Yusen Logistics has officially opened its new Sustainable Distribution Centre in Northampton, UK, adding nearly 111,000 square metres of automated warehousing capacity to its logistics network.
The 1.2 million-square-foot facility has 236,000 pallet positions and combines warehouse automation with low-carbon infrastructure. It has been operational since June, with the official opening ceremony taking place in September.
Around 150 people are expected to work at the site.
Automation supports large-scale logistics operations
The Northampton centre is designed as a multi-user facility, providing logistics services for sectors including e-commerce, retail, healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
Its automated systems include Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and four-way pallet shuttles. Temperature-controlled areas are also available for healthcare and pharmaceutical operations.
Yusen Logistics said the combination of automation and digital technologies will allow the facility to handle increasingly complex supply chains while providing customers with scalable warehousing capacity.
“The Sustainable Distribution Centre has been developed to meet the evolving needs of customers and global supply chains,” said David Evans, Managing Director of Yusen Logistics UK.
Road and rail connections support distribution
The facility is located close to Junction 15 of the M1 and also has access to rail freight connections, providing links for domestic and wider supply chain operations.
Sustainability features include solar power generation, rainwater harvesting, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and other low-carbon technologies. The building has achieved a BREEAM Outstanding rating.
Yusen Logistics said the centre was developed with a net-zero carbon design and is intended to combine lower environmental impact with efficient logistics operations.
The investment expands the company’s presence in the UK while adding significant capacity to its European warehousing network. Yusen Logistics Europe currently operates more than 140 facilities across 17 countries.
