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M&S Launches new distribution centre in Bradford

Marks and Spencer

20 July 2010

Marks & Spencer (M&S) today officially opens its new 1.1 million sq ft distribution centre on ProLogis Park Bradford, just off the M606. The centre will be opened by Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman of Marks & Spencer, and the Leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Ian Greenwood.
The largest warehouse in the M&S network and one of the biggest in the UK, it will serve all M&S stores with furniture products and store equipment (e.g. racking) and, next year, ambient food (non-refrigerated food, e.g. biscuits, cereal, tins).
The centre took 205 working days to build and will employ over 1,200 people when it is fully operational. It has been developed with Plan A (M&S’ eco and ethical plan) in mind. The building is carbon neutral, has achieved BREEAM (the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings) Excellent and M&S has invested in a nature programme surrounding the site which has seen nearly 400 native trees planted, the creation of two ponds and new wetland areas.
Darrell Stein, M&S’ Logistics and IT Director, said: “This is an exciting day for our business. Bradford will deliver better service and better availability for our customers and it is a key part of our strategy to prepare our supply chain for the future. As an area, Bradford has fantastic transport links, a rich pool of resource and talent and has provided us with the support to deliver a facility to be proud of. We’re delighted to be here and look forward to a bright future in West Yorkshire.”
Councillor David Green, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, said: “We welcome the launch of the Marks & Spencer distribution centre and acknowledge that the official opening of the first site at ProLogis Park represents an important landmark in the district’s regeneration.
“This site will provide hundreds of jobs for residents, contribute millions of pounds to our economy over many years and act as a catalyst for further growth.
“Marks & Spencer’s choice of Bradford is clear evidence of the district’s ability to provide the infrastructure and skills required by market-leading businesses.”
The warehouse is part of ProLogis Park, a 90 acre business site that is currently being developed by ProLogis, the world’s biggest developer of distribution warehouses. Construction work was carried out by Northampton-based Winvic and operations are being run by logistics specialist Wincanton. A quarter of the building's materials were sourced locally. This includes the steel frame and the rain water tank which were both manufactured in Bradford.
Facts about the new Bradford distribution centre …

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Further information and images …
Marks & Spencer – Daniel Himsworth
daniel.himsworth@marks-and-spencer.com
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