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Stores management at new Allerton Depot

Stores management at new Allerton Depot

04/07/2012 | Channel: Depots & Maintenance

In the summer of 2011, Northern Rail approached Unipart Rail to support them in the project to re-open Allerton depot as a ‘Best in Class’ facility

Northern Rail’s fleet was expanded under the Government’s High Level Output Specification (HLOS) initiative to such an extent that an additional depot at Liverpool – Allerton was justified. Unipart Rail’s element of the huge undertaking of re-opening Allerton was to design, set up and manage the depot stores to support the maintenance of the 156 vehicles which undergo regular ‘B’ exams and gear box changes.

A project team was set up within Unipart Rail with the vision to deliver ‘best in practice for operational efficiency’ which enabled them to demonstrate their key capabilities in both Lean methodologies and depot stores management. Working closely with personnel from Northern Rail the project scope was mapped out.

Key project stages
  • Stores layout and design
  • Stores set up
  • Depot inventory profiling & stock introduction
  • Ongoing inventory management (forecasting & planning)
  • Communication centre
  • Stock management
  • Supplier management
  • Set up of vending machines
  • Standard work modelling & continuous improvement

“Unipart Rail responded enthusiastically to the challenge and made maximum use of the time available to ensure the depot stores was staffed, organised, equipped and in an overall state of readiness to supply the train parts needed on the day of opening,” said Stuart Draper, engineering director, Northern Rail. Stuart went onto say, “This was achieved by the sheer hard work, enthusiasm and determination of the entire Unipart project team.”

A specifically designed database has been developed for fast responses at the depot stores hatch. Product data has been uploaded to help the stores team identify product by using a simple key word search. Product images are then displayed which enables the fitters and the stores team to quickly identify the material required.

The stores team are also delivering product direct to the fitters line-side, ensuring waste is being removed from the processes.

Following the on-schedule reopening in December 2011 and after four months of successful operation the depot is achieving over 97 per cent levels of availability direct to line-side.

Customer benefits
  • Enablement of the depot to focus on core activities (maintenance)
  • Improves train availability
  • Improves train reliability
  • Ensures stock integrity
  • Improves passenger experience
  • Optimisation of working capital l
  • Enhances corporate image
  • Delivers a culture of continuous improvement

If you are interested in more information on depot stores management please contact: trsenquiries@unipartrail.com