New 54,000 sq ft site in Bedford hoped to generate more than £10m for wholesaler.
The unit, which is situated on the Elms Farm Industrial Estate employs 15 staff and stocks around 17,000 product lines.

Managing director Martin Elliott told DIY Week that he expects the new distribution centre to generate a higher turnover than the £10m its warehouse in Barnstaple, Devon already brings in.

The dealer-owned wholesaler has implemented an efficient system at its new Bedford site whereby each product line has its own individual code and everything above head height acts as storage space to make it easier for workers to fill orders. The warehouse also has 'intensive bins', which include around 8,000 popular lines to save 'pickers' scanning the entire warehouse for regularly ordered items.

The warehouse was officially opened by Councillor Nicky Attenborough, deputy Mayor of Bedford on October 2, accompanied by a small trade show at the site.
Mr Elliott said that the industry has had a 'tough summer', although that the weather was more to blame than the credit crunch.

However, Home Hardware had a successful trade show two weeks previous and Mr Elliott believes that retailers are starting to stock up again. Member numbers are also increasing, which he is pleased about. "Since April we have signed up 58 new members. I find that when business is tough it tends to generate more enquiries."