ASOS says Lichfield facility automated by BS Handling Systems is key to growth

Online fashion retailer ASOS issued its trading statement for the final four months of 2022, claiming that, despite a 3% downturn in profit, it is making progress on its Driving Change agenda. ASOS shares spiked following this announcement, rising to its highest value since November 2022.

The Driving Change agenda, announced by ASOS Chief Executive José Antonio Ramos Calamonte in October 2022, outlined four key actions to ‘drive rapid improvement in the company’s operations’. One of these actions, ‘stronger order economics and a lighter cost profile’, sets an objective to optimise use of ASOS’ Lichfield fulfilment centre to eliminate UK split orders.

ASOS tasked BS Handling Systems with automating the 437,000ft² Lichfield facility at the beginning of 2021, a project that it was able to complete in time for Black Friday that same year.

BS Handling systems has worked with ASOS in the past to implement its systems into the retailer’s facilities in Barnsley and Doncaster.

Gary Beveridge, Director of Supply Chain Development for ASOS, said: “Having previously worked with BS Handling Systems on a number of major projects, it was clear that they would be able not only to deliver the right solution, but also to adapt to the inevitable design changes that pop up as a project of this nature progresses.”

He explained: “The first phase of BS Handling Systems’ support provided the major conveyor and despatch sorter elements. Later followed design and installation of additional smaller works including our secure caged area for high value items such as jewellery and belts; a hanging garment storage system that transports inbound goods on hangers (GOH) from goods in up to the top floor of the pick tower, and a conveyor solution to get waste cardboard boxes from all five storage floors of the pick tower out to the waste skips in the yard.”

BS Handling Systems claims that the site has a storage capacity of around seven million units of stock and an outbound capacity of one million units shipped per week.

Source: logisticsmanager.com