How warehouses became a vital part of the circular economy  

With retail warehousing remaining in high demand, 2024 has been named the ‘Year of Warehousing’. The sector is celebrating sustained growth and is continuing to adapt to supply chain trends such as online shopping and nearshoring (outsourcing business processes to companies in a nearby country). 

Warehousing has grown 61 per cent in the last decade and 22 per cent in the past three years. Goods are no longer just stored in warehouses but are personalised, packaged and dispatched. Warehouses have become a vital part of the circular economy, as they are hubs for managing returns, repairs and recycling.  

The rise in online retailers has lead to a warehouse footprint increase of a whopping 813 per cent since 2015. In addition, global geopolitical events have highlighted the unpredictability of long supply chains which in turn, has led to an increasing number of businesses opting for nearshoring to ensure supply chain resilience.  

Clockwork Removals and Storage has seen an increase in commercial storage inquiries from a diverse range of businesses from online retailers to interior designers and the film and TV industry.  

Founded in Edinburgh in 1996, Clockwork Removals and Storage has branches in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Perth and Orkney providing flexible and secure warehouse facilities throughout Scotland.  

The company has a further four branches across England, establishing its UK presence in a competitive market.  

Clockwork’s large-scale storage solutions supply businesses throughout Scotland with much needed warehouse space without the commitment of investing in expensive overheads.  

Clockwork recently acquired a new warehouse on the A74 in Tollcross, Glasgow, with enviable transport links throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK.  

This new warehouse is not only the company’s biggest in Scotland, at nearly 40,000 square feet, but is also its tallest at more than 11 metres high. The 1.8-acre site is a high bay, multi-use storage facility providing space for 1,500 containers, pallets, racking, archives and self storage.  

Clockwork Removals recently acquired Artlink Transport, which specialises in the expert transportation and storage of fine art. This exciting acquisition will further develop the Clockwork Group services providing more specialised art services and high-spec temperature-controlled storage facilities.  

Unlike other storage providers, Clockwork also has the ability to deliver and install customers’ items when and if required. Working with a number of furniture companies across the UK, the Clockwork team will deliver furniture to customers’ homes, specialising in the installation of items at properties with difficult access.  

Global geopolitical events have highlighted the unpredictability of long supply chains which has led to an increase in nearshoring.

As an award-winning member of the British Association of Removers, Clockwork also has a Safe Contractor accreditation, meaning it is audited annually. This assures clients that all staff are highly trained in commercial services.  

Clockwork works in both the private and public sector managing moves for laboratories, hospitals, museums, hotels, universities and schools.  

Sustainability and environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements have become part of its everyday agenda and Clockwork is doing its very best in what is a carbon-intensive industry. Clockwork is committed to a sustainable future and has an annual carbon assessment carried out by Carbon Footprint. “We are always striving to meet and exceed our environmental targets,” says Paul Handley, Managing Director of Clockwork Removals.  

The business already has a robust fleet replacement plan ensuring vehicles are compliant with Scotland’s low emission zones. It offsets carbon with UK tree planting initiatives and uses recyclable materials for its packing services.  

With such a large coverage, the business is also committed to improving the communities in which it operates. It partners with local charities and provides removals and storage help to local organisations.  

“At Clockwork we always aim to be as flexible as possible when offering solutions to our clients, so we are happy to securely store commercial goods at any one of our warehouses across the UK,” adds Handley.  

Clockwork has a busy autumn ahead with businesses utilising its warehouse space for pre-Christmas stock storage. 

Partner Content in association with Clockwork Removals and Storage.