St Austell invests in new distribution centre

St Austell has announced plans for a new regional distribution centre in Cornwall to supply its 2,000 pub, club and hotel accounts.

The purpose built warehouse and distribution centre in St Columb Major Business Park will replace existing depots in Bude, Newquay, Redruth and St Austell and double the floor space currently available.

The re-location process will be phased in over nine months starting in November. The move also has a number of environmental benefits such as reducing the traffic through St Austell itself and the use of a computerised route planning system to help cut road miles.

"The new regional distribution centre is modern, spacious and well designed, providing excellent working conditions and staff facilities to help us serve our customers more effectively and efficiently," said managing director James Staughton.

"It will enable us to further improve our service standards, reduce overheads in what is a highly competitive market and ensure we maintain our position as the best wholesale supplier in the region."

He added: "The St Austell Brewery site will remain the headquarters for the business and will continue to be where we brew our beers. Indeed, opening the new regional distribution centre at St Columb releases much-needed space to continue developing the brewing department in St Austell in the coming years."