NETHERLANDS – FrieslandCampina has inaugurated a new distribution center in Meppel, Netherlands to serve dairy customers in both local and international markets.

With a surface of 31,000 square metres, the distribution center will store and transfer dairy products produced at its distribution facilities in Beilen and Meppel, located in Netherlands.

It will serve as a strategic location for both local and export markets such as China, Hong Kong, Russia and Greece.

According to the company, the unit whose construction began in 2017, will replace other Dutch distribution centres, located in Hoogeveen, Heerenveen and Veendam.

The centre can accommodate 43,000 pallets, giving enough room to assume the role played by other distribution centers.

It is expected that apart from annual efficiency savings, a substantial reduction of 1.5 million transport kilometers will be achieved, which comes down to a reduction of CO2 emission by 650,000 kg

Strategic location

In view of the company, Meppel was strategically chosen given that products can be easily transported to the port of Rotterdam by water, which simplifies the chain.

The location is also easily accessible by road and provides good connections with the rest of the world, something that will enable the company handle more than 9,000 export containers and 8,000 truckloads annually.

The site will offer 35 jobs and complies with the latest requirements in the areas of food safety and fire safety.

FrieslandCampina said the center has obtained the BREAAM sustainability certification “Very Good” as it utilized sustainable building materials which makes it durable.

It is expected that apart from annual efficiency savings, a substantial reduction of 1.5 million transport kilometres will be achieved, which comes down to a reduction of CO2 emission by 650,000 kg.

This equals an annual saving of 28 households or driving a truck 37 times around the world, according to the company.

“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,” said FrieslandCampina Ingredients president Kathy Fortmann.