Construction work has commenced in Newbridge in Kildare for Lidl's new regional headquarters and distribution centre.
The project is worth €100 million and is expected to be ready by November of this year.
The new facility is a key part of Lidl Ireland’s €200 million investment programme for 2018.
Better Facilities
Once completed, the 54,000 square-metre distribution centre will be equivalent in size to three football stadia and will create 100 new full-time positions.
Some 250 employees already work in the existing Newbridge distribution centre.
Director of property and central services at Lidl Ireland, Alan Barry, commented, “The larger distribution centre will also allow Lidl to handle greater volumes of produce from the 200 strong network of Irish suppliers, from whom Lidl already sources over €700 million worth of Irish food and drink products.”
Expansion Plans
The new distribution centre will serve Lidl’s network of stores in the Leinster area.
Lidl’s 2018 investment programme includes the launch of 10 new stores in Fortunestown, Nenagh, Grangegorman, Sligo, Limerick, Castleknock, Birr, Castlerea, Northwood and Dunshaughlin.
Construction will be managed by Irish-owned building firm John Paul Construction.
The commencement of construction was marked by a sod turning ceremony performed by CEO of Kildare County Council, Peter Carey.
Carey welcomed Lidl's move and said, “Lidl’s decision to build a major new distribution centre here in Newbridge demonstrates its ongoing commitment to County Kildare where it opened its first distribution centre when it entered the Irish market 18 years ago.
"The local community will also benefit from the construction of a new relief road locally which Lidl has committed to as part of the development,” he added.
The project is also Lidl’s single largest investment in Ireland and will incorporate a range of sustainability initiatives to reduce its environmental impact.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
