What is remarkable about the new building is that it is smaller than the building it replaces (5,000 m² compared to 7,000 m²), but it is more efficient. Ollignies 2 has 35,000 bins and is equipped with an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) that brings goods to a pick station, where an employee transfers them to a bin destined for the relevant store. According to Jannis Huybrechts, project manager, this system is both more ergonomic and efficient: “The warehouse will have a higher throughput thanks to the shuttles. With only three-quarters of the space, we are tripling the productivity of the order picking process, including preparation."

The location will be suitable for the use of various green energy sources. On one hand, the existing wind turbine produces 2 MW of energy. Currently, five additional wind turbines are being installed, one of which will be directly connected to Ollignies 2. Secondly, the electrical installation will be expanded to accommodate the gradual arrival of electric trucks: two additional transformers can be added to the 1,600 kVA transformers that supply power to the building. Finally, the intention is that the building can eventually be connected to hydrogen. Starting this fall, the Ollignies site will have its own DATS 24 hydrogen filling station.

Job Offers at Colruyt Group