A shortage of suitable staff in distribution centres is looming. Especially in the south of the Netherlands, companies are queuing up for workers. This is stated by Bram Verhoeven, director of real estate company Prologis, in the Telegraaf.
The shortage in the labour market can be explained by a growth in the number of distribution centres and the higher demands companies are placing on staff. Whereas previously employees only had to pack boxes, they are now also expected to perform additional services and operations. A clear example of this is the returns process, which raises the bar for DC staff. In addition, digitalisation demands more from employees.
Read also: Digitalisation requires different type of logistics property
Moreover, large companies are all moving their logistics operations to the same region. In Limburg and Brabant, distribution centres are sprouting up. Lidl, for example, is building a new distribution centre in Roosendaal, employing as many as 1,200 people. Bol.com is opening a DC in Waalwijk for which it wants to attract 1,000 employees. According to Verhoeven, employees on average do not want to travel more than 30 kilometres to work, which means that all companies are fishing in the same pond for staff. The market leader advises companies to consider the availability of labour when choosing a new location. "The availability of labour is now critical for a company to invest in new distribution centres."
Editorial LogistiekProfs
