KN Drinks Logistics has open-ed a new regional distribution centre near Birmingham. The shared-user facility at Hams Hall includes a 14,524sq m warehouse and 1,152sq m of office space. The company expects to handle an average of 19,000 pallets a month at the site, rising to 28,000 pallets at peak times. Peter Ulber, parent company Kuehne + Nagel's North West Europe chief executive, says: "Our recent success in acquiring significant new contracts through KN Drinks Logistics has prompted the decision ... to invest in a new facility.

"Both existing and future customers will benefit from the increased capacity within the network and we will be continuing to invest in the development of our dedicated service offering to this market. Our aim is to be recognised as the first-choice logistics provider to the drinks industry." Operations carried out at Hams Hall include receiving goods, picking, goods dis-patch, bulk and racked temperature-controlled storage, bulk ambient storage and handling of imports.

A combination of both Anheuser-Busch and Scottish and Newcastle products are handled. There is also additional capacity for potential future customers. Earlier this year, KN took over the Anheuser-Busch drinks distribution contract from Bibby Distribution. Brands include Budweiser, Michelob and Harbin.