This facility serves as an alternative packaging and shipping solution to the conventional Amazon warehouse network for Henkel’s consumer adhesives products, streamlining operations and enhancing the business unit's sustainability and digitalization efforts.
Henkel streamlines their UK and Ireland supply chain
The Adhesive Technologies supply chain operation has strengthened its partnership with Amazon by establishing a highly efficient fulfilment centre at Henkel’s Winsford logistics site, becoming the first of its kind in Europe for the Adhesives Technologies business.
In August 2024, the Amazon Vendor Flex Operation was successfully launched, enabling the Adhesive Technologies business to fulfil consumer orders directly on site. Typically, stock is supplied to Amazon's warehouse network, and the home deliveries for consumers are picked at their facilities. However, with this new approach, trusted high-volume suppliers like Henkel can bypass Amazon’s warehouses entirely. This change accelerates Henkel’s delivery, reduces congestion, and lowers transport costs as well as CO2 emissions.
Amazon initially approached the team early in the year, and after finalising the necessary contracts, a dedicated cross-departmental team—including members from Customer Service, IT, Logistics, SHE & Facilities Management, and Service Strategy—embarked on an ambitious 8-week implementation plan.
To prepare for the launch, the team cleared a designated area in the Co-packing building for Amazon’s equipment and IT systems. Henkel employees designed new operational processes to manage the flow of stock from the distribution centre, and upskilled colleagues on how to effectively use Amazon’s systems for picking and packing shipments. Despite the tight timeline, the team achieved their go-live target and saw the first shipments dispatched to consumers in the last week of August.
I couldn’t be prouder of the team at our Winsford site and what they have achieved with this important customer collaboration project. The past 8 weeks have not always been plain sailing, but as usual, the team pulled together, finding solutions and adapting to the new way of working.”
Everyone on the team went above and beyond to make this a success. It is a testament to their dedication that we have been able to ramp-up our picking capacity so quickly.
Heidi Findlow, Site Manager at Henkel’s Winsford site and Head of Logistics for UK and Ireland, Nordics, and Baltics
This achievement marks another important milestone in Henkel’s ongoing efforts to optimise its supply chain and drive greater efficiency. By leveraging digital processes and collaborating with partners, Henkel is well-positioned to continue delivering value to its customers across the UK and Ireland while contributing to sustainable business practices.
