Tyre and rubber manufacturer Bridgestone South Africa, which has plants in Brits and Port Elizabeth, reports that it is investing R250-million, in partnership with Value Logistics, to create a new central warehouse in Germiston, Gauteng.

The investment is designed to substantially streamline the company’s distribution process.

Aimed at improving productivity and efficiencies in the face of increased demand for its products, the new warehouse will occupy an area of some 45 750 m2 and will have a capacity of 550 000 tyres.

Clearing of the site started late in 2003 and the project is expected to be completed by mid 2005.

The new facility, which will be equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology and computerisation for location of stock, tracking of inventory and linking to retail outlets, reduces the current distribution system from six stock-holding locations to one, with satellite locations in Durban, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town.

“The benefits of this new, streamlined distribution system are substantial and will equip us to meet the challenges that face us with increased global demand for Bridgestone products and consequent increased demand on Bridgestone production facilities around the world,” said Shaun Wustmann, Bridgestone South Africa’s vice-president of sales and marketing.

“With the new central warehouse and satellite warehouses, we will be able to offer deliveries within 24 hours as well as considerably improved delivery time from Johannesburg to Durban, Bloemfontein and Cape Town.

A feature of the venture is Bridgestone’s continued partnership with materials handling, truck rental and freight company, Value Logistics, with whom Bridgestone has been doing business since becoming its first client in 1981.