Nisa-Today’s to open new Scottish depot

Strong turnover last year means that buying group for independent retailers Nisa-Today’s is expanding into a 195,000 sq ft distribution centre in Livingston, Scotland.

The company has secured a seven-year lease on an existing site, as part of a supply chain strategy with distribution partner DHL to carry ambient, chilled and frozen goods to group members in northern England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The warehouse will stock ambient goods, while chilled products will be cross-docked against (supplied from) an existing temperature-controlled facility in Stoke-on-Trent.

As a company spokeswoman explained to FoodManufacture.co.uk: "Chilled [ambient and frozen] foods will be delivered by our suppliers directly to our new site at Livingston, where we will pick the products and deliver them to our Scottish and Irish members."

Use of the facility will begin in November 2010, with full operational capacity expected by early 2011.

Nisa-Today’s turned-over £1.4bn for the year ending March 2010 and represents retail stores and wholesale depots across the UK. Member owners who form part of the buying group include Costcutter and independent supermarket chain Harry Tuffins.