Location: An outstanding distribution center is located in a strategic location that is close to its target markets and transportation hubs. This helps to minimize transportation costs and ensure that products can be delivered to customers quickly and efficiently.
Design: The design of an outstanding distribution center is efficient and functional. The layout of the facility should be designed to minimize the distance that products have to travel, and the equipment should be used in a way that maximizes productivity.
Technology: An outstanding distribution center uses state-of-the-art technology to automate processes and improve efficiency. This includes technologies such as robotics, barcode scanning, and real-time inventory tracking.
People: The employees of an outstanding distribution center are well-trained and motivated. They are essential to the efficient operation of the facility, and they play a key role in ensuring that customers receive their orders on time and in good condition.
Processes: The processes in an outstanding distribution center are well-defined and efficient. This means that products can be received, stored, picked, and shipped quickly and accurately.
Metrics: An outstanding distribution center tracks its performance against key metrics such as order accuracy, on-time delivery, and inventory turnover. This information is used to identify areas for improvement and make continuous adjustments to the operation of the facility.
Distribution Center functionality:
Purpose: Stores and distributes goods
Location: Near major transportation hubs
Technology: Automation, robotics, etc.
Services: Order fulfillment, kitting, assembly
Choosing the right distribution center for your business in North America is essential for success. Consider factors such as location, labor costs, transportation, and taxes to find the best location for your distribution needs
This 1.2 million square foot facility is one of Walmart's largest distribution centers in the United States. It is designed to be highly efficient, with a focus on energy efficiency and sustainability.
Name: Walmart Distribution Center in Plainfield, Indiana
Year Built: 2020
Location: 100 Distribution Center Drive, Plainfield, Indiana 46168
Size: 1.2 million square feet
Architect: The Haskell Company
Receiving dock location and quantity: 10 loading bays
Storage area location, size, and quantity: 100,000 pallet positions
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: High-speed picking and packing area
Shipping dock location and quantity: 12 loading bays
Returns area location, size, and quantity: 5 loading bays
Manufacturers that use the distribution center: A variety of manufacturers, including Procter & Gamble, Kraft Heinz, and Unilever
Retailers that use the distribution center to stock their shelves: Walmart, Sam's Club, and Neighborhood Market
Employees employed by the distribution center: Over 1,000
Tax revenue generated by the distribution center for the local government: Millions of dollars each year
Name of local government: Hendricks County, Indiana
in Reno, Nevada. This state-of-the-art facility uses Amazon's innovative robotics technology to sort and deliver packages more efficiently. The center is also designed to be highly energy efficient, using LED lighting and natural ventilation.
Name: Amazon Robotics Fulfillment Center
Year Built: 2021
Location: 8000 N Virginia St 1475, Reno, NV 89506
Size: 1.4 million square feet
Architect: Panattoni Development Co.
Receiving dock location and quantity: One receiving dock with 12 loading bays
Storage area location, size, and quantity: Three storage areas with a total size of 1 million square feet
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: One picking and packing area with a size of 200,000 square feet
Shipping dock location and quantity: Two shipping docks with 16 loading bays
Returns area location, size, and quantity: One returns area with a size of 100,000 square feet
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Amazon, Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe's
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 2,000
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $10 million per year
Name of local government: City of Reno
in Memphis, Tennessee. This 1.3 million square foot facility is a major hub for FedEx Ground's ground transportation network. It is one of the largest and most technologically advanced ground transportation hubs in the world.
Name: FedEx Ground Gateway Facility in Memphis, Tennessee
Year Built: 2018
Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Size: 1.3 million square feet
Architect: HKS Architects
Receiving dock location and quantity: The receiving dock is located on the north side of the facility and has 10 docks.
Storage area location, size, and quantity: The storage area is located in the center of the facility and is 1 million square feet in size. It has 100,000 pallet positions.
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: The picking and packing area is located in the south side of the facility and is 200,000 square feet in size. It has 500 conveyors and 1,000 sortation machines.
Shipping dock location and quantity: The shipping dock is located on the east side of the facility and has 12 docks.
Returns area location, size, and quantity: The returns area is located on the west side of the facility and is 100,000 square feet in size. It has 50,000 pallet positions.
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Some of the manufacturers that use the FedEx Ground Gateway Facility in Memphis, Tennessee include Nike, Adidas, and Walmart.
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Some of the retailers that use the FedEx Ground Gateway Facility in Memphis, Tennessee to stock their shelves include Target, Home Depot, and Best Buy.
Employees employed by the Distribution center: The FedEx Ground Gateway Facility in Memphis, Tennessee employs over 2,000 people.
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: The FedEx Ground Gateway Facility in Memphis, Tennessee generates over $100 million in tax revenue for the local government each year.
Name of local government: The local government that receives the tax revenue from the FedEx Ground Gateway Facility in Memphis, Tennessee is the City of Memphis.
The best distribution centers in Africa are strategically located to serve growing markets, use innovative technology to improve efficiency, and are committed to sustainability. Learn more about these state-of-the-art facilities and how they are transforming the logistics industry in Africa.
This distribution center was awarded the 2018 Africa Supply Chain Award for Best Distribution Center. It is a state-of-the-art facility that uses innovative technology to improve efficiency and sustainability. The center is designed to be energy efficient, with features such as solar panels and rainwater harvesting. It also uses a fleet of electric vehicles to reduce emissions.
