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[September 2002]
Royal Opening for Wedgwood Processing Centre
HRH The Duke of Kent is to officially open Wedgwood's new Global Processing Centre (GPC) on 7 October 2002. More than £8 million has so far been spent developing the state-of-the-art distribution facility at Stone in Staffordshire. The GPC now supports Wedgwood's five manufacturing plants in Stoke-on-Trent while also supplying sister warehouses in the USA, Australia, Canada and Japan, servicing European distributors and UK retailers and managing e-commerce and catalogue orders world-wide.
Wedgwood first launched the mammoth GPC project in 1997 after years of research into high technology distribution. The company partnered world-wide logistics player Ryder to develop, build and operate the revolutionary complex.
The project has been undertaken in two stages; the first stage encompassing the design, specification and build of the initial 12,535 square metre warehouse and offices, was completed in 2001. Once fully operational, work began on the next stage of the facility expansion, bringing the full capacity of the warehouse up to 21,212 square metres. The warehouse now has the capacity to accommodate more than 8 million items, with an annual throughput expected to be approximately 30 million pieces.
Wedgwood Group Manufacturing and Supply Director Michael Wilcock said: "We are honoured to have HRH The Duke of Kent attend and mark this prestigious event. His ongoing support and commitment to British industry is integral in the export success of many UK businesses.
"Many people from Wedgwood and Ryder have worked long and hard to make our vision, and our commitment to manufacturing in Stoke-on-Trent, a reality. I am pleased that their hard work and ongoing commitment to Wedgwood's goals is being recognised in such a way and by such a revered industry figurehead."
ENDS