French-owned international retailer Auchan Retail is poised to increase its commercial capacity in Hungary with a new, integrated logistics centre at Üllő Airport Logistics Centre near Budapest. The 87,200 sqm, greenfield facility will be the largest of its kind ever built in Hungary and is being developed by Goodman. The new hub will be key to Auchan Retail’s strategy to develop a multi-channel offer for Hungarian customers.
Expected to open in late 2018, the new centre at Üllő will handle Auchan Retail Hungary’s food and non-food logistics for both existing and planned new stores, while also supporting the company’s online commerce countrywide.
Dominique Ducoux, CEO of Auchan Retail Hungary, said: ‘In addition to boosting our physical expansion plans, the new, integrated logistics base will also help our multi-channel commercial model in the long run. This is a multi-billion forint investment employing hundreds of people in the local area, which will provide an innovative and efficient platform for our business in Hungary. This integrated and centralized logistics hub enables us to provide excellent customer service at all our current and future stores in Hungary.
The facility will boast storage rooms at different temperature settings for the most favourable environment of all items, whether it’s fresh or frozen food, or textiles of homeware products. The new buildings are also suitable for implementing automated processes for packaging and transportation in order to create a more efficient supply chain for the benefit of Auchan customers.
Customers are not the only beneficiaries of the new logistics centre. Staff will also benefit from the modern design. Péter Boncsér, Director of Logistical Projects at Auchan Retail Hungary, said: “Besides creating modern logistical conditions at our new logistics headquarters, we paid particular attention to the comfort of our own and our logistical partners’ staff. We constructed a sun-drenched, comfortable and modern work environment. For example, our staff can use special relaxation rooms during their break where they can play table football, read or watch TV as well.”
Commenting on the development, István Kerekes, Country Manager of Goodman Hungary, said: “Goodman's own + develop + manage business model has proven to be successful again in delivering a high-quality logistics facility for our customers that will provide for their needs now and into the future. Goodman prides itself on understanding the local market while bringing more than 30 years of international industrial experience to our customers.”
Goodman’s current portfolio in Hungary comprises over 88,000 square metres of warehouse and office space in two locations – Gyál and Üllő. The Üllő Airport Logistics Centre, strategically located next to the M4 highway and M0 ring road is on the pan-European transport corridor to Ukraine, Romania and Serbia.
”When completed, this large-scale development project for Auchan will double the size of our Hungarian portfolio, along with capacity to develop a further 20,000 square metre facility for this key customer to allow them to expand further, concluded Mr Kerekes.
