FrieslandCampina has opened a new distribution centre in the Netherlands, which will store and transfer dairy products for export markets such as China, Hong Kong, Russia and Greece.
Located in Meppel, the 31,000-square-metre facility can accommodate 43,000 pallets and covers an area of about five football pitches.
FrieslandCampina began work on the unit in 2017 and it will replace the firm’s other Dutch distribution centres, located in Hoogeveen, Heerenveen and Veendam.
Meppel was selected because of its favourable location. From the site, dairy products can be transported straight to the port of Rotterdam by water. FrieslandCampina said the location is also easily accessible by road and provides good connections with the rest of the world.
Aside from annual efficiency savings, a reduction of 1.5 million transport kilometres will be achieved, equalling a reduction of CO2 emissions by 650,000kg.
The centre was opened by FrieslandCampina Ingredients president Kathy Fortmann, who said: “The distribution centre means a lot to FrieslandCampina and the neighbourhood. Meppel is a favourable, central location and easily accessible both by road and by water.
“The sustainable construction and more efficient transport makes a considerable contribution to the reduction of the CO2 emission.”
FrieslandCampina said it deploys external parties for the distribution and leases the distribution centre.
The announcement follows a series of acquisitions carried out by the dairy cooperative last month, including deals for Jana Foods, Millán Vicente and Best Cheese Corporation USA.
It also signed a mozzarella cheese contract manufacturing agreement with German dairy cooperative DMK Group.
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