BSH Distribution Warehouse

BSH is Europe’s largest manufacturer and distributor of home appliances, renowned for brands such as Bosch, Neff, and Siemens.

BSH’s UK distribution and customer service division took residence in a brand-new, state-of-the-art warehouse facility in Corby, Northamptonshire, in 2019. The Corby warehouse, which provides distribution for the entire UK and the Republic of Ireland, is over 450 metres in length and 180 metres wide, covering an area of approximately one million square feet. Around 400 people are employed on site, with the warehouse operating on a 24-hour shift basis.

BSH is committed to improving sustainability across its business, and managers at the Corby site are already investigating innovative ways to reduce energy consumption and ensure spaces are used to their optimum level.

The warehouse had been fitted with SmartScan-equipped Thorlux luminaires prior to BSH moving in. They engaged Thorlux to adjust the system operation to suit their usage, improving lighting energy efficiency in the process. The building’s developers had installed the SmartScan luminaires in the knowledge that the lighting settings could be changed to suit the tenant (and easily returned to the default settings if required).

Visiting engineers established that the Solow XLED luminaires were set in large groups that dimmed to 10% illuminance after ten minutes. After experimenting with different settings using Platform 1 of the SmartScan system, the luminaires were recommissioned by Thorlux into smaller groups set to dim after only two minutes. This seemingly small change has resulted in significant energy efficiency improvements.

Over four months between January and April 2024, BSH recorded an energy saving of nearly 60,000 kWh. This has also avoided approximately 20,000 kg of CO₂ emissions and reduced the active time of the warehouse luminaires by an average of 17%. A forecast based on this information shows that BSH has the potential to save up to £18,000 across 2024. This demonstrates the benefits of calibrating a lighting system based on actual use and user requirements. Site managers and team members at BSH have all expressed satisfaction with the results of the recommissioning.