iforce helps Fortnum & Mason to increase tea packing efficiency

As a part of its commitment to providing niche, value-added services to its customers, iForce, the fulfilment and returns specialist, has helped Fortnum & Mason to increase the efficiency of its tea packing process by managing a dedicated chamber within the retailer's warehouse in Sutton.

Previously, Fortnum & Mason employees were measuring and packing 125g and 250g bags of tea on location at its London-based outlets in Piccadilly, St Pancras and Heathrow Terminal 5. Now the retailer has moved this process to its distribution centre, where iForce has provided a range of multi-channel services since August 2012, including direct to customer distribution, building and despatching the retailer's iconic hampers, managing the stock replenishment of its stores, and overseeing international wholesaler distribution. By relocating the operation to the Sutton warehouse, Fortnum & Mason is allowing its retail staff to solely concentrate on customer service and sales.

The specifically built chamber includes an innovative ventilation system, which extracts dust particles so the quality of the tea is not jeopardised. In addition, an internal double door system was installed to avoid unnecessary air contamination. Dedicated members of the team have been using the room to pack 40 varieties of tea into two different size bags.

Atty Hussein, Director of Logistics, Fortnum & Mason, said: "By moving our tea packing operations to our distribution facility in Sutton we will be able to achieve significant time and cost savings. We have been partnered with iForce for more than two years and the company's flexibility has allowed us to become more efficient across our day-to-day operations. iForce's extensive experience meant that the relocation was a very smooth procedure."

Brian Gaunt, CEO of iForce, said: "We are constantly looking for ways to assist our customers enhance their supply chain efficiency whilst enhancing the high level of service expectation demanded by a marque brand like Fortnum and Mason. It points to the strong partnership approach that we have developed that our client continues to look to build the services that we are providing for them. "