PLUS may not build a central distribution centre in Tiel after all. The supermarket chain is looking for alternatives, e.g. in Oss, due to the building permit not being granted.
So says PLUS when announcing its 2018 annual figures. The mass retailer had planned to locate a central and 'extensively mechanised' distribution centre in Tiel, where from 2020 all logistics activities for long-life products would be housed. The four current regional distribution centres for long-life products, in Haaksbergen, Middenbeemster, Hendrik Ido Ambacht and Ittervoort, had to close their doors.
No building permit for Tiel
However, following an appeal procedure, the zoning plan for this new distribution centre has been suspended. The municipality of Tiel cannot now grant PLUS a building permit. "As this will cause a considerable delay in the planning, PLUS has carried out extensive research into various alternatives," explains the retail chain.
The municipality of Oss is mentioned as an alternative location. PLUS is currently investigating with the municipality whether the new distribution centre can be realised there.
Drop in net profit PLUS
Plus closed 2018 with a net profit of 8.1 million euros. That is down 21.4 per cent from last year's 10.3 million euros. Operating EBITDA rose 6.8 per cent to 92.4 million euros. At the same time, costs rose by 4.1 million euros, mainly due to higher staff costs.
Delay ERP system
A setback was the implementation of a new ERP system. Because its realisation was more complex than expected, PLUS decided in 2018 to take a break to evaluate the process. According to the supermarket, this gave rise to one-off additional depreciation costs of EUR 18 million, which reduced the operating result.
