A modern logistics center for better supply of MAXI supermarkets within VGP Park Belgrade
19 August 2024, Belgrade, Serbia: Continuously raising standards in the field of retail, Delhaize Serbia opened its second Distribution Centre in Dobanovci, which will improve the supply process of the largest retail chain in the country. The new logistics hub, with an area of 42,000 square meters, operates within VGP Park Belgrade and is a fundamental resource for the company's future expansion. More than 43 million euros will be invested in this strategic facility with a special emphasis on the application of the most modern green technologies and environmental protection.
The new distribution centre is one of the most modern logistics facilities in the country, which will help further improve and expand the service that Delhaize Serbia provides with a wide range, product quality and affordable prices. The use of this resource, in addition to the distribution centre in Stara Pazova and the specialized warehouse for online shopping in Bežanijska kosa, will enable even faster, more complete and more efficient supply of more than 530 Maxi, Mega Maxi and Shop&Go stores throughout Serbia.
"The opening of the new Distribution Centre is another proof of our commitment to expanding on the domestic market and investing in state-of-the-art logistics, as a key segment of the efficient functioning of our retail network. It is an important step in the growth and development of the company. This centre symbolizes our commitment to innovation, modernization and improvement of customer service throughout Serbia, in which we have found a reliable partner in the company VGP. We owe a special thanks for a good start to work to 270 colleagues who are there every day so that this logistics centre justifies its role as one of the best on the market," said the General Director of Delhaize Serbia, Gorica Jovović.
The Delhaize Distribution Centre within the VGP Park in Dobanovci is a modern logistics hub that combines modern logistics technologies and sustainable development. It processes and distributes more than 2,600 different products, for which a shelf capacity of over 35,000 pallet spaces is provided. An integral part of the new distribution centre is the most modern plant for ripening bananas, which covers more than 5,000 square meters, and thanks to which customers in our country will enjoy the freshest assortment of this southern fruit.
VGP Park Belgrade has a very strategic location near the capital and only 4 km from the international airport, it will have a total area of existing and planned buildings exceeding 450,000 square meters. For Delhaize, the geographic position and location of VGP Park Belgrade enabled optimal connection with key roads in the country, which significantly contributes to the efficiency of distribution and shortens the transport time for the approximately 250 trucks with goods that leave the center every day.
The modern logistics centre is designed, among other things, with solar panels, chargers for electric cars, a state-of-the-art battery charging station and a water efficient automated truck wash. The firm commitment of Delhaize and VGP to the preservation of the environment and the promotion of green technologies is confirmed by the obtained BREEAM Excellent certificate, which guarantees compliance with high-quality standards of building sustainability. This implies energy efficiency, quality of interior space, and responsible management of water and waste.
Jan Van Geet, CEO of VGP, says: “The opening of the Delhaize Distribution Centre within VGP Park Belgrade, set to become the largest business park in the region, marks a significant milestone for VGP’s activities in Serbia. The project testifies our mission to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure and technical solutions that support the growth and modernisation of leading companies, and the regions in which they are active. The new distribution centre not only enhances Delhaize Serbia’s supply chain capabilities but also aligns with our shared commitment to sustainability and innovation.”