Woodhouse Timber partners with BHD Storage Solutions to optimise warehouse efficiency, expanding storage capacity and reducing unproductive floor space.
Woodhouse Timber, a family-owned timber wholesaler established in 1983, partnered with BHD Storage Solutions to enhance its storage infrastructure.
Founded by Chris Woodhouse, the company has evolved from a small Brisbane warehouse into a prominent national timber wholesaler in Australia.
Initially focused on dressed timbers and interior mouldings, Woodhouse transitioned to using plantation timber from New Zealand, placing an emphasis on sustainability. Its flagship product, Weatherproof, is known for its distinctive pre-primed pink finish, designed for exterior use.
The company has evolved under the leadership of the Woodhouse family, leveraging new technologies and operational efficiencies to improve its warehousing and logistics.
From family roots to industry leaders
Woodhouse Timber’s transition to second-generation leadership has shaped its direction, combining industry experience with modern innovations. Mark Woodhouse serves as Managing Director and Drew is the Director of Warehouse Operations and Health and Safety. The shift in leadership brought a fresh perspective, particularly regarding innovation and efficiency in warehouse management.
“My brother and I grew up in the business, working in all facets from a young age,” says Drew. “This helped us gain a deep understanding of its operations. With changes in technology and warehouse management solutions, we saw an opportunity to improve our storage infrastructure.”
One of the key changes the new leadership brought was a focus on warehouse technology and efficiency.
“The changes in technology and growing up in that world really gave us an opportunity to look into, and explore ways, we can develop our warehouses with the new technology and the new things that are coming out,” says Drew.
Despite the company’s growth and evolution, its core values remain unchanged.
“We are a family business. Work-life balance is something that we strongly push to our staff members,” Drew says. “We do find we get the best out of our family here at work by ensuring staff are supported and get to have that proper work-life balance.”
The partnership with BHD
To manage its increasing inventory efficiently, Woodhouse Timber turned to BHD Storage Solutions.
BHD Storage Solutions provides a range of warehouse storage systems designed to maximise space and improve operational efficiency. With more than 30 years in the industry, the company supplies pallet racking, cantilever racking, shuttle racking, mobile racking, and mezzanine systems to businesses across Australia.
Its pallet racking systems allow for various configurations depending on storage needs, while cantilever racking is suited for long or bulky items such as timber and steel. Shuttle racking offers a semi-automated solution for high-density storage, and mobile racking eliminates unnecessary aisles to increase capacity. Mezzanine and platform systems enable businesses to expand usable storage space without extending their warehouse footprint.
Beyond storage products, BHD provides installation, maintenance, and repair services to ensure compliance with safety standards and operational reliability. The company also offers project management for large-scale warehouse fit-outs, safety inspections, and relocation services for businesses moving storage infrastructure to new sites.
The company’s collaboration with Woodhouse Timber began in 2019 when David Seale, BHD’s Business Development Manager, connected with Drew.
In recent years Paul Friske, Woodhouse’s General Manager of Operations, has been the one collaborating with David for the successful expansion and install of racking in Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide.
“That began a few years ago in Brisbane,” explains Drew. “We realised we weren’t utilising the full potential of our warehouse space. Our first experiment was with six-metre and nine-metre racking. We learnt a lot from that experience which we used when installing additionally racking in Brisbane and new racking solutions into Melbourne and Adelaide.”
BHD designed and implemented a storage solution featuring 9,000 mm high double-sided cantilever columns, surpassing the standard 5,800 mm height. This design reduced floor space requirements by 37 per cent and, with the use of narrow aisle forklifts, decreased unproductive floor space by 35 per cent compared to standard aisle configurations.
Consequently, Woodhouse Timber saved approximately 1,500 sqm of floor space, translating to an estimated cost saving of $1.5 million in land and building expenses. The partnership has continued to expand over the years. As Drew explained, Woodhouse Timber’s previous racking provider did not meet its standards.
“We had issues with our first racking supplier, the installation process was problematic. The installers caused delays, and the product didn’t arrive on schedule. With BHD, we haven’t experienced any of those issues,” he says.
“They have a direct relationship with the manufacturer, which means they go straight to the sources so that is a major advantage. With BHD, you get clear and honest time frames for production, delivery, and installation.”
In 2024, BHD installed an additional 196 cantilever columns, each measuring 9,000 mm by 410 mm, covering 90 per cent of the warehouse floor space. This expansion further maximised storage capacity and reduced annual storage costs per metre.
Woodhouse Timber has continued integrating BHD’s storage solutions into its operations. The most recent development, Stage 2 in Dandenong South, marks another advancement in warehouse efficiency.
The company has operated its Dandenong South warehouse for about four to five years, identifying it as a key location due to the independent market in the area. Initially, the company racked out half the warehouse to assess its needs, later deciding to expand further to maximise storage and efficiency.
Rather than relocating, Woodhouse chose to increase product capacity within the existing space, allowing them to stay in Dandenong South longer while improving logistical efficiency. The expansion has helped the company become more entrenched in Victoria’s market, reinforcing its commitment to providing fast, flexible, and frequent service.
Feedback from warehouse staff has been positive, despite initial skepticism about the changes.
“Now they’ve got the hang of things, they couldn’t be more excited to get the racking in,” says Drew.
Since 2019, Woodhouse has installed 731 double and single cantilever racks across its facilities, enhancing stock accessibility and accommodating its product range. Efficiency is at the core of Woodhouse Timber’s operational strategy.
“The racking system forces our team to stay on top of things,” says Drew. “Before, we had products stored on the floor, which led to inefficiencies when replenishing stock. Now, we have a structured system that optimises picking and receiving, ensuring smooth operations.”
The company also implemented a warehouse management system (WMS) alongside BHD’s racking solutions.
“It was a big learning curve, but once we had both systems in place, our efficiency and output skyrocketed,” Drew adds. “It’s an investment that continues to pay off.”
BHD’s reliability has been a key factor in Woodhouse Timber’s continued partnership.
“In Adelaide and Melbourne, BHD even completed their installation ahead of schedule by two days,” Drew says. “That kind of reliability makes a huge difference in our planning and logistics.”
“The structured storage system has improved workflow and efficiency, and we haven’t had any issues with the racking itself,” says Drew.
Looking ahead, Woodhouse Timber plans to continue working with BHD on future warehouse expansions.
“We still have a few facilities that haven’t been fully racked out yet,” Drew explains. “Beyond that, we’re always open to innovative storage solutions that can help us improve efficiency further.”
While expansion into new markets isn’t currently on the agenda, Woodhouse Timber is committed to optimising its existing warehouses.
“Our goal is to make the most of our current spaces and refine our processes,” Drew says. “Our vision is to be fast, flexible, and frequent – and having the right storage solutions in place is key to making that happen.”
The continued partnership between Woodhouse Timber and BHD Storage Solutions showcases the importance of strategic storage solutions in warehouse efficiency. Through innovative racking systems, efficient space utilisation, and a good supplier relationship, Woodhouse has been able to grow and streamline its operations, ensuring it remains a leader in the Australian timber industry.
The efficiency gains have had a ripple effect across the company’s supply chain. Reduced storage costs have allowed for reinvestment in logistics and transport solutions, helping the company meet its goal of being “fast, flexible, and frequent,” says Drew.
As Woodhouse Timber moves forward, its partnership with BHD Storage Solutions remains integral to its growth and operational efficiency. The two companies continue to explore new ways to optimise storage, ensuring that Woodhouse Timber remains at the forefront of Australia’s timber wholesale industry.
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