The Lightbulb Company

The Lightbulb Company

The Lightbulb Company, a leading online retailer in the UK, is renowned for offering one of the largest selections of lighting products in the country. In 2022, the company relocated from its self-managed 14,000 sqft warehouse in Bicester, Oxfordshire, to a third-party fulfilment facility in Membury, Berkshire. To ensure a smooth and efficient move, The Lightbulb Company entrusted Bishop’s Move with the responsibility.

Project Scope

Bishop’s Move was tasked with relocating the entire stock from the Bicester warehouse to the new Membury facility. The project spanned five days, during which up to 104 pallets (equivalent to four articulated lorry loads) were moved daily by a dedicated team of nine staff. The relocation involved not just transport, but also the provision of forklifts, forklift drivers, articulated vehicles, and packing teams to streamline the process.

During the initial planning meetings, it was determined that stock needed to be moved in the order of best-selling items first, followed by slower-moving stock, bulk items, and packing materials. This method did not align with the current storage setup, so the team had to adapt by using detailed packing lists, conducting a first sweep to cherry-pick the high-priority items, and a second sweep to clear the remaining stock.

Client’s Requirements

The Lightbulb Company required a well-coordinated move that included on-site surveys and planning meetings over three days. The relocation involved picking stock according to detailed packing lists, a five-day move programme with 14-18 staff working daily, and the use of up to four articulated lorries per day during peak times. Packing support was also provided, and the weekend work was scheduled to minimise any disruption to the business.

The Move

– Move Type: Warehouse relocation (14,000 sqft)

– Location: Bicester, Oxfordshire, to Membury, Berkshire

– Number of Phases: One

– Key Concerns: Ensuring stock was labelled and moved in the order of sales priority to support the new picking and packing system at the Membury facility, and safely transporting fragile, high-value light bulbs.

Detailed Project Execution

Bishop’s Move successfully completed the relocation in the five-day timeframe. The project was executed with precision, ensuring that stock was moved in the correct order to align with the new fulfilment system at the Membury facility. Fragile and high-value lighting products were handled with great care to avoid damage. The team used a double-sweep method to ensure all stock was properly picked, packed, and transported in sequence, preventing any stock from being left behind.

Key Achievements

– Efficient Stock Transfer: The stock was transferred in the required order to ensure a smooth transition to the new fulfilment system.

– Minimal Business Disruption: The use of detailed planning and weekend work ensured that The Lightbulb Company’s operations were minimally affected.

– Safe Handling of Fragile Items: The careful handling of high-value, fragile lighting products prevented any damage during the move.

Conclusion

Bishop’s Move’s successful relocation of The Lightbulb Company’s warehouse showcases their expertise in managing large-scale and complex logistics operations. Their  planning and careful handling of fragile goods ensured that The Lightbulb Company transitioned seamlessly to its new facility, allowing the business to continue operations with minimal disruption.