Browns Distribution strengthens warehousing operations with Clarus WMS partnership

We're delighted to announce our partnership with Clarus WMS, marking another major milestone in the continued evolution of Browns Distribution and our investment in technology.

The introduction of Clarus at our flagship Distribution House facility in Stoke-on-Trent represents a significant achievement for our business, bringing advanced warehouse management capabilities alongside Touchbase, our proprietary transport management system (TMS).

Together, the two platforms represent a major technological upgrade across our transport and warehousing operations, giving us the tools, connectivity and flexibility to deliver an even better service to our customers.

A business continuing to evolve

Over the past few years, Browns has undergone a remarkable period of investment and development.

From our move into the £9 million Distribution House headquarters and multi-million-pound investment in our fleet, to key senior leadership appointments, team restructures and the development of our own technology, we've been laying the foundations for the next chapter of our business.

While our roots stretch back to 1955, the Browns of today is a very different operation. We're becoming an increasingly technology-driven logistics provider, combining decades of industry experience with modern systems, talented people and a genuine ambition to do things differently.

The successful launch of Touchbase was a huge step forward, transforming how we manage our transport operations and giving customers greater control over their logistics.

Now, with Clarus WMS, we're bringing that same level of technology and ambition to our warehousing operation.

Taking our warehousing capabilities to another level

Operating from our purpose-built, 87,000 sq. ft Distribution House facility, with 13,000 racked pallet spaces and BRCGS Storage and Distribution AA+ accreditation, our warehousing operation already supports customers across a diverse range of industries.

Clarus gives us the technology to take that offering even further.

Through a dedicated customer portal, customers now benefit from live inventory visibility, comprehensive batch tracking, controlled stock holds and releases, and detailed audit trails.

Advanced stock rotation capabilities, including best-before and expiry date management, provide greater control for customers with demanding storage and handling requirements.

Across the warehouse, real-time handheld scanning, automated workflows and improved reporting are helping our team work more efficiently while maintaining the high standards our customers expect.

Explore Distribution House →

Bringing our systems and customers closer together

Perhaps the most exciting development is what we've achieved through the integration of Clarus with our wider technology.

Working closely with the Clarus team, our in-house developers have extended the platform's capabilities and built bespoke FTP/EDI middleware to bridge the gap between our customers' systems and our own.

Combined with Clarus' advanced Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) management capabilities, this allows us to automate the flow of critical information, including orders, incoming shipment details, stock movements and dispatch confirmations.

For our customers, it means less manual administration, greater visibility and a more connected supply chain.

For Browns, it's a significant commercial achievement. We now have greater flexibility to integrate with customers' existing systems, accommodate complex operational requirements and develop bespoke solutions that previously would have been more difficult to deliver.

These capabilities will help us strengthen relationships with existing customers while opening the door to new opportunities, particularly with larger businesses looking for a technologically capable, fully integrated logistics partner.

A partnership built around technology

David Brown Jnr, Managing Director at Browns Distribution, said:

“We’re really excited to be on board with Clarus. The platform complements our in-house TMS, Touchbase, and the ASN management and EDI capabilities are a game changer for how we connect with customers and manage their requirements. Together, they strengthen our commercial offering and open up new opportunities.

“The Clarus team have been flexible and supportive throughout onboarding, working with our developers as we built custom middleware to connect our systems. It’s been a great start to a partnership between two technology-focused businesses, and we’re looking forward to what we can achieve together.”

Glen Wilkinson, Head of Sales at Clarus, said:

“Browns has spent seventy years building a reputation for getting it right, and their warehouse runs to the same standard. It's been great working with a team that knows exactly what good looks like.”

The next chapter for Browns

Our partnership with Clarus is another example of just how far Browns has come in recent years.

We've invested in our facilities, modernised our fleet, strengthened our leadership team and developed technology that puts us in a stronger position than ever before.

With Touchbase and Clarus now supporting our transport and warehousing operations, we're bringing those investments together to create a more connected, capable and forward-thinking logistics business.

And we're far from finished.

Looking for a logistics partner with the infrastructure, technology and expertise to support your business? Get in touch with our team to discover what Browns can offer.