HBA welcomed customers and friends to their recent open day, celebrating the move to their new state-of-the-art distribution centre in Keady.

 

Efficiency and attention to detail runs throughout the building design. The latest Mamsoft Warehouse Management System has been installed featuring bluetooth technology, to guide order pickers, via their handheld computers, to the closest product location and enabling each order to be completed and ready for dispatch in under 10 minutes.

 

Dermot says the design also had one eye firmly fixed on the future. He comments, "During the planning stage futureproofing was a key theme. For example the design includes an extra high roof and additional steel flooring beams. This allows the stairwells and lift to go all the way to the ceiling so that a third floor can be added as required. This is something we thought might be away down the line, but judging by the stock build-up in the goods-in area, it would appear the extra floor might be needed sooner rather than later.”

 

Looking to the future, Dermot is fully aware there will be many challenges, not least created by Brexit, but the company now has a perfect base and a strong vision to succeed. He says, "Over the years we have built a business on strong personal relationships with all of our key suppliers and the business is well respected throughout the automotive industry across Ireland, the UK and with many key companies in Europe.  Whilst Brexit has brought new concerns, we are relaxed in our thinking and strategic outlook.” He adds, "After 39 years, the company has all the experience of a well-honed and seasoned boxer and knows how to roll with the punches. We are fully confident that we can rise to any new challenges and from our new home we will continue to strive to be the very best at what we do.”