IKEA opens first Irish DC
The logistics facility in Rathcoole, Co. Dublin is operated by longstanding IKEA service provider, Wincanton.
THE NEW multi-million-euro DC, employing over 200 people, will reduce delivery times to three days. The distribution centre is over 27,000 sq m, and has a storage capacity of 20,000 cubic metres.
IKEA expects the distribution centre to be making more than 300,000 deliveries in the first year of operation, with that figure almost doubling to nearly 600,000 within five years. Eventually the plan is to be able to deliver up to three million items a year from the centre.
The building is said to be one of the most sustainable and energy-efficient logistics facilities in Ireland. It has a Building Energy Rating (BER) of A2 and includes rainwater harvesting and roof-based solar panels. To support the transition to zero emission deliveries, IKEA has established an extensive electric vehicle charging network at the distribution centre, comprising of three rapid charge points for quick top-ups and 20 overnight charging points for full recharges.
Deliveries will be carried out by XPO Logistics, supporting IKEA on its journey to only deliver by zero-emission vehicles.
