They’ve shifted into a spacious, modern warehouse, literally just across the road from their previous Morningside complex, which they’ve occupied for the past 15 years.
The shift was so close, they could carry boxes by hand, car or forklift up the driveway to their new address at 8 Gordon Road, directly opposite the back entrance to their former three-unit complex at 16-18 Taylors Road.
A&B Binding’s new premises was owned by Balmar Distributors, and Bob says he discovered it quite by accident.
“I went to drop off some shredded paper to them one morning for their packaging and found their warehouse all shut up. The company had been sold and their former premises were surplus to requirements.”
He says the deal was sealed with the former owner of Balmar on a handshake.
He says they’d been looking for premises around the area for some time but hadn’t found anything they’d liked or that was suitable for the business. This new warehouse, while the same size, provides a spacious, column-free layout with everything on one level, which has increased production substantially.
It has given them approximately 450 square metres downstairs and a spacious 150 square metres upstairs and ample off-street parking.
“We’ve been able to set out the machinery and stock so that work has a much better flow and it is working very well for us. We’re also able to back delivery trucks and vans right into the factory” he says. “In addition we now have modern, air-conditioned offices, a meeting room, reception area and a larger lunchroom for staff.”
All they’ve done to the new property is paint it in their company colours of orange and blue.
Ann and Bob say the move was made much easier by the kindness and help of local businesses.
While Millar Sampson did their factory relocation, they were offered the free use of a truck, cell phones and another forklift from other local businesses, and they were given permission to move in two days before settlement.
To celebrate their shift, A&B Binding has bought more binding equipment; a James Burn semi-automatic closing machine which reduces the machine set up time for different jobs by 20 to 30 minutes – a real bonus for the small to medium size runs.
Ann says with their new factory, they are now well set for the busiest time of the year, the build up to Christmas.
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