This year is our 20th anniversary of furniture logistics and storage and we are proud to be celebrating two decades of providing high quality services to some of the best known manufacturers, importers and retailers in the UK and Ireland.
We have developed a full-service logistics provision, taking on all of our customers’ needs in a turnkey approach. This is fast becoming one of our most popular services. We also provide home and retail deliveries, warehousing and storage, routing and planning, plus a wide range of added-value services.
Our managing director, Tim Aspey reflects on the past 20 years serving the furniture industry.
“We launched our furniture division back in 1995 and are proud to say we have not only formed solid partnerships with customers but nurtured them for many years,” he says.
Our furniture logistics provision began with a small amount of deliveries for Cavendish Upholstery, who at the time were based at the same converted mill in Chorley, Lancashire. Soon after, Cavendish asked us to take on all of its retail deliveries - which we still do to this day.
Tim continues: “We are very excited to be celebrating the milestone of our 20th year in furniture logistics and would like to thank our loyal customers for their ongoing support.
“Over the years our focuses have been, and continue to be, on customer service and innovation. We have invested significantly in specialist handling equipment, stock management systems, vehicles and bespoke routing and planning software in order to provide our customers with the smoothest and most professional of services.
“We don’t rest on our laurels and strive to continue to improve our customer offering. As a result of this, we have recently undertaken a warehouse expansion and rolling refurbishment of all our 30 retail delivery wagons and 20 home delivery vehicles to ensure a consistently smart appearance.”
Andrew Porter Limited uniquely has its own in-house training centre where is crews learn to perfect their furniture handling techniques. It includes a mock-house so white glove home delivery crews can negotiate tricky situations to ensure they are fully prepared for the real thing.
The firm’s bespoke delivery routing and planning software, plus an intensive driver training programme, won a host of award nominations for its benefits to the environment. The software ensures journeys and mileage are kept to a minimum, therefore reducing fuel usage, and drivers are trained to use smooth, fuel-saving driving techniques, with the most consistent drivers receiving bonuses each month.
La-Z-Boy UK has been a customer of Andrew Porter Limited for six years. Joint managing director, David Winter, says: “During the time we have worked with Andrew Porter Limited, they have helped to ensure that our provision to customers not only remained consistent during our expansion, but improved where possible. We regularly visit Andrew Porter Limited’s premises and it is clear to see the care and attention to detail that is put into the management of our stock.”
The Andrew Porter Limited team’s efforts were recognised when they won Growing Business of the Year in 2014. This year they are finalists for both ‘Innovation of the Year’ and the ‘International Achievement Award’ in the Red Rose Awards 2015 demonstrating its commitment to innovation and customer service.
Tim adds: “Andrew Porter Limited prides itself on its quality staff. The team work very hard and to high standards and are continuously looking for ways to innovate and improve customer service. It’s apt that a suggested modern gift for a 20th anniversary is platinum because that is the level of service we strive to achieve with each and every customer.”
1973
The company is launched as a home removals and storage firm.
1995
Furniture logistics arm launched, starting with a small number of deliveries for Cavendish Furniture which soon asks the firm to provide all of its retail deliveries.
1996
After being approached by Witham Furniture in Grantham it begins providing white glove home delivery services.
1999
Opening of Porter House, a purpose built head office and storage warehouse in Adlington, Chorley - one of the largest in the north of England.
2001
A mezzanine floor is built at its furniture warehouse, taking total space to 80,000 sq. ft. and 7,500 pallet bays.
2004
Tim Aspey is appointed as managing director.
2004
Begins to develop a specialist turnkey furniture logistics package, offering warehousing, deliveries, planning and additional services. The service is expanded and refined over the years and is now used by a wide range of clients including Perfect Home, HSL and La-Z-Boy UK.
2012
The company invests in a bespoke vehicle routeing and tracking system to minimise fuel wastage and encourage safer driving techniques.
2013
Refurbishes warehouse.
2014
Wins Growing Business of the Year at the Red Rose Awards.
2015
Celebrates its 20th anniversary of furniture logistics and storage and is a finalists for both ‘Innovation of the Year’ and the ‘International Achievement Award’ in the Red Rose Awards 2015.
For more information about any of our services contact the Andrew Porter Limited team today on 0800 389 1222.
