Lidl has unveiled its largest global warehouse in Luton, marking a significant milestone for the company in Great Britain.
- The £300m investment will create 1,500 new jobs in the local community.
- The warehouse spans 1.2 million square feet, serving over 150 stores.
- This facility is Lidl GB’s first to feature automation.
- Sustainability was a core focus, with solar panels and a bio-gas-fuelled fleet.
Lidl has made a strategic move by inaugurating its largest global warehouse in the Houghton Regis area of Luton. This newly opened regional distribution centre represents a substantial £300 million investment and is poised to generate up to 1,500 jobs for the local community. It spans an impressive 1.2 million square feet and is set to deliver over 9,400 pallets per day across 150 stores, a significant increase compared to its other distribution centres, which typically service between 60 to 80 stores.
The facility is the first in Great Britain to introduce automation, a step that will enable Lidl to store more goods with increased efficiency at this distribution centre. This development is expected to meet the growing demand from customers while also expanding the company’s capacity to handle future demands.
In terms of sustainability, the warehouse has been designed with cutting-edge features, including solar panels capable of generating 2,000,000 kWh of electricity annually. During specific periods of the year, the warehouse will operate solely on solar power, underscoring Lidl’s commitment to sustainable practices. Furthermore, all delivery vehicles associated with the facility are powered by bio gas derived from food waste, supporting Lidl’s ambition to have a diesel-free fleet by 2030.
Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s Chief Development Officer, described the opening of the Luton distribution centre as a “seminal moment” for the company, highlighting its role in meeting customer demand and the ambition to grow that demand. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, also praised the investment, seeing it as a testament to the UK’s favourable economic conditions for business growth.
Lidl’s new warehouse is a remarkable achievement that underscores its commitment to growth and sustainability in the UK.
