Warehouse Systems Limited is cementing its reputation for supplying cost- and space-saving dynamic storage solutions with another successful installation of the ComStore Live Storage system. Regent Cards, the Yorkshire-based greetings card distributor, wanted to increase productivity and storage capacity at its finished goods warehouse and WSL proposed the installation of a live storage operation to achieve this.

The Regent Group specialises in the production of greetings cards, gift wrap and party products, as well as bespoke and stock ranges of envelopes. A successful family business, it has grown rapidly in recent years and employs more than 180 staff at its 100,000 square feet headquarters in Shipley, West Yorkshire. Its existing warehouse operation was increasingly uneconomical, with poor stock rotation and inefficient storage involving long walks between stock locations. The previous system of decked pallet racking meant boxes were stacked one on top of another and order picking was too slow to cope with the increasing demand for products.

Earlier this year Regent decided to investigate ways of improving productivity and storage capacity in its finished goods warehouse, to enable the company to cope with the increase in business expected during 2004. A ComStore live storage system was proposed and subsequently installed. The new system provides tangible benefits: a clearly defined, well-organised pick face, minimal walking time between stock locations and more compact storage overall. The working environment is safer, away from fork trucks and stock replenishment, which now takes place without any disruption to the picking operation.

The order for Regent Cards was completed within five weeks and the installation made in stages, allowing the system to be fully operational and almost full by the time the last shelves were put in place . Neville Proctor of Warehouse Systems Limited comments: “Working closely with the client, we were able to look at their specific requirements and tailor our proposals accordingly. Our experience in installing the ComStore system elsewhere was invaluable, particularly as we needed to put the system in place very quickly to enable Regent to continue to meet its business commitments.”

ComStore’s simple design, based on a system of standardised shelves coupled with the unique ComStore roller tracks, makes it suitable for installation into a wide range of facilities. It can be designed to fit most rack structures and its robust construction and boltless installation make it ideal for heavy usage. Easy adjustment of the roller tracks and dividers allow quick changes to lane widths. The added advantage of flexibility in terms of configuration – the system can be set up as straight beds or with tilt shelf arrangements and comes with a range of accessories – has only added to its many successful implementations. ComStore has been the market leading system in Scandinavia for some years and is well-established in Europe, with household names including Volvo, Nokia and L’Oréal all having successfully installed the system.

Warehouse Systems Limited is fast building a reputation for helping its clients achieve the most cost-effective warehouse and logistics operations and so improve profitability. It can offer bespoke solutions, with systems fitting easily into most existing installations. Warehouse Systems Limited is the major UK distributor of the ComStore live storage system.