control its movements.
The stock control database can be interrogated via the Internet and the client can make instructions and issue orders online.
I want to export and sell into the UK but do not have a warehouse, what do I need to do?
All exporters to the UK must have a UK VAT registered company or forwarding agency to process the documentation on arrival to the UK. This enables the goods to clear HM Customs and account for Duties and Input VAT.
If a foreign company wants to sell products to customers in the UK but does not want to operate through an agent, it will have to set up a UK sales and administration company, obtain a VAT number and open a bank account. Once these are in place, goods can be shipped to Big Web Warehouse who will look after incoming stock, picking, packing, storage, shipping, returns and stock control. All the local team of the company need do is sell the goods and collect the payments. Big Web Warehouse even has presentation rooms available for customers to meet clients.
Where a product range is suitable, Big Web Warehouse Ltd may be able to act as importer and resell either via the Big Web Warehouse Web Shop or to trade customers in the UK on behalf of the exporter. In effect buying the goods and reselling as if Big Web is the UK distributor of the product. To find out more about this service click here.
How long does it take from contacting Storage Peterborough to the first delivery?
Storage Peterborough can move very quickly and recognises the urgency of some situations. This is particularly the case where a plan goes wrong. For example, a consignment may be turned away by a customer and must be stored whilst the deal is set back up or a disaster may strike and space allocated to a project may not be available. Storage Peterborough understands that being part of a client's supply chain requires great flexibility. We have many examples of 'saving the day'. So in summary, the first delivery could take place within hours of the final negotiation.
What about contracts?
Storage Peterborough (Big Web Warehouse Ltd) abides by and operates to the UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) standard in its terms and conditions of contract (click here to download pdf). However, as an owner managed business, we have the flexibility to be able to apply common sense to most situations. Our overriding principle is to make sure that a client and their customers are satisfied and we will always go the extra mile to achieve this aim.
What can go wrong?
Storage Peterborough systems work well because where possible, we keep human input and therefore, error, to a minimum. However, mistakes can happen and we believe that it is how those mistakes are put right that makes a business work. At the client end, it is important to ensure that transactions and activities run to plan as problems can occur if, for example, incorrectly or non-labelled stock arrives at the warehouse or it is not to description. It is as important for a contract warehouse to receive good data as it is for an in-company warehouse. Whatever the situation, Big Web Warehouse likes to work as a team with its clients to eradicate problems as they occur.
Is there any minimum number of pallets?
No. From one pallet for one week to 1000 pallets for two years, our task is to accommodate your needs and provide a good quality service to support your business.
Do you have a haulage or transport arm?
Storage Peterborough is not a haulage contractor with some warehouse space. We are a provider of secure warehousing to store and process goods. We work with most national haulage companies and carriers but are not tied or reliant on any one of them. This means you can arrange the type of haulage and post-storage carrier most suited to your needs. After all, your customers don't want a 40 ton lorry turning up to deliver a parcel!
Does my stock have to be on a pallet?
No. Storage Peterborough has floor level storage space that can be used for items that cannot be lifted onto racking. We also have storage areas for small parts and products that are composed of several components of various types.
What about containerised stock?
Storage Peterborough will unload containers onto pallets, check the stock and locate it. At the same time the shipping documents can be checked and approved. Clients are welcome to be on site at the time of delivery to ensure that the goods comply with the order.
What happens if I want to pull out quickly?
Provided the customer's account is up to date, all goods can be removed at very short notice. It is ideal to have some notice as the goods have to be retrieved from their locations and made ready.
Are my goods insured?
Contract warehouses do not insure for the value of the goods held in store. There are many reasons for this including the difficulty in accurately valuing the stock on its premises. Normally, the client informs their insurers that stock is being held off-site with a third party storage contractor and the insurer extends cover on the stock at its new location. The insurance company may visit to satisfy themselves that the stock is being cared for securely and safely and Storage Peterborough has robust security systems in place to ensure that third party goods remain untouched. Storage Peterborough, in line with other contract warehouses, limits insurance liability to £100 per tonne.
What about very valuable stock?
It is vital to disclose fully the contents of the pallets so that adequate precautions can be taken. By any measure, a pallet of DVD players is more valuable than a pallet of redundant envelopes, so we need to allocate locations that will suit the goods concerned to provide you with maximum peace of mind.
Does Storage Peterborough store domestic furniture?
No. Storage Peterborough is a commercial warehouse for industry and commerce. We do not offer services to consumers. However, if an existing commercial customer has a problem, we can usually help out with any sort of storage.
What are the hours of business?
Storage Peterborough storage centres are open for deliveries between 08.30 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays. By arrangement, we can usually accommodate any request for an out-of-hours delivery, particularly in a genuine emergency.
Do haulage companies have to book in?
This depends on the likely unloading or loading time. A single pallet does not require to be booked in but it is advisable to check with your Storage Peterborough contact. Full loads or containers that have to be stripped do need to be booked in as labour has to be allocated to the job. In this way, we can ensure your HGV drivers are back on the road as soon as possible.
What 'extras' do you charge for?
Storage Peterborough will not, wherever possible, charge for 'extras'. The cost of broken pallet replacement, waste disposal, labels and other small items are included in the weekly storage charge. This is because the administration cost of counting these items is often more expensive than the actual items themselves. Where a contract requires regular supplies of pallets (because the goods arrive bulk in a container) and considerable waste is generated, costs will be itemised and agreed at the beginning of the contract and added to the storage charge.
How do you work out the charges for Pick and Pack?
Storage Peterborough charges an hourly rate that will take into account all the costs, including administration, co-ordination with carriers, and movements to and from the stock locations. These costs are averaged over the number of picks and a price per pick is calculated and agreed with the client. This price is then 'tested' for a set period, i.e. three months, and if necessary reviewed. Storage Peterborough aims to include all costs in the pick and pack so that the charges are clear and unambiguous. In addition, we do not charge for administration, stock control, account management and a host of other 'extras'. Pallets of packaging that are supplied by the customer are charged at an agreed storage rate.
Will I be allowed to pick from my pallets myself?
Yes, but full documentation and authorisation will be needed before you are able to remove items from a pallet. There are also Health and Safety guidelines to comply with and as the pallet must be taken to a safe area for your processing, notice should be given.
How can I stock-take my stored products?
Ideally, the customer should occasionally check the data contained in their stock control database as part of a stock control audit, i.e. a pallet should be selected for a physical check against the stock control data. Where the entire stock must be checked, this may lead to an additional charge as the stock will need to be presented for physical checking by the auditor and this may involve allocation of manpower. Storage Peterborough will always assist wherever possible.
