Screwfix.com runs out of staff!

[gary]

You know things are going well when you need 550 staff for your new warehouse, but Screwfix.com can't get enough staff and have had to stop online orders for at least a week! Guess it shows being big can also have its problems. :cry:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3686404.stm

Gary

 

[kyber]

Their original warehouse was not in the most highly populated region of the country.

I remember the first time I visited them (to review their operations and ecommerce systems) getting off a train seemingly in the middle of nowhere, struggling to find a taxi to their offices, and just feeling lonely.

They must have expected no problems getting staff in Stoke-on-Trent.

 

[SillyJokes]

550 staff - that's quite some operation.

What a nightmare employing people is.

Hopefully they will soon be out of this fix, or they'll be screwed

HAA ha!

 

[Ozzy]

Boom Boom

 

[kyber]

Screwfix should benefit from the different seasonal profile of DIY sales compared to many other warehouse dependent businesses. There is a huge demand for temporary staff in the run up to Christmas for most businesses but for DIY Easter, for example, is more of a peak. Screwfix is also very trade orientated which flattens the sales profile somewhat.

IMHO, it will take them time to build up their warehouse staff pool but I think they will have better staff stability than many businesses in the long term.

Stuart

 

[Braglorin]

Screwfix should benefit from the different seasonal profile of DIY sales compared to many other warehouse dependent businesses. There is a huge demand for temporary staff in the run up to Christmas for most businesses but for DIY Easter, for example, is more of a peak. Screwfix is also very trade orientated which flattens the sales profile somewhat.

IMHO, it will take them time to build up their warehouse staff pool but I think they will have better staff stability than many businesses in the long term.

Stuart

If Screwfix dont get their act together they will lose many of their trade customers. At present we are stuck trying to find some obscure little door catches that screwfix sell but nowhere around here seems to. Half the joy that was screwfix is that they delieverd next day without fail if you ordered early enough. Now you get an automated message that states that thye are no longer taking orders. This has increased our overheads considerably - especially for smaller jobs, and we have been cursing them for the past week or so. But never mind, I guess it gives me the fun of finding a new supplier - always one of my favourite jobs!

Kath
awpropertyservices.co.uk