Professional Builders Merchant

A highly versatile Integrated Racking System from storage specialist Polypal is at the heart of the latest trade outlet opened by Stax. The new facility — in Leith, Edinburgh — is the wholesale trade supplier’s first Trade Centre in Scotland and is designed to offer an easily accessible, flexible facility to accommodate a wide choice of products ranging from tools and hardware to building materials and plumbing equipment.

The premises include some 25,000 sq.ft. of sales and storage space with over 240 selling bays that comprise a combination of display areas and replenishment stockholding, all provided by the Polypal system. The location of the building offered the ideal opportunity to move into the ‘cash & carry’ sector in Scotland, being alongside the separate, well-established D F Wishart delivered wholesale outlet which is also now owned and operated by Stax and, itself, a key focus for investment by the company.

Throughout, the optimum use of the available space has been a key priority — a requirement that is being fully met by Polypal’s Stockpal design as Nigel Wright, Stax Operations Director, explained: “Working closely with Polypal’s designers, we opted for a standard bay width of 2.67 metres with an overall height of 6 metres. Each bay consists of a ‘Merchandising Window’ to a height of 2.3 metres and either one or two storage levels above in each case.

“The versatility of the Polypal concept means that we can easily reconfigure each bay to suit the changing needs of specific ranges — from Integrated Gondola bays for multi-product displays to heavier duty bays to accommodate building materials. Additionally, we have dedicated ‘promotional-ends’ built into the layout, which we can readily adapt to support specific sales activity.”

Back-to-back and perimeter bays are also now installed at the site arranged across six aisles, each some 20 bays in length. A central access aisle eases movement around the premises for forklift trucks — the specification of which was also a key area where Polypal’s extensive experience in the industry was provided. “Additionally, the company was able to work closely with our electrical contractor, Connect2, to ensure the optimum choice of both bay and point-of-sale lighting was made,” adds Nigel.

“The Polypal Integrated System is well regarded for its excellent versatility, the ease with which it can be adjusted, and its simplicity — the entire system is built around clip-in components,” continues John Drake, Business Development Manager at Polypal.

The layout and bay design results in a highly flexible system that Stax can readily reconfigure to suit their changing requirements with the benefit of bulk storage above to simplify stock replenishment within the lower display area. The system is also well proven, having been installed in leading builders’ merchants, major DIY stores and cash & carry stores throughout the UK and Europe.

Well established throughout England, the project represents the latest in an ongoing success story for the Stax organisation. Although the smallest of its outlets to date, the decision to locate in the Scottish capital represents an important development for the company and one that is designed to focus on specific product ranges to match anticipated customer needs in the area. These will gain from the ability to access some 20,000 Stax product lines from around 600 suppliers — a breadth of choice that underpins the success of the organisation. 

“Stax is clearly a major supplier in its field and one which is taking an innovative approach to developing its business platform and grow further in the future,” adds John Drake.  “The installation — the latest in a series of Stax projects with which we have been involved — reflects on the quality of our product designs and also, importantly, their versatility. This is a significant step forward for the company and one to which we are delighted to have contributed.”

On its website, Stax recently reported a highly successful first six months of trading at its new facility. Branch Manager Steven Brady commented: “We’ve seen steady growth after a low key opening here in Edinburgh, and we’re now on target to meet the ambitious budget we set prior to opening. Our low price kitchen and bathroom range has been a real hit with our customers who have visited the purpose built showroom in their masses.”

With numerous initiatives available for the trade — such as unbranded brochures customers can use as their own, a generous trade rebate scheme and genuine trade only prices — Stax claims it is quickly becoming a staple supplier to builders and tradesmen across in the city. Group Chairman Eddie Brady said: “Being Edinburgh born and bred, bringing Stax back to my home city has been a long standing ambition. I’m thrilled to see the branch is attracting new customers on a weekly basis — and as a result we’re continually adapting the range to suit our customers.”

8th August 2012

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» Visit the Polypal website at www.polypal.co.uk/

» Visit the Stax website at www.staxtradecentres.co.uk/