C&C Unveils Logistics Super Hub in Heathrow

Posted by UK Property Forums on 6th March 2024 -

C&C Group, the UK’s largest [final-mile] drinks distributor and owners of the Tennent’s, Magners and Bulmers Ireland brands, and Matthew Clark, Bibendum Wine and Walker & Wodehouse, has unveiled its new London distribution depot, Orbital West, in Heathrow.

 The new flagship facility underlines C&C’s significant investment in increased capacity and commitment to industry-leading customer service for London and its iconic branded beer, cider, wine, spirits, and soft drinks portfolio. The move to Orbital West also significantly contributes to the Group’s broader carbon reduction programme and sustainability agenda. 

Orbital West brings greater efficiency to C&C’s distribution service in London and the surrounding areas. It provides a premium wine service, a dedicated picking team, and an enhanced racking system explicitly designed to support Bibendum’s premium wine proposition. 

The move to the 113,600 sq ft facility, which is 40% bigger than the previous London depot, forms a key part of C&C’s extensive network of depots across the UK and Ireland and is set to create several local job opportunities [in transport, logistics and administrative functions]. C&C is continuing its collaboration with Big Issue Recruit – a specialist employment service which supports people who face barriers to joining sustainable employment – to place candidates into transport and warehouse roles. 

Orbital West’s environmental credentials directly support C&C’s ESG strategy of ‘Delivering to a Better World’ and include: 

• Roof solar panels to provide 185,000 kWh per annum, equivalent to 30% of the consumption of the previous London depot 

• 19 internal combustion engine vehicles transitioning to HVO as a primary fuel, resulting in a reduction of over 350 tonnes of CO2 emissions from London operations 

• The introduction of zero-emission vehicles within the next two months, with 22 18-tonne electric HGVs 

• Electric charging stations for both HGVs and employee cars 

 

Andrea Pozzi, chief operating officer at C&C Group, commented: “The opening of Orbital West is an important milestone for our distribution platform in the UK. Our new depot is crucial for our growth plans, allowing us to streamline our operations through advanced technology which will enable us to service our customers in and around London more effectively. We are proud of the environmental initiatives we have invested in at Orbital West, which highlight the central role our depots play in our journey to become a carbon-neutral business and C&C’s ongoing commitment to minimise our impact on the environment and the communities in which we operate.” 

C&C Group’s distribution businesses in the UK include Bibendum Wine, Matthew Clark, Walker & Wodehouse, Tennent’s Wholesale in Scotland and Tennent’s NI in Northern Ireland. 

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