AUTODOC opens new logistics center at Accolade park in Szczecin, Poland
In order to replenish inventories faster and increase production, the M40 now serves as a central replenishment warehouse for all AUTODOC distribution centers. Approximately 200,000 products and 15 million item numbers of Ridex and Stark private labels are stored here, and when needed, they are shipped to distribution centers in Berlin (A), Szczecin (M13, M10) and soon in Cheb (C27), reaching customers throughout Europe. The flow of goods is almost 1.5 million liters per day. Up to 400,000 goods are received from here every day, which are then distributed to other warehouses. "By leasing "M40", we have created space for further growth, gained flexibility and significantly expanded the range of our own brands. With increased and faster availability of our products, we can also provide a higher level of service to our customers." - says Sven Herrmann, Senior Vice President Supply Chain Management at AUTODOC.
With its latest investment in Poland, AUTODOC is continuing its success story in Szczecin, in cooperation with its long-time business partner Accolade, an international investor in industrial infrastructure. In 2018, AUTODOC opened its local transshipment center in the Załom-Kasztanowe district in close proximity to the A6 highway. In 2020, the M13 semi-automated distribution center was added to the serviced warehouse space. With the opening of the M40, Accolade simultaneously completed the construction of its largest logistics park in Poland with a leasable area of 230,000 sqm.
"This multi-phase warehouse complex is the largest park in our Polish portfolio and the second largest in Europe, surpassed only by the park in Cheb. Accolade is the largest investor in Szczecin in terms of warehouse space, and AUTODOC is our largest tenant. This is not only our joint success, but also the success of the city and the region. We can already see the positive impact of the investment on the region. Smart and environmentally friendly warehouse buildings have brought new life to a former industrial area. This has attracted many other world-class brands and resulted in the creation of 4,000 new jobs," said Lukas Repal, Chief Operating Officer, Accolade.
AUTODOC currently employs some 2,000 people from thirteen countries as warehouse and administrative staff at its logistics facility in Szczecin. Every day, an average of about 35,000 orders are processed here (at distribution centers M13 and M10), 140,000 products are picked and about 45,000 packages are shipped to customers throughout Europe. With a total investment of about €11 million, the Szczecin plant is now AUTODOC's most important logistics location.
"We are proud that AUTODOC, Europe's leading online retailer of vehicle spare parts, has chosen Szczecin as its logistics location. This is confirmed by the fact that more and more e-commerce companies see our country and especially our city as an attractive place to do business. As a large employer, AUTODOC makes a significant contribution to the creation of new jobs in the region and makes it even more livable for residents," says Marek Kubik, President of the Szczecin Metropolis Development Agency.
In addition, the company has been operating a logistics business in Berlin, in the Lichtenberg district, since 2010. In spring 2023, "C27," a new logistics facility in Cheb, Czech Republic, will open as another joint project with Accolade. It is estimated that 500 new jobs will be created there.
