Miebach designs Global Distribution Center for Barry Callebaut – which is recognized with Foreign Investment Trophy
Barry Callebaut, the world's largest manufacturer of cocoa and chocolate products, intends to centralize its global logistics activities in Lokeren, Belgium in a 60,000 m² facility. The plans for the new distribution center for Barry Callebaut have already been recognized with the Foreign Investment Trophy, as the best foreign investment in Flanders. The Belgium real estate investor WDP will develop this unique, logistics warehouse site together with a strong network of partners, including Miebach Consulting.
Miebach Consulting supported Barry Callebaut from strategy to implementation: first with a feasibility and make-or-buy study in order to evaluate the best option for the company's centralization plans, followed by developing the design of the new distribution center, supporting the tender phase and investor selection. Now Miebach is supporting the implementation phase. Completion is planned for the summer of 2021.
The new logistics complex will be fully on par with Barry Callebaut's ambitious "Forever Chocolate" sustainability strategy - it will be built with the highest standards for sustainable developments, it will be energy-neutral and consist of the latest logistics technology including a completely automated high bay warehouse with 40 meters in height.
By centralizing the storage of all packaged chocolate, the efficiency of the flow of goods will be optimized. The new warehouse will be fully equipped with, amongst others, solar panels, geothermal energy, charging stations for electric vehicles and facilities for cyclists. In addition, it will also have a direct connection to the port of Antwerp for global distribution.
Masha Vis-Mertens, VP Operations and Supply Chain Organization at Barry Callebaut, says, "this award recognizes the hard work put in by the entire project team and the unique partnership we have with our partners, WDP and the city of Lokeren. The warehouse will allow us to make our operations more efficient and improve our service. From the distribution center in Lokeren we will be able to stock our packaged products and have them shipped across the world. In other words, it is our window to the future and through it, we will continue to share our passion and expertise for Belgian chocolate with the rest of the world."
Marc Meuleman, Managing Director of Miebach Consulting Benelux adds, "Excellence in Logistics is a competitive advantage and an enabler for realizing strategic targets. For this, the new distribution center will be one key ingredient and is designed to meet the requirements for additional volume growth. All processes are set-up to perfectly match the demands of Barry Callebaut's customers, enabling high service levels and highest efficiency and quality in worldwide delivery".
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