UKWA 80-visit tour of UK warehouses completed

Pictured from left to right: UKWA chair Mike Thomas; managing director at Delamode Alberto Llamas Romero; UKWA CEO Clare Bottle; Councillor David Shields, Lord Mayor of Southampton; Samantha Cowan, sales and implementation manager at Delamode and Billy Ross, commercial director at Delamode

The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) celebrated the 80th visit this year by CEO Clare Bottle to warehouses across the UK, with a grand finale event at Delamode International Logistics in Southampton.

The commitment by Ms Bottle to visit 80 warehouses marks the association’s 80th anniversary and is part of the national ‘2024 Year of Warehousing’ campaign to raise awareness and appreciation of the importance of warehouses within the supply chain, as well as highlighting the sector’s significant contribution to the UK economy. Ms Bottle’s epic journey concluded at Delamode’s Port-centric warehouse, which includes a unique 65,000 pallet bonded facility adjacent to the quay, dedicated to high-volume pre-retail loads for major and multiple retailers.

Following a tour of the impressive facilities, Ms Bottle and the Delamode senior leadership team were joined by Councillor David Shields, Lord Mayor of Southampton, UKWA board members and other UKWA member companies who have played a role in supporting the 80-visit journey, to celebrate the huge achievement in memorable style. Reflecting the theme of ‘Around The Warehouses in 80 Days’, guests were treated to a special ‘immersive’ event, designed to create the illusion of being in a hot air balloon, complete with basket and tension ropes, and a glass of bubbly to toast the success of The Year of Warehousing.

Raising the profile
Welcoming all guests, including Ms Bottle and the Lord Mayor, Delamode’s managing director Alberto Llamas Romero said: “It is a great honour for Delamode to be the final destination on Ms Bottle’s 80-visit challenge. We are proud to support The Year of Warehousing campaign in a year that has seen significant change and growth for Delamode. Thank you to the Lord Mayor and our friends and colleagues at UKWA for celebrating with us and congratulations to Clare on raising the profile of our sector!”

Pictured right: CEO Clare Bottle and UKWA board of directors join final visit at Delamode International Logistics

Councillor Shields noted the importance of a thriving dock, including warehousing, to the prosperity of the region, and thanked both Delamode and UKWA for the chance to learn more about warehousing and logistics. He said: “I am delighted to be here today and, of course, stand ready to support businesses that drive growth for Southampton.”

The Year of Warehousing has taken Ms Bottle on a nationwide journey, travelling well over 10,000 miles in her highly visible specially branded Tesla, visiting 80 warehouses in 286 days, meeting Ministers, MPs, local dignitaries and UK members along the way, while helping raise over £8,000 for local charities.

Ms Bottle concluded: “This year has been a tremendous year of discovery for me. I have been humbled and inspired by the scale and variety of the warehouses I have visited — from the largest technology-driven innovators to small family businesses, and everything in between. Our great sector, which generates annual revenues of £1.3 trillion and contributes £185 billion to the UK’s GVA performance, facilitates the movement of goods for automotive, chemicals, construction, fashion, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, defence, public services, and more.

“Efficient warehousing means efficient supply chains, which in turn lead to lower costs, improved service levels, and a stronger economy. I am proud to have been able to play my part in shining the spotlight on this often undervalued yet absolutely essential industry in 2024 The Year of Warehousing. Thank you to all the wonderful people across the UK who have welcomed me, showcased their extraordinary businesses and helped UKWA build a stronger than ever community.”