Colruyt has commenced construction of a new 30,000 sq. m distribution centre in Ollignies, Belgium.
The semi-automated centre will be built on a plot of 18 hectares, along the N57 and the A8 route and will employ some 350 when it comes fully on-stream in February 2015.
The new €79 million DC will be primarily responsible for storing and distributing products with a high turnover such as drinks, milk, crisps and disposable paper products and has a capacity of 200,000 orders per day.
Colruyt said that the need for a new distribution centre was required due to increased store sales.
The site will contain a sorting and treatment centre for store waste materials such as cardboard and plastic pallets. It will also have its own workshops for the repair and maintenance of centre machinery.
'Despite the economic crisis, Colruyt Group continues to grow. This investment will allow us to continue our development and open new stores. The Ath/Lessen logistics center will contribute to the decongestion of distribution centers currently active in the interests of efficiency and safety', the retailer said.
The retailer received more than €15 million in grants from the Wallonian regional government to help fund the project.
© 2013 - ESM: European Supermarket Magazine by Ellen Lunney
