BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Wiggle has completed its distribution centre move from Portsmouth to Wolverhampton and officially opened its new multi-million pound distribution centre at the Citadel Logistics Centre with a short ceremony last week.
The 150-mile move was two years in the making to handle the retailer’s increasing business in line with Wiggle’s successive years of record-breaking sales and revenue growth. The new site provides 30,000m2 of distribution space, which is three times the size of the previous facility and is roughly three-times the size of a rugby pitch and six times the size of a velodrome.
The firm said it was now even better positioned to deliver unrivalled service from the new Citadel Logistics Centre. Situated two miles from the M6 and six miles from the M5, the warehouse boasts 95 lorry parking spaces and 32 loading bays. Excellent dual carriageway access enables Wiggle to compete in the national and international markets through excellent road, rail and air links.
Wiggle’s move has provided a jobs boost for the West Midlands, through the creation of over 150 local jobs. West Midlands native and Wiggle general manager Andy Urwin, will lead operations at the new site.
A century after opening as a small independent bike shop called Butler Cycles in Portsmouth, Wiggle will remain a big presence in the city, with both Wiggle’s HQ and bike business remaining in the city to serve more than one million customers across 70 countries.
Stefan Barden, chief executive of Wiggle, said: “We are very proud to officially open our new distribution service and would like to thank everybody who has been involved in making the move happen over the past two years. This opening also sees the beginning of a new chapter for Wiggle, as we focus on expanding the brand internationally whilst maintaining our excellent service and technical knowledge in our home territory. This site enables us to use our scale to lower our costs which we will in turn invest in ever improving market leading service for our customers.”
Wiggle operations director Nick Pink added: “Over the last three to four years we have seen 15-20 per cent annual volume growth, and we are investing in this site to support that continued level of organic growth in the future. We are here for the long term."
Councillor John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Assets, said: “Having a leading national brand like Wiggle in the city is huge and has already delivered further investment and new jobs for Wolverhampton people.
“The council has worked closely to make the company’s move as smooth as possible and the regeneration of the Citadel building in Bilston is a very satisfying sight. We have supported Wiggle in terms of recruitment, with 80 per cent of its initial Wolverhampton workforce recruited from the city.
“We also hope having a company with sport as its driver will inspire people here to become more active and lead healthy lifestyles. Wiggle’s move to this area will also add to Bilston’s multi-million pound regeneration, which entails new homes, leisure and business development.”
Citadel Logistics Centre
Junction 10, M6 Bilston, West Midlands, A463 Black Country Route, WV14 7EF
