fulfilmentcrowd & Iron Mountain: Delivering scalable fulfilment

How we delivered scalable fulfilment for a growing apparel brand

Delivering flexible and scalable supply chain solutions to high-growth omnichannel brands is just what we do. It’s our bread and butter. Our tea and milk. In other words, we do it well and we do it right. Our global operating platform and 'control tower' approach enable us to offer clients a fully adaptable Warehousing-as-a-Service (WaaS) proposition, providing seamless access to a network of sites across the UK, Europe, Australia, and the United States.

The challenge

In August 2023, one of our US-based clients, a prominent eCommerce apparel brand, faced significant limitations with its fulfilment operations in New York City. Operating out of an office block, the client struggled with restricted visibility into inventory, orders, and throughput. The existing setup failed to meet the necessary level of data integrity, posing challenges as they approached the peak season.

Recognising that their current fulfilment provider couldn't keep up with the anticipated demand, the client turned to us for a solution. They needed a partner capable of handling tens of thousands of SKUs and meeting high customer expectations during the upcoming holiday season. Tens of thousands, you say? A breeze.

The solution

Collaborating closely with our client, we identified Iron Mountain as a trusted partner to provide modern warehouse capacity and a skilled, motivated workforce. Together, we offered a strategically located warehousing solution in Edison, NJ, facilitating easy inventory transfers. Iron Mountain provided specialised apparel-ready pallets and warehousing space, while fulfilmentcrowd managed the technology and customer service aspects.

The implementation timeline was ambitious: initial discussions began in late August, contracts were signed by mid-October, and operations went live by mid-November - just in time for the peak season.

The results

The partnership's agility and proactive approach to meeting tight deadlines proved successful. The client now operates a year-round bustling hub out of the Iron Mountain Edison facility, processing thousands of orders per month with more than 30,000 SKUs on file. Utilising a unique racking system with specialised, flexible shelving, the warehouse is equipped to handle hard-to-store items like t-shirts and shoes, ensuring product integrity and organised fulfilment.

Beyond addressing immediate logistical challenges, this collaboration has positioned the client for more efficient and scalable operations in the future. The Edison warehouse now serves as the distribution center for six of the client's stores that have opened in the US since the initial partnership, encompassing both B2C and D2C operations.

Our partnership with Iron Mountain extends beyond the US market. We are actively working together in the UK and exploring opportunities in Europe for further expansion.

This case study really highlights our commitment to providing innovative, scalable, and efficient fulfilment solutions - anywhere in the world. By partnering with trusted providers like Iron Mountain, we ensure our clients can meet peak season demands and achieve sustained growth in the dynamic eCommerce landscape.