Key warehousing issues explored at first Member Connect event

The UKWA’s new series of regional events, focusing on practical topics relevant to members, kicked on in Staffordshire at the end of May. Kindly hosted by Boughey Logistics at their site in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the event explored challenges related to three major themes: people, power and property.

These themes are based on member feedback, and the series is designed to meet the desire for more in-person opportunities across the country to learn and network. Sessions at the half-day event brought together a range of experts to dive into areas that can be hard to navigate for warehousing companies: making the most of apprenticeships. storing lithum-ion batteries, and minimising costs related to dilapidations when tenants leave a warehouse.

Karan Chhabra, UKWA Head of Policy, chaired a panel featuring Marieta Jones, Group Early Careers Manager at GXO, Kevin Birch, MD of TRS Training, and Michael Benson from Sheffield Hallam University. Making use of Apprenticeship Levy funds has long been a struggle for many in the warehousing sector – Jones gave insights on how GXO deploy theirs, and Birch explained the options available to logistics firms. The panel also discussed recent changes to the apprenticeships system (more details in this May’s Warehousing Matters email [link to Karan’s piece]).

UKWA CEO Clare Bottle provided an update on the association’s engagement with the Government and insurers over uncertainty about standards for storing lithium-ion batteries in warehouses (such as electric vehicle batteries). While demand is booming, regulation in the area is minimal, and there have been instances of warehouse keepers having to turn down contracts to store batteries because of objections from their insurers. Bottle’s presentation sparked a discussion in the room, made possible by the format of the event series, which encourages audience questions and participation.

The event ended with a panel on the practicalities of negotiations over dilapidations, and how warehouse occupiers can avoid painful unexpected costs. Expertise in the area was brought by Simon Hartley, a partner in the property litigation team at law firm Weightmans, UKWA deputy chairman Ian Henderson, John Houghten, Facilities Manager at Boughey, and Paul Raeburn of specialist surveyors, Dilapsolutions.

Houghton explained how all the decisions he makes on works in his warehouses have an eye on final dilapidations negotiations at the end of a lease, and Henderson provided specific examples from his experience in logistics property where major bills had been avoided by keeping track of key documents and managing relationships with landlords. Insights from both the legal and surveying angles made for an informative session for the members present.

The event showcased the UKWA’s ability to bring together deep expertise and the latest developments in the areas that matter to 3PLs and other warehouse operators. If you are interested in learning more about topical issues and discussing matters with your peers, check out the other events in the Member Connect Series here.