Henderson Wholesale claims to have saved £175,000 since introducing a new voice picking and stock system.

The Northern Ireland-based Spar wholesaler said the system at its ambient depot in Belfast had helped halve its wastage and that it planned to extend the technology to its chilled and frozen warehouses.

The number of delivery errors had been reduced to a tenth of its previous level, said Henderson logistics director Pat McGarry.

"Voice picking has enabled Henderson to transform its customer service levels, which was the company's priority," he said.