Representatives from the Industry Can Reflect and Comment on History of the UKWA

UK – Born during the dark days of wartime the United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2019 and the organisation is seeking comments and memories which illustrate its past from both the freight and logistics community as well as wholesalers, retailers and the warehouse keeping community itself.

The Association was launched in 1944 when representatives from warehousing companies formed a Committee to discuss the storage and distribution of food and materials in wartime Britain. Originally known as the National Association of Inland Warehouse Keepers (NAWK), the Association changed its name to the United Kingdom Warehousing Association in 1994.

Today the organisation is the leading trade body dedicated to serving the needs of the UK’s logistics industry and has over 700 member companies, including third party logistics operators together with leading retailers and manufacturers, who, between them, control nearly 100 million square feet of warehousing space from nearly 1300 locations across the UK. UKWA’s chief executive officer, Peter Ward, commented:

“This is a significant milestone for UKWA and we plan to mark the Association’s 75th Anniversary with a schedule of commemorative events throughout the year. UKWA has a long and proud tradition and is continuing to evolve to meet the ever changing needs of its members and the broader logistics industry.”

A commemorative publication will be produced that reflects on UKWA’s first 75 years and companies or individuals with stories or photographs to share that illustrate the changing face of the logistics sector over the past three quarters of a century should contact editor@ukwa.org.uk

Photo: The devastated Mersey Docks after the explosion of the SS Malakand destroyed in the blitz of May 1942 whilst loading over 1,000 tonnes of munitions. Such devastation made the need for coordinated warehousing crucial to ensure stability in the supply chain.