Warehouse Location Analysis

If you’re planning a warehouse move, use our services to find the optimal new warehouse location.

INTRODUCTION

Optimal warehouse location

Identifying optimal locations for warehouses and other fixed facilities within the supply chain is a major decision for any business. Warehouse location drives transportation costs and, where new supply routes are being introduced or an existing supply chain is being re-engineered, then full and comprehensive warehouse location analysis needs to be undertaken.

Motorway at sunset with vehicle headlights blurred
Birds eye view of an interchange at a fly over

WAREHOUSE LOCATION ANALYSIS

Centre of gravity

Location analysis requires applied mathematics and is often referred to as ‘Centre of Gravity Modelling’, although it’s also known as p-media and the grid method. In principle, the aim of the centre of gravity model is to identify the geographical location where distance and/or transport costs are minimised.

CLIENTS

Who we work with

HERE TO HELP

Reducing operating costs

As transport costs usually have a linear relationship with distance, and also have a greater degree of variability than warehouse costs across the UK, then identifying the right location for your warehouse can significantly reduce operating costs.

Using our own in-house developed tools, we are able to support you in undertaking centre of gravity modelling,  and warehouse sizing and demand allocation, based on a range of possible drivers including transport costs, distance and service lead times.

Persons tapping a tablet inside a warehouse with stock in the racking

Warehouse location services

Three trucks carrying containers at the loading bays of a warehouse

Location of a Single Warehouse

The location of warehouses and distribution centres within a logistics network is a major decision and requires detailed analysis of service and cost implications. The investment and implementation costs of new facilities are high, and it is a long-term decision that needs to be supported by a robust business plan and thorough scenario modelling.

Our warehouse consultants, using a combination of proprietary tools and 3rd party mapping software, are able to perform location analysis either using discrete modelling (where location or site preferences exist) or continuous modelling (where no location or site preference exists).

Outside of a large warehouse

Location of Multiple Warehouses

Undertaking warehouse location analysis for multiple facilities needs to consider a number of additional variables in addition to the analysis required for a single location. A determination firstly needs to be made on the optimal number of warehouses, and this is calculated through the balance of warehousing costs, transport costs and service time parameters. Furthermore, the allocation of demand between each warehouse needs to be considered and this may vary in line with seasonality.

As with modelling a single warehouse location, our warehouse consultants are able to perform all required analysis using a combination of proprietary tools and 3rd party mapping software.

Empty racks in a warehouse

Warehouse Sizing and Design

When the number and location of warehouses is known, our warehouse consultants can then progress to developing ‘first pass’ schematics of the required size and configuration of each warehouse. These first pass schematics provide the blueprint so suitable warehouses can be identified through property agents in each location.

INSIGHT

Warehouse location articles & advice

TESTIMONIALS

Client testimonials

CONTACT US

Have questions?
Get in touch!

Tamsin Giles, Client Service Coordinator, contact photo

Hello! I’m Tamsin, Client Services Coordinator at Paul Trudgian. Please get in touch by phone, email or the contact form and I’ll make sure your enquiry is dealt with promptly and passed to the right member of the consulting team. We look forward to hearing from you!