Picnic will open a 33,000 m² distribution center (DC) for fruit and vegetables at business park Hogeweide in Geldermalsen in early March. From this new location, fresh products will be delivered to Picnic's own distribution centers in the Netherlands, Germany, and France, giving the online supermarket more control over the supply chain and further improving the freshness of its products. Picnic will collaborate with partners in the DC, including Everest Groenten & Fruit.
On March 3, Picnic's distribution centers will receive their first deliveries from Geldermalsen. Capacity will be gradually increased, and the DC is expected to provide employment for 100 to 150 people from the region. Soon, Picnic will begin recruiting and hiring order pickers, junior team leads, and quality specialists.
Full control over operations
"Especially with fruit and vegetables, quality is extremely important," says Picnic co-founder Michiel Muller. "Conditions must be optimal to deliver perfect products. It's great that in Geldermalsen, we have everything in our own hands, which shortens the supply chain and allows us to guarantee even higher quality. The different storage zones also enable us to keep each product at the ideal temperature." The facility will be Picnic's largest fruit and vegetable distribution center. Here, the company will work directly with Everest Groenten & Fruit, a subsidiary of Edeka, the German supermarket chain that is also an investor in Picnic.
The new facility has been designed to the highest sustainability standards and has achieved the BREEAM 'Excellent' certificate. A key feature of the distribution center is the use of 100% circular steel, which helps minimize its ecological impact. Additionally, the entire roof is covered with solar panels to generate sustainable energy, and the building has been fitted with an extra insulating shell, resulting in an insulation value above the legal standard. Special attention has also been given to green spaces around the building, ensuring they blend into the environment while promoting local biodiversity.
Source: Picnic