Tompkins Associates International Awarded £10 million Turnkey Solution Contract for Newell Rubbermaid

Warwickshire, UK, 30th September 2002—Tompkins Associates, the global leader in providing total supply chain solutions through operations consulting, technology implementation and integration, is designing and implementing a market leading logistics center for Newell Rubbermaid, the leading manufacturer of high-volume staple consumer products. The new logistics center will provide Newell with the finest logistics operation in its sector and will benefit customers by improving line-fill, speed of delivery and stock and order accuracy.

The 395,000 square foot facility is being constructed at Fradley Park in Lichfield and will contain state-of-the-art automated sortation systems allowing fast order processing combined with high order pick accuracy. Tompkins Associates was selected for the project for their considerable knowledge of the integration market and over 30 years experience working with clients such as Hewlett Packard, Coca Cola, General Electric, Kraft Foods and Toysrus.com on similar projects. The new facility will initially bring together four of the Newell Rubbermaid businesses, all of whom supply and distribute varied products to the D.I.Y. retail sector. Provision for the growth of these businesses as well as for the integration of other group businesses or aquisitions is an integral feature of the overall design of the new facility.

Mike Neate, President of Newell Window Fashions and Hardware UK commented, "We are investing in the very best systems in order to add value to our business and we believe Tompkins Associates, as the best in the business, can provide us with these. Tompkins has an excellent reputation within our industry for their knowledge and experience as well as for their commitment to quality and professionalism. The new Lichfield operation will give us a major competitive advantage in our sector."

Adrian Best, Managing Director, Tompkins Associates, Europe said, "Tompkins will provide Newell with the best Logistics Centre in the market today, enabling them to meet their vision of becoming the leader in their industry."

Commencement of work began following the groundbreaking ceremony held on 13th June, attended by the Chairman of Lichfield District Council, Councillor John Dixon, Newell representatives Scott Richardson, Group Vice President for Worldwide Logistics, Tom Allen, Group Director of Logistics Engineering and UK President Mike Neate and Tompkins Associates representatives John Spain, Senior Partner, Frank Casey, Principal, and Steve Simonson, Principal. The project is scheduled to be completed by May 2003 with plans for Newell to make the site its central base. The new logistics center will feature a narrow aisle storage facility complementing a four-module pick engine and high-speed order sortation system. A Tier 1 Warehouse Management System and high-speed sortation system will provide accurate inventory control and world-class fulfilment.

Following its transition from four separate companies to one business comprising Newell Window Fashions UK, Douglas Kane, Spur Shelving and Homelux Nenplas, the central base is expected to open in the second quarter of 2003. It is the company's aim to achieve world-class status in manufacturing, sales, marketing, finance, IT, sourcing and logistics. The new logistics center will reduce non-value adding costs by centralizing the company's functions in a single location.

About Newell Rubbermaid
Newell is a US$7 billion turnover manufacturer and marketer of high volume staple consumer products, which are sold through a variety of retail and wholesale disribution channels. Brand names familiar to British markets are Swish, Kirsch, Acrimo, Berol, Parker, Paper Mate, Pyrex, Corning, Curver and Little Tykes.

Visit www.rubbermaid.com for more information.

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Groundbreaking (JPG, 74 Kb)

Media Contact:
E-mail Myra Schwartz or call 919-876-3667.

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