Miniclipper seeks more space after fresh contract wins

Miniclipper Logistics has confirmed it is looking for another new storage facility, after a 5,000 pallet warehouse it opened just before Christmas at Houghton Regis was filled almost immediately.

The opening of the 55,000ft² Houghton Regis site (pictured) in December coincided with two fresh contracts from the DIY and construction sector, said Miniclipper sales director Jayne Masters.

One was awarded at the time by building materials supplier Travis Perkins for storage of around 2,000 pallets for at least 12 months; the other is a million pound, three-year deal just being finalised with a DIY hardware customer for a further 3,000 pallets.

Masters said the firm was now looking for another 50,000-100,000ft² site with capacity for at least another 5,000 pallets in the Milton Keynes/Leighton Buzzard area or even in Birmingham.

Storage related enquiries are currently outstripping transport enquiries by a ratio of five to one, she said.

The Houghton Regis site joins three existing warehouses to provide a total storage capacity of 25,000 pallets and will create up to 20 new jobs.

The new site and new contracts should also contribute towards a substantial rise in turnover in the financial year to the end of May, said Masters.

“We could be getting on towards 15-18% growth by then, from around £10m turnover to around £11.5m,” she predicted.