Associated Grocers of New England Optimizes Warehouse, Increases Productivity
Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE), Pembroke, N.H., has come a long way since 1946, when it was organized by an enterprising group of 18 independent retailers who operated out of an 18,000-square-foot warehouse in Concord, N.H. Today, AGNE’s sales approach $500 million a year while running six days a week with more than 150 employees. A major turning point for the company came in 2005, when it built a 380,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution center in Pembroke, N.H., to accommodate its thriving business and double the capacity for continued expansion and enhancement of its product offerings.
The journey from 18,000 to 380,000 square feet is the result of customer growth and a dedication to accommodating retailers’ changing needs. With more than 300 members and 650 independent retailers to service, planning for AGNE’s larger distribution center involved optimizing the company’s space, streamlining its maintenance program, increasing lift truck productivity and improving warehouse efficiency. AGNE was able to achieve these goals after turning to Abel Womack, an authorized Raymond Sales and Service Center in Lawrence, Mass., to re-evaluate its equipment and accommodate its lift truck and material handling maintenance needs.