German retailer Lidl, has built a new distribution facility in Nova Pazova, Serbia in preparation for the opening of the company's first stores in the country.
The 45,000 square-metre facility can store approximately 30,000 pallets, with 120 loading ramps in order to supply to 100 stores once it is operating at full capacity.
The centre also features five temperature-controlled storage zones to allow a variety of different products to be kept at optimal temperatures, including a dedicated chamber used exclusively for chocolate products.
Approximately 180 employees will be employed at the site. It will be one of the largest sites in Southeast Europe to achieve the LEED Gold sustainability certificate due to the site’s incorporation of sustainable building materials, efficient use of water and the creation of better working conditions due to the high indoor air quality and use of natural light.
Lidl Serbia general manager Tomislav Šapina said: “Today’s opening of the logistics centre is an important event for Lidl, because we are offering consumers in Serbia a unique shopping experience, fresh and quality products, and the best price/quality ratio.
For Serbia, this is a confirmation that Lidl comes as a long-term partner, who is there to stay and develop and improve together.”
Aksel Ditman, Germany’s ambassador to Serbia added: “This is an outstanding example of the growing intensity of economic relations between Germany and Serbia.
In Serbia, there are about 400 German companies with a total of 45,000 workers and investments worth about €2 billion, which means that the engagement of German companies in Serbia has never been stronger.”