Waalwijk municipality can count on hundreds of extra jobs due to Bol.com's new automated distribution centre. Soon Bol.com expects to employ around a thousand workers.
The etail giant's new distribution centre will be commissioned in the second half of 2017. The building covers an area of 50,000 square metres. That should provide enough space for the time being, but due to the growth in recent years, Bol.com expects expansion to be necessary in two or three years' time. To realise that expansion, the Dutch online shopping giant has taken an option on an adjacent 8.3-hectare plot. This plot offers space for a building of the same size. Bol.com would then occupy 18 hectares in Waalwijk.
Now in and in the future, Bol.com is therefore hiring additional staff. "The new fulfilment centre will create around 1,000 jobs for Waalwijk and the surrounding area in the future." The online retailer says that Docdata, Bol.com's current fulfilment partner, will provide the staff and will support in day-to-day management.
Adjusting infrastructure
There is much to do about Bol.com's new distribution centre Earlier, the municipality of Waalwijk let it be known that measures would be taken on the routes to and from the distribution centre to prevent congestion in traffic. A large number of trucks are expected to drive in and out each 24-hour period, requiring the infrastructure in the area to be adjusted. This includes traffic lights from the exit on the A59 and widening the road leading directly to the distribution centre. This would now be far too narrow for trucks driving to the distribution centre. The measures cost EUR 2.8 million. After the work, the route will be suitable for about 1,000 traffic movements a 24-hour period.
Sustainable building
Last year, the distribution centre already won awards for its sustainable ambitions. Among other things, it uses wind turbines next to the centre for its energy supply. The building is also completely CO2-neutral, partly achieved through the use of heat and cold storage in combination with heat pumps. Captured rainwater is used to flush toilets and urinals. Employees arriving by electric car, scooter or bicycle can recharge them. Animals have also been considered by creating nesting boxes for various bird species, heated bat colonies and solitary bee hives.
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