Midlands-based flooring manufacturer and retail firm Factory Direct Flooring (FDF) has invested in a new, purpose-built warehouse as the firm gears up for another record year, after high demand drove unprecedented sales last year. Compared with 2019, the firm achieved 35 per cent growth in transactions in 2020 – a record growth year which looks to be exceeded in 2021 as transactions are already up by 30 per cent compared with the same period.
The move to the new 20,000 sq ft warehouse – which is nearly 40 per cent bigger than its former main unit and will facilitate a 50 per cent increase in stock holding – has also created new jobs, as the company has increased its workforce by 25 per cent. Having more space gives the firm bulk buying power, which will result in cheaper prices for customers. Additionally, customers will also enjoy a 50 per cent reduction in delivery fees due to efficiencies created in the consolidation of FDF’s operations, with transport between units negated. They will also benefit from faster delivery as a result of the state-of-the-art racking. This makes stock more accessible and dispatch will be accelerated by 24 hours or more.
In line with the growing popularity of collection services, FDF is also launching a purpose-built click and collect facility at the warehouse, located at Hemdale Industrial Park, Nuneaton, with easy access and a large car park for loading. This offering will be available from May.
Factory Direct Flooring founder and managing director, Paul Hambidge, explained: “We are committed to listening to what our customers want and need, and to evolving the firm in line with consumer and market innovations. While 2020 was of course a key driver for sales as many people directed their income from things like holidays to home improvements, we were already ahead of the curve. We had identified the significant growth in LVT, and particularly DIY products, over alternatives such as laminate or engineered wood options, and catering accordingly.
“The efficiencies we’ve created will ensure that customers can access the flooring product they need, when they need it, and in the quantity they require – all while benefiting from lower prices. This warehouse purchase is an exciting development which is enabling us to really ramp-up our capabilities and take the business to the next level. Not only has our square footage increased significantly, but our racking height has doubled, so the increase in capacity is immense and we are also significantly reducing our environmental impact with these efficiencies.“
FDF identified an increase in consumer demand for easy and fast to install products as the pandemic took hold, and now stocks a high volume of DIY ranges. With luxury vinyl tile (LVT) products soaring in popularity, FDF also stocks a wide range of these products, including its own Aqua Plank range – the UK’s first engineered LVT flooring, which flew off the shelves in 2020.
FDF has fast become a market leader in flooring supplies since its inception in 2008, thanks to its model of working closely with manufacturers to remove the ‘middleman’ and bring products direct to customers at competitive prices – all underpinned by exceptional service. The company supplies wood, vinyl, including LVT, and laminate flooring to retailers, commercial sites and residential customers throughout the UK, from its wide selection.
For more details, visit www.factory-direct-flooring.co.uk.