Picnic continues to invest in its distribution network. The fast-growing online supermarket will open its own distribution centre for fruit and vegetables in early March. From this 33,000-square-metre building in Geldermalsen, fresh products will be delivered to its own distribution centres in the Netherlands, Germany and France. By taking full control of distribution, Picnic gains more control over the chain. This should further improve the freshness of the products.
Online supermarket Picnic will open a distribution centre for fruit and vegetables at Geldermalsen business park Hogeweide in early March. On 3 March, Picnic's distribution centres will be delivered from Geldermalsen for the first time. The capacity is slowly being increased, which means the DC will eventually provide employment for 100 to 150 people from the region. Soon, Picnic will start recruiting and hiring order pickers, junior team leads and quality specialists.
Everything in its own hands
"Especially with fruit and vegetables, quality is hugely important," says Picnic co-founder Michiel Muller. "Conditions have to be optimal to deliver the perfect products. It's great that we have everything under our own control in Geldermalsen, which shortens the chain and allows us to guarantee even higher quality. The different cells also allow us to give each product the best temperature." The distribution centre will be Picnic's largest fruit and vegetable distribution centre. There, the company will work directly with Everest Groenten & Fruit, part of German supermarket chain Edeka, which is also an investor in Picnic.
100 per cent circular steel
The new building was designed according to the highest sustainability requirements and achieves BREEAM Excellent certification. A key feature of the distribution centre is the use of 100 per cent circular steel, which contributes to minimising its ecological impact. In addition, the entire roof of the building is fitted with solar panels to generate sustainable energy and the entire building has been given an extra insulating shell, resulting in an insulation value above the legal standard. Much attention has been paid to greenery around the building, ensuring better integration into the surroundings and stimulating local biodiversity.
