Berkshire’s ByBox deploys smart lockers across UK football pitches

Slough-based ByBox has expanded its network by installing smart lockers at 14 locations run by national small-sided football operator Goals.

ByBox now has more than 45,000 smart lockers across 1,500 UK sites, enabling its clients to securely collect and return equipment and parts at convenient places near their points of service.

The company is aiming to work with a range of host site owners in return for regular rental income, along with increased footfall from visiting technicians.

Inventory management systems ensure that ByBox customers can securely deliver to smart lockers, reducing the distance engineers need to travel to pick up and return items.

Operations director Andy Crees said: “We’re delighted to see ByBox form a strategic partnership with the leading name in UK football pitches to grow our network and install lockers in locations with regular visits from a diverse client base and strong brand recognition.

“Working with Goals provides customers with even greater access to collection points across the UK, reducing journey times and improving convenience.

“We look forward to building upon this partnership by working with more site owners to deliver greater efficiencies for our customers through our unrivalled combination of technology and popular locations.”

Goals is the UK’s largest operator of dedicated, small-sided football clubs, with more than 400 pitches across 43 locations – all with its trademarked ProTour artificial surfaces.

Adam Butterworth, operations director at Goals, added: “As the UK’s premier operator of small-sided football facilities we are delighted to be working with ByBox to provide smart.

“Our business is based around providing the right venue in the right place, so we’re pleased to host ByBox technology to open new opportunities.”

Operating in 31 countries, ByBox delivers 30 million items per year, working with brands to support vital infrastructure including hospitals, telecoms, utilities and data centres.

With its head office in Slough, the company has distribution centres in Bristol, Coventry, Doncaster, Glasgow, Huntingdon, London, Milton Keynes, Solihull and Warrington.