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John Pye, the UK’s largest auction house network, has become a leading force in the secondary market, boasting warehouses and sales rooms that span across England, Scotland, and Wales. As the business expanded, so did the need for optimised storage solutions to ensure both efficiency and safety. This need culminated in a transformative project that set a new standard for operational storage within the company.
The Beginnings of a Key Partnership
Towards the end of 2022, John Pye’s Chesterfield branch reached out with a general shelving enquiry that marked the start of an important relationship with SDE Group. Led by project consultant Elliot Watson, SDE Group’s involvement quickly moved beyond shelving to a comprehensive review of the entire storage system.
When Elliot met with the branch’s previous manager and toured the salesroom warehouse, he identified immediate issues. Although not a certified racking inspector, Elliot could spot significant flaws that posed risks to both staff and customers. Understanding the critical nature of these concerns, Elliot explained the value of a professional racking inspection.
SEMA Approved Racking Inspector Uncovers Critical Issues
John Pye agreed to a detailed inspection, and SDE Group’s SEMA Approved racking inspector, Paul Jackson, conducted an in-depth assessment.
“After we were instructed by the client to carry out a racking inspection, it quickly became evident that there were significant issues with their racking. These issues were not so much related to damaged components but to design and installation flaws.
The challenge with these types of issues is that they are not as obvious as typical damage usually found during an inspection. The client was informed of the problems immediately, and we were instructed to present a solution to address these issues and ensure the racking complied with SEMA and manufacturer regulations.”
Over 160 individual issues were identified within the existing warehouse racking. These findings underscored the urgent need for corrective action and provided John Pye with an opportunity to overhaul their storage solutions in a phased approach. Phasing out the project allowed John Pye to move stock from one area to another allowing an area to be worked on at a time and also prevented a significant financial impact and supported their cash flow.
Strategic Upgrades and Enhanced Safety Measures
One of the challenges identified was that multiple different racking systems were in place. Some materials were readily available, while others had become increasingly difficult to source and were no longer cost-effective to keep on site. To streamline operations, all mixed and non-cost-effective systems were removed, leaving just one standardised system in use.
This change led to a surplus of leftover materials, which means future repairs can be carried out using these reserves. This approach will significantly lower repair costs, providing a more cost-effective solution for John Pye in the long term.
New shelving was installed across salesrooms 47-50, providing a more organised and accessible environment while also increasing the square meter of the space.
The ‘bigs’ sales area also underwent significant improvements, with new pallet racking installed around the perimeter to better accommodate large items and increase storage capacity.
To further protect employees and streamline operations, SDE Group introduced several safety enhancements:
- Goal Posts were installed to prevent forklifts from entering specific areas, minimising the risk of accidents.
- Armco barriers were placed at the goods-in entrance to segregate this high-traffic area, ensuring clear and safe pathways.
- Handrails were strategically added around the perimeter of the goods-in area to provide an extra layer of protection for staff.
A Timely Transformation
The first phase of the project was completed in just over five weeks, aligning perfectly with the peak period of the Christmas and January sales. This timely completion has ensured that John Pye’s busiest time of the year would be met with a safer and more efficient storage system, ready to support the influx of activity.
We asked Steve Weaver, Chesterfield Site Manager at John Pye, what he thought to process, “We couldn’t be more pleased with the exceptional service provided by SDE Group. Their team recently installed new racking in the salerooms of our Chesterfield auction hub, providing a huge increase to our storage capacity taking it from 587sqm to 1810sqm.
Thanks to SDE Group, our salerooms are now optimally organised and equipped to showcase our client’s stock in the best possible way. We highly recommend their services to anyone looking for a professional and high quality installation.”
Looking Ahead
The success of this project has paved the way for continued collaboration between John Pye and SDE Group. Talks are already underway for redesigns in two out of the three sales rooms, signaling a strong, ongoing partnership focused on improving storage solutions and operational efficiency.
In summary, the integration of smart storage solutions has not only maximised efficiency at John Pye but has also significantly enhanced safety protocols. As the company looks forward to further collaborations, the strategic improvements made at the Chesterfield branch serve as a blueprint for future projects.
Ally Snee – Key Account Manager | Timber & Fire Door Specialist
With 15+ years in the timber and fire door industry, Ally Snee delivers expert solutions, ensuring businesses meet fire safety and construction needs. Known for exceptional client service and deep industry knowledge, she supports large-scale projects and provides tailored advice on fire-rated doors, timber solutions, and compliance.
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