VF Corporation, through its local subsidiary VF Northern Europe Limited, announced it has begun operations at its new multimillion-dollar fulfillment center in Bardon, Leicestershire, England employing approximately 250 people during peak periods.
The new 600,000-square-foot center will feature automation capabilities for footwear and apparel enable the company to provide more efficient distribution services for its brands’ wholesale, e-commerce and retail customers in the UK to “serve almost 90 percent of the market within a day. Speed and efficiency are the center’s core attributes with the direct flow of parcel shipments having a capacity of 200,000 units per day, in addition to 18 stations with the capacity to pick 170,000 units per day,” VF said in a statement.
The new center builds on VF’s investment in the UK in the past two years. In 2019, VF Axtell House launched its new business hub, followed by the opening of VF’s Timberland and Vans flagship stores in London.
The new center reflects VF’s sustainability commitments. The building features systems to reduce its impact on the surrounding environment. A number of green technologies including low water usage fittings and electric solar gain devices were installed to reduce energy and heat waste. The building design has also achieved a BREEAM ‘Outstanding Rating’.
Martino Scabbia Guerrini, VF’s president of the EMEA Region commented: “We are extremely proud to mark the opening of the VF’s most technologically advanced fulfillment center in the region. This exciting new development, which supports the evolution of our supply chain business model, bolsters our UK presence, our number one market in EMEA. It also underlines our commitment to being a consumer-minded, retail-centric and hyper-digital enterprise as part of our company transformation and long-term growth strategy.”
Darren Miller, VF’s vice president, supply chain EMEA, added: “Expanding into this prime location will allow us to further strengthen our operations to ensure we can continue a high-quality service to our many retail and e-commerce customers across the UK. Investing in cutting-edge and technologically advanced equipment also allows us to integrate our online and in-store operations, reducing lead times and driving efficiencies to meet customer demand more effectively.”
Matthew Hibberd, director of distribution, commented: “In line with VF’s ‘people first’ culture, the new center has been designed with employees welfare in mind. It offers a safe and comfortable working environment, with open space and breakout areas for colleagues to collaborate and meet informally. In addition, there is an onsite canteen and gym, to encourage a healthy work-life balance.”
Photo courtesy VF
