JYSK reports major milestone in construction of automated distribution centre in the Netherlands

Home furnishing retailer JYSK says that it has reached a milestone in the construction of its new distribution centre in Lelystad, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands with the first column now erected.

Building work on the 147,000 square metre, automated facility, located close to a temporary centre at Lelystad, near Amsterdam in the Netherlands, began last summer.

On Tuesday, 5th November, the construction team held a ceremony with the placement of the first column to symbolise the start of the vertical construction. JYSK representatives placed the column together with local officials such as the mayor of Lelystad, Mieke Baltus. Over 100 guests, including all employees from the temporary distribution centre, were in attendance.

"This is truly a milestone we have all been looking forward to. We are now seeing the first outlines of what will become our high tech distribution centre. This is not only an important moment in construction but a great achievement for everyone involved," says Rob Deinum, Project & Technical Manager at JYSK.

“The distribution centre here in Lelystad supports the global growth we are experiencing at JYSK. We want to continue our successful expansion, and this ceremony marks the successes we have had so far, while also giving us the opportunity to celebrate with our dedicated employees and business partners,” says Ole Thomsen, Executive Vice President Logistics at JYSK.

The new DC will feature two high-bay warehouses with a total of 166,000 pallet locations, serviced by 21 cranes, as well as 70,000 box locations in the shuttle warehouse. Additionally, it will have 32 inbound and 105 outbound loading docks.

JYSK is aiming to achieve the highest level of international sustainability certification, LEED. To reach this, the site of the distribution centre will be landscaped with plants and open water for rainwater collection.

The office will have a roof garden, and the lower parts of the building will have green roofs, and solar panels will generate part of the electricity being used.

From this new facility, JYSK will supply stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Additionally, online orders will be shipped directly from it, with the aim of significantly reducing delivery times for customers.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2026, and the DC will provide employment for more than 250 people.

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Supply chain technology is a key focus area for the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, which are now closed for entries.

The awards, sponsored by Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London.