SSO Logistics, a rapidly expanding logistics firm based in Merseyside, has announced a significant £500,000 investment in new facilities and equipment, creating 20 new jobs. The company has opened a 40,000 sq. ft warehouse in Widnes, supplementing its existing operations in St Helens and Haydock, marking a major milestone in its growth.
The new facility, which represents a £200,000 investment, will serve as a key hub for redirecting shipments across several delivery postcodes for the Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track network. The warehouse, with the capacity to hold 4,000 pallets, is expected to improve the efficiency of SSO’s logistics operations, reducing the company’s environmental impact by cutting an estimated 32,000 miles off UK roads annually and saving nearly 24 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
Peter Draper, director of SSO Logistics, explained the benefits of the new site, stating: “Previously, a lot of our work with Pallet-Track involved trunks coming back to our Haydock site. Now, by sending them directly to Widnes, we’ve not only sped up the process but significantly reduced the environmental footprint. It’s a win-win for both business efficiency and sustainability.”
SSO Logistics has also invested £350,000 in new forklift trucks (FLTs), with four EFL252 lithium battery-powered models for the Haydock site and two Calder Flexi FLTs allocated to the new Widnes warehouse. These additions are set to enhance operations further. Draper highlighted the advantages of the new FLTs, particularly the lithium models, which can be charged in just 15 minutes—much quicker than the older lead-acid models, which required an eight-hour full charge and would often run out mid-shift.
The company, accredited by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and serving numerous fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector clients, continues to plan for future growth. Draper indicated that with high interest rates affecting the viability of other warehousing projects, SSO is making strategic moves now to secure space for its customers and prepare for future demands.
In addition to its operational growth, SSO Logistics’ Haydock site was awarded freeport status at the start of 2023, becoming the first customs site operator in Merseyside. Freeport status allows businesses to benefit from suspended tax and customs rules, encouraging international trade. The company hopes that its new Widnes site will be granted freeport status by January 2024.
Draper explained how freeport status benefits SSO and its customers: “For example, one of our clients imports from China and pays no duty on arrival. We manage that process, and only release the duty when the product is sold in the UK. It’s a significant cashflow advantage and offers considerable savings on high-duty goods.”
Lee Chambers, chief commercial officer at Pallet-Track, praised SSO’s rapid growth, stating: “Since joining our network, SSO’s expansion has been impressive. This latest investment reinforces their commitment to growth, and we look forward to continuing our partnership in 2024.”
With this major investment and expansion, SSO Logistics is poised to further establish itself as a key player in the logistics sector, offering both operational and environmental benefits.