First AutoStore ever to be installed in Scotland

Direct Soccer, the football teamwear specialist, invests in an intralogistics boost from Element Logic’s robot technology – the very first installation in Scotland.

Following several years of sustained growth, Ecommerce retailer Direct Soccer is conscious of the importance of customer service and being able to deliver efficiently to customers quickly. With the AutoStore solution in place, it enables them to provide an even better and faster fulfilment. The solution empowered by Element Logic, is the very first in Scotland.

The system is designed for current needs, but even more importantly for a future competitive edge. Going from a manual warehouse to high-performance automation allows them to hold a great stock of items and increase the SKU range, optimising the service and speed of the next day delivery service.

“Following research into warehouse automation, we were looking for an innovative solution that could grow with us, reduce lead times and safeguard us in an extremely competitive and fast moving marketplace. Element Logic ticked all the boxes and we felt they understood the needs of our business and were very responsive to our way of thinking”, says Joyce Gibson, Director Direct Soccer.

From left to right: Allan Burns – Project Manager Element Logic, Bryce Gibson – Owner Direct Soccer and Joyce Gibson – Owner Direct Soccer

System designed to be scalable and expandable

The first phase of the system with planned go-live by December 2020, will consist of 7 robots and 7 900 bins. However, Direct Soccer is expecting to expand the system with a potential to increase this over three phases to 21.000 bins over 10,000sqft .

Direct Soccer is one of the leading UK kit suppliers that offers in house printing and embroidery. They are able to take fully personalised orders on mobile devices which is a first in the UK. Forward thinking and invested in continuing developing the business to ensure their customers have the best online experience, they are aware that warehousing and distribution has to be equally innovative and the investment in AutoStore ensures they are at the forefront of advanced warehousing solutions.

Express Football Kits, the sister site of Direct Soccer, that offers limited personalisation but with next day delivery has a fast growing customer base and AutoStore again will ensure the business is able to meet the demands of this growing customer base.

“It has been a pleasure to work alongside a company like Direct Soccer on such an exciting project and the first of its kind in Scotland, It was great to work with a customer who just understood the value of a truly flexible & scalable automation solution such as AutoStore. Because of this we were able to bring Element Logic’s wealth of experience in implementing successful AutoStore’s within an ecommerce, sports apparel environment”, says Gavin Harrison, Sales Manager Element Logic UK.

 

About Direct Soccer
Direct Soccer is a one stop shop for all footballing needs. Our inhouse, full personalisation service offers high quality embroidery and printing making it simple and great value. We are a family run business that started on the high street in 1997, making the transition to online in 2002.

For over 20 years Direct Soccer have been providing teams and individuals with high quality, branded goods at discounted prices in the form of teamwear, clothing, footballs and equipment.

Direct Soccer has more than 20 employees operating out of their facility in Dundee and is experiencing sustained growth, with 38% increase in sales in 2019.

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