PLUS can get to work fitting out its new central distribution centre in Oss. The building is ready, now the mechanisation can begin. This brings the supermarket chain one step closer to its final goal: a hypermodern DC to replace the four existing centres.
Construction company Van de Ven from Veghel started construction of the DC about a year ago. The building is 46,000 square metres in size, 29.25 metres high and stands on a 19 football field site. There are 92 loading doors to bring in freight and transport it back to the shops. Eventually, this location should replace the current four distribution centres in Haaksbergen, Middenbeemster, Hendrik Ido Ambacht and Ittervoort and take care of the delivery of all groceries to the 270 PLUS supermarkets.
The building was built according to the BREEAM methodology. Nine aspects are used to test how sustainable a building is. Among other things, 11,000 solar panels ensure that PLUS may use the highest design certificate 'Outstanding'. Almost 12,000 infiltration crates in the ground ensure even water drainage, there is a tank for tens of thousands of litres of rainwater - so that less mains water needs to be used - and a heavy-duty heat pump for energy saving.
More clout
Rowell Versleijen, Logistics Director of PLUS: "With the completion of the distribution centre to PLUS, we are another step closer to our final goal. A state-of-the-art distribution centre that will give us even more clout in the future."
Mechanisation partner Witron will now get to work fitting out the DC. PLUS aims to replace heavy processes with the mechanisation and achieve efficiency gains. At the end of 2022/beginning of 2023, the distribution centre will be commissioned step by step.
