Building in Poland: the construction of a distribution centre
Highlights of this project
In addition to the client’s wish to be able to store some 62,000 pallets – 4,000 of which in hazardous goods compartments – sustainability was also high on the agenda. The DC is therefore equipped with, among other things, charging stations for electric cars, extensive facilities for staff coming by bicycle (parking, showering, lockers), water heated by solar energy, extra insulation and a roof that is fully prepared for solar cells. As a result, the Breeam certificate ‘very good’ has been issued.
The return flows from the shops are efficiently processed on a mezzanine above the docks. The waste is separated with compactors installed for plastics, cardboard and other waste.
Of the 600 employees working in shifts in the building, some work in the adjoining office building. This office is not only a workplace focused on the operation, but also the control point for 24/7 monitoring of e.g. access control, barriers, camera security, fire alarm and the sprinkler system.
The flow of goods has been paramount in the design. Outside, separate roads for trucks and passenger transport have been constructed, customer trucks have a different entrance than trucks from suppliers and transporters, and space has been set up for parking any maintenance services without obstructing the flow of goods.
There are also, in addition to a separate secure space, own docks for hazardous substances.
Internally, best practices from other DCs have been applied: for instance, the building has been designed in such a way that the Material Handling Equipment (e.g. reach trucks) can make optimal use of the work floor, an optimal storage height and capacity has been achieved in combination with applicable sprinkler regulations and the line marking and collision protection plan ensures that work can be carried out safely.