Action starts operations

Action started operations in its fourth French distribution centre (DC) on Monday 16 November 2020, creating a total of nine operational DCs. With this logistics platform in Verrières-en-Anjou in the Angers region, Action is taking a new step forward and equipping itself with the means to fulfil its ambitions on French territory by continuing store expansion and optimizing its distribution networkin the west of France.

Action CEO Sander van der Laan: "Our strong growth in France is closely related to our regional presence. This new DC meets our need to bring the distribution centre closer to our stores. This fourth French DC will create many jobs for the region." 

The project has received the support of the Angers Loire Métropole economic development agency. The project owner was supported by the Belgian architectural agency ABETEC and the Supply Chain Management consultancy DIAGMA. For the operation of the distribution centre, Action chose to work with Kuehne + Nagel, a leading logistics partner in the distribution sector already active in the Action distribution centre in Belleville.

A project based on an environmental and sustainable approach
Located in the Océane business park, north-east of Angers, the platform is directly accessible via the Paris/Nantes highway, which gives it a major advantage in terms of quickly reaching its catchment area. It is also located 10 minutes from Angers city center, accessible by TGV.

The warehouse part is made up of 8 traditional storage cells, two hazardous goods cells and a packaging cell, for a total floor area of 70,000 m². Offices and technical premises complete the complex. The roof has been designed to accommodate a photovoltaic system. The building will be labelled BREEAM Good. In the coming months, the entire roof will be equipped with solar panels, which will provide the grid with more energy than the DC needs.

The new distribution centre is directly in line with Action's social responsibility strategy based on four key pillars: product, people, environment and citizenship. Throughout the supply chain, the company is investing in solutions to save energy, reduce CO² emissions and improve the quality of the working environment. The DC is based on equipment and processes that have already proved their worth in the Action distribution and logistics network, including the use of double-deck trucks, which can carry 60% more goods than a conventional truck.