New Kitwave Wakefield warehouse will be HB Clark’s HQ

Kitwave Group has opened a new distribution warehouse in Wakefield. This facility replaces the group’s previous Wakefield site and will act as the head office for on-trade wholesaler HB Clark.

The site is 165,000 sq ft and includes a purpose-built unit of 65,000 sq ft with a height of over 12 metres. The premises will utilise warehouse management systems that will drive improved operational and administrative efficiencies, as well as providing modern spaces for coaching, training and in-person meetings.

Kitwave’s InFAMous Soft Drinks post-mix production facility will relocate from its Leeds depot to the new Wakefield warehouse by May this year to bring operational synergies, including new equipment to improve capacity and better storage facilities. HB Clark will also shortly introduce an online purchasing solution.

A total of 80 staff are making the move from the old Wakefield site and Leeds to the new premises.  There will be no job losses from either site.

Some members of the Leeds team had already moved to the old Wakefield site during the Covid pandemic and the remaining staff who are part of the InFAMous Soft Drinks post-mix production facility will relocate from Leeds to Wakefield by May this year. The former Wakefield site has now closed and the Leeds depot will close finally by May.

Kitwave CEO Paul Young commented: “The opening of this new site in Wakefield is a testament to the group’s determination to continue pursuing opportunities through expansion and improved efficiencies, both for our customers and colleagues.

“Thanks to these synergies and optimised processes, including the launch of the fully functional online solution for customers, we are able to further improve the quality of our service provision and drive cross-selling, which will deliver long-term value to the group and its customers.

“We are delighted that all 80 of our staff members are making the move to the new site, highlighting the strong relationships Kitwave maintains with its colleagues. This is only the third move in HB Clark’s 100+ year history and comes at an exciting time for the group, as it delivers on its growth strategy.”