IMMINGHAM: A 110 000sq ft UK distribution centre has opened in North East Lincolnshire, aimed at providing builders' merchants with a convenient ...

service to obtain Fermacell gypsum fibre board. Xella Dry Lining Systems, manufacturers of the product, has plans to achieve nationwide penetration of the builders' merchant market with the opening of this site.

Fermacell chose Norfolkline Logistics to provide "a robust and scalable logistical solution to support an expansion plan for the UK which includes international and domestic transportation, as well as UK warehousing and distribution".

Tim Deathridge, general manager of Xella Dry Lining Systems (UK), commented: "We are giving builders' merchants the opportunity to increase their business with a product they have not stocked before. In these hard times it's advantageous to offer something a little different," he said.

"That means that we can meet the requirements of someone just needing a small quantity of Fermacell to perhaps dryline an extension, through to a developer wanting to construct a four bedroom detached house or an apartment block.

A crucial piece in the operation, said the company, was the appointment of Bill Barker as Fermacell's national builders' merchant account manager.

Mr Barker has six years of experience within the merchant sector, primarily as a branch manager with the Manchester depot Murdocks.

"Fermacell made an excellent initial foothold into the marketplace last year when it signed-up a distribution agreement with Bradfords, the UK's fifth largest builders' merchants chain," said Mr Barker.