Name: Shoprite Distribution Center, South Africa
Year Built: 2017
Location: Centurion, Gauteng Province, South Africa
Size: 1 million square feet
Architect: Aurecon
Receiving dock location and quantity: 10 docks
Storage area location, size, and quantity: 3 separate storage areas: chilled, frozen, and ambient. Each storage area is 250,000 square feet.
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: 100,000 square feet
Shipping dock location and quantity: 10 docks
Returns area location, size, and quantity: 50,000 square feet
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, OK, and other Shoprite Group brands
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Shoprite, Checkers, Usave, OK, and other Shoprite Group stores
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 1,000
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $10 million per year
Name of local government: City of Tshwane
This distribution center was awarded the 2020 Africa Supply Chain Award for Best Distribution Center in West Africa. It is a highly efficient facility that uses innovative technology to reduce costs and improve customer service. The center is equipped with a high-tech conveyor system that moves products quickly and efficiently. It also has a state-of-the-art warehouse management system that tracks inventory and orders in real time.
Name: Coca-Cola Distribution Center, Nigeria
Year Built: 2020
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Size: 100,000 square feet
Architect: Nigerian Bottling Company
Receiving dock location and quantity: One receiving dock
Storage area location, size, and quantity: Two storage areas, each 50,000 square feet
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: One picking and packing area, 20,000 square feet
Shipping dock location and quantity: One shipping dock
Returns area location, size, and quantity: One returns area, 10,000 square feet
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, and other Coca-Cola brands
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Major retailers in Nigeria, including Shoprite, Game, and Spar
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 100 employees
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $1 million per year
Name of local government: Lagos State Government
This distribution centre was awarded the 2020 LEAF Awards for Sustainable Architecture. It is a large, energy-efficient distribution centre that serves SPAR stores across Namibia. The facility is designed to minimize its environmental impact, and it uses solar power, rainwater harvesting, and energy-efficient lighting.
Name: SPAR Distribution Centre, Namibia
Year Built: 2020
Location: Windhoek, Namibia
Size: 100,000 square feet
Architect: Green Architects
Receiving dock location and quantity: One dock located on the north side of the building
Storage area location, size,and quantity: Two storage areas located on the east and west sides of the building, each with a size of 50,000 square feet
Picking and packing area location, size,and quantity: One picking and packing area located in the center of the building, with a size of 20,000 square feet
Shipping dock location and quantity: Two docks located on the south side of the building
Returns area location, size,and quantity: One returns area located on the west side of the building, with a size of 10,000 square feet
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: SPAR, Coca-Cola, Unilever, Nestle
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: SPAR, Shoprite, Pick n Pay
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 100
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $1 million per year
Name of local government: City of Windhoek
Looking to expand your business into Asia? Choosing the right distribution center is essential for success. Here are the key factors to consider when selecting a distribution center in Asia, according to experts.
in South Korea is a state-of-the-art distribution center that is designed to meet the company's growing demand for semiconductors. The center uses a variety of technologies to improve efficiency and security, such as automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and biometric access control. The center has won the Global Warehouse Innovation Award in 2021.
Name: Samsung Electronics' Semiconductor Distribution Center
Year Built: 2021
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Size: 1 million square feet
Architect: Samsung Engineering
Receiving dock location and quantity: 1 dock, 20 bays
Storage area location, size, and quantity: 100,000 square feet, 10,000 pallets
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: 50,000 square feet, 500 workstations
Shipping dock location and quantity: 2 docks, 40 bays
Returns area location, size, and quantity: 10,000 square feet, 1,000 returns
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, Intel, TSMC
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 1,000
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $10 million annually
Name of local government: Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
in Singapore is a green distribution center that is designed to reduce its environmental impact. The center uses solar panels to generate electricity, and it has a rainwater harvesting system that collects rainwater for irrigation and toilet flushing. The center has won the Green Building Award in Singapore in 2020.
Name: DB Schenker Distribution Center Singapore
Year Built: 2019
Location: Singapore
Size: 100,000 square feet
Architect: DP Architects
Receiving dock location and quantity: One receiving dock
Storage area location, size, and quantity: Two storage areas, each 50,000 square feet
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: One picking and packing area, 25,000 square feet
Shipping dock location and quantity: One shipping dock
Returns area location, size, and quantity: One returns area, 10,000 square feet
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Swarovski, Hugo Boss, LVMH
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Sephora, Harvey Nichols, Marks & Spencer
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 200
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $10 million per year
Name of local government: Singapore government
in Malaysia is a high-tech distribution center that is designed to meet the company's growing demand for e-commerce fulfillment. The center uses a variety of technologies to improve efficiency and accuracy, such as automated picking and packing systems, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The center has won the Supply Chain Asia Award for Supply Chain Distribution Centre Innovation in 2019.
Name: CEVA Logistics' Distribution Center in Malaysia
Year Built: 2018
Location: Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia
Size: 316,000 square feet
Architect: AECOM
Receiving dock location and quantity: One dock at the front of the building
Storage area location, size, and quantity: Two storage areas, one for ambient goods and one for chilled goods, each with a size of 150,000 square feet
Picking and packing area location, size, and quantity: One picking and packing area with a size of 50,000 square feet
Shipping dock location and quantity: Two docks at the back of the building
Returns area location, size, and quantity: One returns area with a size of 25,000 square feet
Manufacturers that use the Distribution center: Honeywell Aerospace Trading, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Nestle
Retailers that use the Distribution center to stock their shelves: Lazada, Shopee, Amazon, Walmart
Employees employed by the Distribution center: 500
Tax revenue generated by the Distribution center for the local government: $10 million per year
Name of local government: Shah Alam City Council