ONLINE RETAILER CREATES 120 JOBS
City site is the company’s biggest to date
ONLINE electricals retailer AO is creating 120 new jobs after opening a huge distribution warehouse in the city.
The company has taken a 275,000 sq ft building at G-park Stoke, off Whittle Road, in Meir Park which is AO’S biggest site to date.
It is the third distribution warehouse since June for the company – its fifth overall – and takes the total amount of space acquired by AO across Staffordshire and Cheshire in recent months to over 500,000 sq ft.
It follows the opening of a 110,000 sq ft distribution facility in Crewe and a 115,000 sq ft facility at Stafford’s Redhill Business Park in June and August.
The G-park warehouse will be primarily used for distribution to AO’S 18 ‘local hub’ depots nationwide, but there are plans for it to include a delivery depot in future.
And 120 new jobs are being created at the warehouse across a range of roles.
David Ashwell, managing director of AO Logistics, said: “Expanding our logistics network is a crucial step in our growth strategy, so we can continue to serve customers when they need us the most.
“We’ve really had to act quickly to adapt to an influx in customers following the Covid-19 lockdown. By actively securing more warehousing space and creating hundreds of new, quality jobs in the process, we’re working hard to invest in the future.
“As a business, we’re proud to provide both an essential service for customers and a safe working environment for our people, with social distancing in place. Our team have continued to adapt to necessary changes and they are taking the swift expansion in their stride.
“With our latest distribution sites in Stoke-on-trent and Stafford, we’ve now established a strong logistics hub in the North West.”
Formerly known as Appliances Online, AO stocks in excess of 12,000 products and delivers millions of electricals every year from its logistics warehouse in Crewe. It also offers next day delivery to every UK postcode seven days a week.
Business leaders have welcomed the news of AO’S ongoing expansion.
LEP chairman Alun Rogers said: “This is great news for our area.
Job creation into the hundreds is particularly welcome at this time, when many face uncertainty now the Government’s Job Retention Scheme has ended.
“AO has a big presence in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent, not least because of our workforce and central location. We’re really pleased that the company is offering employment opportunities across a range of roles.”
Sara Williams, CEO of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, said: “The increase in demand from online retailers has seen a growth in the logistics and distribution sector and it is great to see that electronics and appliances giant, AO, have recognised Stoke-on-trent’s central location, skilled workforce and great transport links and are utilising our region’s strengths to help grow their company.”
AO recently launched a nationwide recruitment drive for over 650 jobs as part of its expansion plans. Current vacancies available at the Stoke-on-trent warehouse include warehouse operatives, fork life truck drivers and night shunters as well as team leader, supervisor and management roles.
For more information about the jobs, or to apply, visit www.ao-jobs.com