Lidl has opened a state-of-the-art warehouse in Houghton Regis, Luton, marking a significant £300m investment.
- The impressive facility spans 1.2 million square feet and will service 150 stores, enhancing operational capacity.
- It introduces automation, a first for Lidl in the UK, to boost storage and distribution efficiency.
- The warehouse prioritises sustainability with solar panels generating 2 million kWH annually and a bio gas-fueled fleet.
- This investment aligns with Lidl’s strategic vision to meet growing consumer demand and expand its market presence.
Lidl has made a substantial investment of £300 million in opening its largest warehouse globally, located in the Houghton Regis area of Luton. The facility, covering an expansive 1.2 million square feet, is set to create up to 1,500 jobs, benefiting the local community significantly. Its role as a regional distribution centre enhances Lidl’s ability to deliver over 9,400 pallets daily across 150 stores. Comparatively, its existing centres handle between 60 to 80 stores, showcasing a major scale-up in logistics capabilities.
The Houghton Regis site is Lidl’s first warehouse in Great Britain equipped with automation. This technological advancement enables increased storage capacities and optimises the distribution processes. Such infrastructure is crucial in managing growing consumer demands efficiently and sustainably.
Sustainability is integrated into the warehouse’s design, with solar panels installed to generate approximately 2 million kWH of electricity each year. During certain periods, the warehouse operates entirely on solar power. Beyond this, Lidl’s commitment to environment-friendly logistics is reflected in its fleet, which runs on bio gas derived from food waste, aligning with its goal to eliminate diesel from its transportation operations by 2030.
Richard Taylor, Lidl GB’s Chief Development Officer, emphasised the significance of this new distribution centre, noting the facility’s embodiment of Lidl’s growth ambitions and capability to meet increasing customer demand. “The opening of this new RDC in Luton is a seminal moment for Lidl GB,” Taylor remarked, highlighting the strategic importance of the site.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, commended Lidl’s investment, seeing it as a positive development amidst economic strategies aimed at reducing inflation and expanding the economy. “It’s fantastic to see Lidl investing in the UK and creating thousands more well-paid jobs,” Hunt commented, acknowledging the broader economic impacts.
Lidl’s new warehouse embodies a strategic advancement in operational capacity, sustainability, and job creation, reflecting its commitment to growth and innovation.
