Everything in its place in this warehouse

Press, 5 August 1985, Page 32

Everything in its place in this warehouse

The head storeman of a county council (which had better remain nameless) carried in his head an encyclopaedic knowledge of his goods, so the legend goes. To anyone else the heap of fittings, tools and fasteners in the middle of the store was a mess. But a lifetime of experience gave this redoubtable gentleman the ability to put his hand on the required item immediately. After his retirement, the sorting of “the heap” was almost an archaeological

labour. Somewhere near the bottom a bountiful supply of horse shoes was revealed — and the council hadn’t owned a horse in 40 years. There aren’t any horse shoes in Mr Gerry van der Krogt’s warehouse, although there are probably plenty of innovative fasteners to attach them to the hoof with. Mr van der Krogt has'

been with Nuts and Bolts and Screws for seven years, four of them at Falsgrave Street. It is the responsibility of him and his staff to check all inward goods against packing slips and then consign them to their correct racks or bins. They must also, of course, serve customers at the store counter and fulfil bulk orders.

Quick, efficient service is the payoff from staff expertise and a readily accessible storage system. With over 8000 separate items in stock — not including different sizes — organisation is vital. At Nuts and Bolts and Screws the computer has already identified the correct placement of goods using a number and letter coding for racks and shelves. Old hands know where 99 per cent of goods belong anyway, says Mr van der Krogt, but the codings make sure, and also make staff training easy. "We’ve simplified the system as much as we possibly could,” he says.