Wickes upgrades as home deliveries take off

DIY retailer Wickes Building Supplies has upgraded its forecasting and replenishment systems to support its growing home delivery business.

An expansion from 130 to 171 shops in the past three years, and increased demand in showroom-display stock such as kitchens and bathrooms, has caused Wickes to reorganise the management of deliveries between warehouses and stores.

'We're a value-for-money retailer and that translates through to IT, where we have to see hard payback from any new system based on reductions of the amount of stock we hold and re-deliveries,' Wickes IT director Keith Riley told Computing.

'It's all about getting it right first time.'

Wickes is using software from supply chain specialist Manugistics, and expects to recoup its investment in 21 months, while also maximising the efficiency of its supply chain operations.

Riley says Wickes has completed the implementation of a home delivery fulfilment system, and upgraded in-store and warehouse replenishment and forecasting software.

He says early indications are good. 'We've lowered stock deliveries, and we're particularly proud of the speed with which we've done this,' he said.

'Manugistics managed the implementation according to its proven methodology, but we also changed our business processes to what the package could supply. We've been able to keep up with the speed of growth and customer demand.'

The software was installed on a standard, Oracle-based technology infrastructure, which Riley says allowed Wickes to quickly realise technology benefits.

Wickes distribution director Steve Horne added: 'Making sure the products customers want are on the shelf is an imperative for our company.

'The system is already delivering benefits, with the delivery of the project in just over three months and within budget.'