Games Workshop expansion

[Marshal Rohr]

We complain about stock levels but maybe GW getting slammed by the stock issues decades ago and becoming incredibly risk averse about it might be their secret sauce. You never hear about other companies sweating overstock like GW. 

[templargdt]

7 hours ago, Joe said:

It was explained to me in passing by a mutual that the issues they ran into with the US factory were related to culture clashes (UK management vs. US management), where the latter were repeatedly over-producing stock and clogging up the warehouses with products that weren't shifting.

That's really interesting.  Inventory management isn't exactly a new thing, you would think this would be fairly straightforward. 

[Focslain]

On 12/16/2024 at 4:39 AM, Robbienw said:

They used to have a factory in Memphis where their US distribution hub and HQ still is.  Can't remember exactly when it closed. 

 

I assume they stopped manufacturing there because of the move to plastic and not wanting to pay to duplicate every plastic mold they make to produce there.

They did pewter spinning in the Memphis and before that Baltimore (or more precisely Glen Burnie) main distribution hub.  But when they moved away from that to the Fine cast the hub became just a regional warehouse. I know while they were in MD they also did some boxing as well as it was cheaper and more compact to send the boxes flat with sprues out then fully packed. Not sure if Memphis did that as well (or still does).

 

 

On 12/16/2024 at 4:44 AM, Joe said:

It was explained to me in passing by a mutual that the issues they ran into with the US factory were related to culture clashes (UK management vs. US management), where the latter were repeatedly over-producing stock and clogging up the warehouses with products that weren't shifting.

 

On 12/16/2024 at 12:44 PM, templargdt said:

That's really interesting.  Inventory management isn't exactly a new thing, you would think this would be fairly straightforward. 

No this happened more then you think. When I worked for the Mail Order Trolls in the early '00 we were in constant competition with the store packers for product. One of my more interesting memories was after US GW did a Necron Army deal with a custom destroyer lord kit (built from different metal kits before they had an official kit for him) and we had to hold orders for a week cause we didn't have the lose stock and were told not to touch the boxed stuff. 

 

I did a quick inventory and while looking for boss Bob found him talking with the head production manager. After a minor wait he acknowledge me  and I told him i could get all the army orders out, but that would leave a box of warriors, 2 lord blisters and a blister of scarabs. Did he want me to proceed? Both were silent for a moment. 

 

I was told to hold for a day. The next day I had a dozen bins full of necrons on my desk. 

 

Granted that was over 20 years ago, but as we have seen since logistics has never been GW strong suit on either side of the pond.

[skylerboodie]

1 hour ago, Focslain said:

I was told to hold for a day. The next day I had a dozen bins full of necrons on my desk.

Apologiesd for being ignorant, but I don't understand what that means as an outcome? What was the message/answer to proceeding? thanks

[Focslain]

15 hours ago, skylerboodie said:

Apologiesd for being ignorant, but I don't understand what that means as an outcome? What was the message/answer to proceeding? thanks

It's fine, basically I was told to wait on doing the pull till the next day. That gave the spinners the current day to spin up a bunch of necron parts. At the time the entire army was pewter models. If they didn't have it done by lunch the next day I was fully prepared to wipe out the box stock. I'm sure that management would blame the other department for the issue. 

 

Just glad it was resolved as that lord was a pain to assembled.

[RWJP]

Nottingham Post confirms that planning permission for GW's new factory has been granted: https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/business/decision-issued-warhammer-maker-games-9807895 with a target of opening in 2026.

Planning Docs are available here: https://publicaccess.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=SEJII7LYH2L00

The plan for this new factory is BIG. It's taking two parcels of land that GW owns and combining them into one. The factory floor is around the same size as the existing Factory 2, meaning a serious increase in capacity. 

Edited December 20 by RWJP

[The Praetorian of Inwit]

This is very good news. Should really help with the frustrating stock issues. 

[Focslain]

If 2026 is their target year, its a good bet that it's first major job will be producing the kits for the 11th edition launch box or at least the first wave of releases following. 

[ZeroWolf]

2 hours ago, Focslain said:

If 2026 is their target year, its a good bet that it's first major job will be producing the kits for the 11th edition launch box or at least the first wave of releases following. 

Probably the latter as they'll start printing boxes out for 11th this time next year

[Doctor Perils]

10 hours ago, ZeroWolf said:

Probably the latter as they'll start printing boxes out for 11th this time next year

Plus they probably wouldn't want to take the increased risks for their flagship product

[skylerboodie]

18 hours ago, ZeroWolf said:

Probably the latter as they'll start printing boxes out for 11th this time next year

Do they print cardboard boxes on site? I always thought these were done in China 

[ZeroWolf]

3 hours ago, skylerboodie said:

Do they print cardboard boxes on site? I always thought these were done in China 

True, but I was thinking more the contents of the box getting produced