Suez Canal delays force company to seek larger warehouse

By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

Aquatix-2U has submitted proposals for an additional 600 ft2 warehouse at its Glebe Farm site in Copdock  near Ipswich.

In its planning statement the company described itself as supplying and distribution a range of pet and garden and outdoor products sourced from all over the world as well as the UK, with non branded goods being imported mainly from the Far East.

Goods are stored and sent to customers who mainly purchase through Amazon and EBay. Due to the requirements of Amazon, the site operates every day of the week.

Aquatix stated in the report: “With many of the products sold from Glebe Farm coming from the Far East, delays due to the closure of the Suez Canal over the last two years have meant that deliveries are taking much longer, rising from approximately 45 to 50 days from order to 70 days.

“This has affected the operation of the business, in particular with the continuity of supply, as well as being more expensive to import.

“With the range of products continuing to be expanded it is proposed to import in greater quantities which will assist with the viability of the business as well as helping to ensure products are available for supply.

Currently there are 20 full time workers rising to 26 in busy periods – the increase  in capacity will add a further two employees full time rising to 30 in peak periods.

While the property is not the largest reported on by Logistics Matters, the sentiment behind building supply chain resilience in the light of geopolitical events is increasingly universal and with Tarriffs and trade wars still  looming will no doubt  result in further demands for storage space.