2023: A Review for The Finishing Line

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On December 20th 2023 by Megan Dunmore
Explore more: Experiences & Industry Insights | Case Studies | Testimonials

Message from Andy Mead

Season’s Greetings from all of us at The Finishing Line

We’ve had a very busy few final months of the year moving into our fantastic new facility – the contract packing side of our business has already settled in seamlessly, and we look forward to the eCommerce operation moving across in the New Year.


In other news, we’re proud to have achieved ISO 9001 accreditation earlier this month and to have been named winners of a national award, alongside our Head of Commercial Innovation Josh Arrowsmith and University of Essex, for Best Management KTP.


We have also welcomed exciting new customers on board and are looking forward to a successful 2024. We hope you can join us on March 21st for the official opening of our new warehouse by Baroness Smith of Basildon – more details soon!


In the meantime, may I thank you for your continued support and wish you all a very Happy Christmas from everyone at The Finishing Line.

1. Successful Move To A New Facility

The Finishing Line moved to extensive new premises in October, marking a new era. The company has continued to grow and diversify, and our new facility will bring all our services under one roof, capturing synergies and drive efficiency, whilst providing an improved working environment for our workforce.

 

Our modern building is substantially larger than current facilities, increasing our production capacity by up to 40% as well as providing significant extra storage space. This move means that we can accommodate increased demand for our services from customers, while our new location on Prologis Park in Basildon is just a short distance from our existing premises, so we retain the advantages of a strategic location close to the ports and within easy reach of the UK’s largest consumer market.

 

The new facility is 76,000 sq. ft, with an 11,000 sq. ft mezzanine floor and 6 dock levelling doors. It includes 60,000 sq. ft of VNA racking and 14,000 pallet spaces. Future plans include establishing a Customs Bonded facility.

 

We are delighted that Baroness Smith of Basildon will officially open our new ‘home’ in March 2024.

2. ISO 9001 Accreditation

After months of preparation, we are thrilled to announce that we have achieved ISO 9001 accreditation, the international standard specifying requirements for a quality management system (QMS). This achievement underscores our commitment to consistently and efficiently provide products and services that meet or exceed customer and regulatory requirements.

 

In addition to ISO 9001, The Finishing Line holds certifications from SMETA and Cyber Essentials Plus, and we are proud accredited members of UKWA and BCMPA.

 

Looking ahead, our commitment to excellence extends further. We are actively pursuing ISO 14001 certification, a framework for improved and environmentally focused quality management systems, aligning with our dedication to minimizing adverse impacts on the environment.

 

Furthermore, in response to the evolving needs of the eCommerce landscape, our next goal is ISO 27001 accreditation. This certification will bolster our capabilities to meet stringent information security standards, providing enhanced support for eCommerce requirements and ensuring the secure handling of sensitive data.

3. New Business

In addition to securing new eCommerce fulfillment customers across diverse sectors such as fashion apparel, supplements, vitamins, and children’s toys and accessories, we are excited to share the positive outcomes of our recent expansion. The decision to broaden our services, encompassing both contract packing and eCommerce fulfillment, has resulted in a unique and comprehensive service offering.

 

Our newly acquired warehouse has significantly increased our capacity by 40%. We are delighted to observe a swift response from businesses, attracted by the advantages of our port and market-centric facility. This strategic location offers not only logistical benefits but also positions us as a preferred partner for flexible and cost-effective eCommerce services.

 

One notable success story is Tyrrell Katz, our latest eCommerce fulfillment partner. They have chosen The Finishing Line to benefit from our tailored services, taking advantage of the strategic advantages offered by our location and the expanded capabilities of our new warehouse.

KTP Award Photo

4. The Finishing Line KTP Project Wins National Award

We are delighted that Head of Commercial & Innovation at The Finishing Line, Josh Arrowsmith, won the inaugural Best Management KTP Award in October.

 

This award category was created to reward and recognise productivity, and the win acknowledges the success of a two-year project at The Finishing Line in partnership with the University of Essex.

 

Josh joined us on placement as a KTP associate working with the University of Essex, subsequently he was appointed Head of Commercial & Innovation. Commenting on the project.

 

Rob Walker, Head of Business Engagement at the University of Essex commented:

 

We have been thrilled to work alongside The Finishing Line and witness their growth over the past few years. From the moment I met Andy, the vision and passion for both innovation and scaling the company was clear. The team are a passionate bunch and when Josh joined through our Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Innovate UK, the company vision Andy had articulated was able to fully accelerate.

 

Congratulations once again to Josh and an amazing team effort.

At Finishing Line, we are always looking at new ways to facilitate the fulfilment needs of all our clients, and will always try to successfully onboard as many potential clients who are interested in the services that we provide. We understand that optimisation, speed, and efficiency are some of the most vital aspects that our clients must receive from our services; and we are consistently delivering.

If you are looking to find extra space, or for a partner that works with you to make the most of what you have, please contact us today. We have decades of experience in ecommerce fulfilment, returns management, contract packing and warehouse management, and will advise on how to optimise your warehouse space.

Please get in touch with us, send a live chat message, or call +44 (0)1268 498 950

Send us your direct enquiry via email:

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