Behind the Scenes at Renault: Stores, Enstone
An F1 factory is a small town of some 500 inhabitants, each one of whom needs to be provided for. The objective may be simple: to get two cars running at each and every World Championship Grand Prix. But this often involves serious logistical demands…
From replacement lightbulbs for use in the design office to all the spare parts that make up the race cars, everything that is needed to work in Enstone can be found in the main Stores. This F1 equivalent of a department store is managed by Pete Aldridge, who leads a team of seven full-time staff. “We receive more than one hundred references each day,” he explains. Everything that comes in the factory goes through this process. “We have to manage everything from office supplies, to car components and raw materials, so you have to be rigorous in how you work.”
A trace needs to be kept of everything that comes into the factory, everything that goes out… and where each part is stored to retrieve it as quickly as possible. “We have put in place a very efficient tracking system that tells us where each reference is stored, as soon as a package arrives,” continues Pete. “The priority for us is to not lose anything: to have a part missing at a test session or Grand Prix could potentially cause a logistical nightmare.” In order to avoid this happening, the Stores receive a detailed list before each important event, and prepare everything meticulously.
“Our work relies on computers,” admits Pete. “We have more than 10,000 references in stock, from car parts to materials, machine filters, protective gloves, batteries… even soap!” What’s more, certain parts are only available in very limited quantities. “The speed of development was so great in 2005 that some parts, for example, were only available in two or three pieces.” So misplacing them was not really an option! In these conditions, breathing space can be difficult to find. “There are no quiet periods,” smiles the Stores Manager. “There are just busy times – and very busy ones!” For Pete, the most difficult period to manage is from December to March. As the new car is introduced, all the references change…
Formula 1 demands the best, but it brings with it a very good working environment. “We put a lot of effort in, but we are lucky,” continues Pete. “We work in a modern environment, that’s well-heated and clean. It’s not like a normal warehouse!” The skills you need to stay organised in this world of tens of thousands of numbers are not taught at school. “You have to learn on the job,” explains Pete. “Of course, you need to be well-organised and accurate, but experience is a big advantage. Say somebody in the Design Office needs a printer cartridge. You need to know what model it is for, what type they need and react quickly.”
The result is that Pete sometimes wakes up at night asking himself whether he has forgotten to send a specific part in a van or box that left the previous day. “When it happens, I need to check straight away!” he smiles. It might be called the price of success. “We all love Formula 1, and give 100%,” he concludes. “In 2005, our success reinforced the team spirit and encouraged us to work even harder. We are all ready to make the same sacrifices in 2006. We want to defend the world championship, and will do everything we can to win it again.”
