Asda awards Swisslog with IDC maintenance contract
Wal-Mart subsidiary, Asda, has awarded Swisslog’s UK business with a major maintenance and support contract for one of its flagship depots, the Integrated Distribution Centre (IDC) in Lutterworth.
The contract, for an initial three year term, will see the transfer of several teams of colleagues added to Swisslog’s Customer Service team. Asda’s IDC is home to the UK’s largest automated AutoStore installation and Swisslog will now provide planned preventive, corrective and operational maintenance and support for the entire facility. Software, controls and remote support are also included in the contract, together with the supply and management of replacement parts.
Ant Everett, head of engineering & capacity planning for Asda Logistics Services, says: “We have been working with Swisslog for a couple of years in the IDC, and together we have developed some very innovative engineering solutions to increase site capacity and to improve our service to Customers. Asda’s decision to utilise Swisslog’s expertise to maintain and support this operation is a natural progression for this partnership.”
Swisslog UK’s managing director, James Sharples, believes the order is testament to the company’s strong customer support ethos and in line with a strategy to expand its service and support business.
He adds: “The contract is great news as it not only strengthens our relationship with one of the UK’s leading businesses, but also our position as a provider of intralogistics solutions for the retail industry. We’re delighted to be adding to our team and we look forward to providing Asda Logistics Services with a reliable, efficient operation.”
Part of the Wal-Mart group, the world’s largest retail chain, Asda is the second largest supermarket chain in the UK with over 550 stores.
