The transport and logistics services provider Geodis has expanded its footprint in the Netherlands by opening a new 17,000 m2 warehouse in Almere and planning to add a 9,000 m2 facility in Venlo, in an effort to respond to the ongoing e-commerce boom.
The first site in Almere opened earlier in November, with the second one in Venlo projected to be operational in the coming weeks. Both sites will be equipped with latest automation technologies, according to Geodis.
Among them are autonomous mobile robots from Locus Robotics to support the picking process and reduce the physical demands on employees, by eliminating the need to pull pick carts and decreasing overall travel.
The two buildings have also a Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) ‘Good’ certification. BREEAM is a global sustainability assessment method for buildings, “which underlines Geodis’ dedication towards sustainable logistics.”
While awaiting the construction of its 130,000 m2 logistics campus at Trade Port Noord planned for the end of 2023, Geodis is investing in an additional capacity offering to accommodate the growth of its retail customers.
The French logistics company had another 16,000 m2 retail warehouse in Almere, which means that with the addition of the second one the capacity in this region has been doubled. “This expansion is needed since the pandemic has caused a significant overperformance of many of our current customers and to host our new customers,” commented Mark van den Assem, managing director of Geodis in the Benelux.
Retail in the Netherlands has grown by 6% in 2020 and another 1.5% in 2021, according to ING reports. Hence, “especially companies with an omnichannel approach are expected to increase their business even more,” pointed out van den Assem.
“In order to provide these multi-channel retailers with a long-term logistics solution at the highest possible service level and efficiency, additional warehousing space was needed,” he explained.
In addition, Thomas Kraus, president & CEO of Geodis North, East and Central Europe, stated that the expansion of the warehouse space in the Netherlands, “combined with our expertise in e-logistics” marks another important milestone towards the company’s growth ambitions.
Geodis has now almost 220,000 m2 of warehouses in the Netherlands, including Venlo, Amsterdam, Almere and Rotterdam.
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