Kellanova opens largest European logistics site in Mechelen

On May 28, 2024, Kellanova, producer of Kellogg's and Pringles, opened its largest distribution center in Europe in Mechelen. Covering a whopping 65,000 m² and located next to the Pringles factory, this new distribution center replaces the food group's five other European logistics centers. This results in a more sustainable supply chain, from sourcing and production to delivery to consumers.

The grand opening of the impressive logistics site took place in the presence of then Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden and Bart Somers, Mayor of Mechelen. The new warehouse was built by MG Real Estate and is managed in cooperation with GXO. From this new site, Kellanova will distribute 250 tons of products per day. This will include breakfast cereals for customers in Belgium, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, as well as Pringles snacks for those same countries plus Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

On the way to BREEAM Excellent certification

"The first pole of the building went into the ground in November 2022, after which we completed the first of the four units in May 2023," said Ignace De Paepe, President at MG Real Estate. 

"Together with Kellanova, we addressed historical soil contamination. That was caused by a former paint factory. Furthermore, we made maximum use of the industrial site and built a warehouse that can be carbon neutral in the future. The building has a clear height of 15 meters in the warehouses, while one of the mezzanines has a depth of 24 meters. We also integrated energy-efficient LED lighting and Ancra truck loading and unloading systems to streamline logistics processes and increase energy efficiency. With these technical specifications, we are aiming for BREEAM Excellent certification. Last but not least, we will install solar panels on the 65,000 square meters of roofs, which will allow the neighboring Pringles factory to make maximum use of green electricity."

New step in sustainable development

During the grand opening, Mayor Bart Somers summed up some more impressive figures regarding this plant, where as many as 650 million recyclable chip tubes roll off the conveyor belt each year. For example, a water reclamation plant will save 200 million liters of water annually. Eliminating thermal oils will reduce energy consumption by 80%. And a state-of-the-art incinerator should reduce CO₂-emissions by 35%.

Olivier Vernier, VP General Manager of Kellanova Continental Europe, complemented the Mechelen mayor: "Our largest and ultra-modern warehouse in Mechelen gives Kellanova's sustainability goals a huge boost. By bringing our warehousing activities in Belgium from five to one central site, we can reduce the number of trucks driving internally between our production site and the warehouse by 30 percent. That approach fits perfectly with 'Better Days,' our ESG strategy."

Impressive figures

The operational management of the brand-new warehouse is in the hands of the internationally active logistics service provider GXO. About 150 GXO employees work at the site in Mechelen. They are responsible for 24/7 operations in five shifts. For the copacking activities, 100 employees of two custom companies are in charge. Some 40 shuttles run daily from the nearby production site to the warehouse. On an average workday, more than 4,000

pallets processed. And at the 50 fully automated loading and unloading docks, a truck driver can load or unload a full load of pallets in as little as five minutes.

Example of logistics innovation

During the opening ceremony, all parties involved were in full agreement that this Mechelen site is a model of logistical innovation and sustainable economic growth. For the future, by the way, Kellanova is actively exploring the possibilities of electric freight transport. Since 2023, this FMCG player has been conducting tests to deliver products throughout Benelux in this way. On a global level, Kellanova is committed to short- and long-term emissions reductions throughout the company, in line with scientific energy-neutral standards of the Science Based Targets initiative (STBi).