CDB Group

The challenges

CDB faced mounting challenges as its distribution network expanded, with existing warehouses rapidly reaching capacity and creating congestion, poor space utilisation, and limited flexibility for new product lines. As space tightened, operational efficiency declined: picking routes lengthened, replenishment slowed, and error rates increased, driving up handling times and operational costs. To compensate, CDB relied on hiring large warehouse teams, which led to ongoing recruitment pressures, higher labour expenditure, inconsistent training, and difficulty maintaining performance standards. At the same time, warehouse conditions deteriorated, with crowded aisles, long walking distances, and physically demanding environments contributing to worker fatigue, safety risks, and lower morale. Together, these issues signalled that the current warehouse setup was unsustainable and highlighted the need for CDB to rethink its approach to capacity, process design, and workforce well-being.