GSF Car Parts advised on distribution centre

GSF Car Parts, the UK’s fastest-growing car parts distributor, is set to open a nearly 500,000 sq ft National Distribution Centre (NDC) with an aim to improve supply chain infrastructure and enhance service throughout its network.

The new distribution centre, located in Wolverhampton, has nearly half a million sq ft of warehouse space and is expandable to 750,000 sq ft of space with the mezzanine floor. The site brings together office space, advanced logistics capabilities, including dock and eight-level access loading doors, and nearly 700 parking spaces for cars and HGVs combined.

The news comes off the back of a period of rapid growth for the car parts distributor, which now has more than 185 branches and 3,000 team members across the country.

Building on a ten-year relationship with GSF Car Parts, Lodders’ Lee Thompson, senior associate in the Business Property team, and Vicky Khandker, partner and head of the Property Dispute Resolution team, advised the company on the deal.

Of the deal, Lee Thompson says: “I was delighted to assist the client with this strategically important deal from heads of terms stage through to completion. High value transactions of this nature often present challenges that need to be overcome but we were able to navigate these quickly and efficiently for the client to ensure we could proceed to completion within the required timeframes.

“By centralising distribution, GSF Car Parts will streamline its logistics, boost its service levels and position the company as a formidable national player in the automotive parts industry. Moreover, the national distribution centre will enable efficient sourcing from the global supply chain. It has been a pleasure to work with the GSF team and I wish them every success with their new NDC.”

Ben Briant, GSF Car Parts’ Property Director, says: “I have been involved in many positive changes with the business in recent years and the new NDC marks a real milestone for GSF. It is more than four times the size of our current Midpoint centre and allows GSF to truly align the whole business behind the branches and the network. This acquisition, along with 15 new branch acquisitions in 2024, shows real intent.”

World-class facility

The new NDC is equipped with cutting-edge technology to ensure that 96% of GSF stock is delivered overnight to branches, improving availability and reducing administrative burdens. With facilities for reverse logistics and warranty processes, GSF Car Parts is set to enhance its service delivery across all areas.

Receiving and stocking goods will become significantly more efficient with daily replenishment from the NDC compared to the existing model, which depends on numerous direct-from-supplier deliveries.

Steve Horne, CEO of GSF Car Parts, says: “This business has needed a National Distribution Centre for a very long time but for one reason or another, it was never quite able to make that leap. When the opportunity arose to acquire this superb facility, in a perfect central location, we jumped at it immediately.

“Our new NDC may be the flagship but in truth, it’s only part of a sustained programme of investment in GSF Car Parts that is already transforming all aspects of business operations. Our aim is to rapidly awaken the sleeping giant of the UK aftermarket.

“We’re being shown time and time again how GSF Car Parts’ exceptional branch teams deliver consistently committed customer service to grow business. Our challenge is simple; to ensure they also now get the best tools and resources to go and win more business within what we all know is a competitive market. Where garages have a choice, we want them to willingly choose to place more of their business with GSF Car Parts.”

Sukhpal Ahluwalia, Executive Chairman of GSF Car Parts, adds: “From day one, we knew that we needed a new NDC to support our ambitious growth plans. Today, less than a year after acquiring GSF Car Parts, we have got that done. The speed with which we have managed to complete this important step is validation of the amazing team that we have at GSF. They are really the very best in the business.

“While we wanted to move quickly, it was also important to get it done right. And the new NDC is a culmination of a comprehensive search exercise to find exactly the right site to drive the future of the business. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. This is a truly world-class facility that is strategically located to deliver on our ambitions. We left no stone unturned in the search for the right facility.

“I cannot wait to see the new NDC up and running. It’ll deliver on our goal of ensuring that we’re delivering the very best service to our customers: more products, better availability, and getting our products into branches at breakneck speeds. This is the next step in our journey from a large multi-regional business to a truly national player.”