ASDA is to create 300 jobs following the announced development for a new £20M import centre with PD Teesport (part of PD Ports plc). The new facility which is being built near Middlesborough, will save ASDA an estimated two million road miles a year by shipping 70% of its distribution direct to Teesport.
Work started on the new facility two weeks ago and is due to open on the February 22 2006. The finished project which is being delivered by leading European logistics developer Gazeley, will provide ASDA with an international logistics operation in the North East for the first time. Containers carrying products from a variety of international destinations will be delivered to the port, enabling the supermarket to distribute clothing and homewear products to its stores throughout Britain. The building will initially comprise a 360,000 sq ft warehouse on an 18 acre site. A further phase of 150,000 sq ft is planned on an additional 5.6 acres once the initial development is in operation. Tony Page, non-food director at ASDA says: “This is great news for the economy in the North East. Not only are we creating 300 new jobs, but we are also paving the way for other retailers to follow our lead.” He also goes onto say: “The facility will also enable us to dramatically reduce our impact on the environment. We will save two million road miles a year – equivalent to four trips to the moon and back!”
David Robinson, managing director of PD Teesport comments: “This is a landmark deal for the ports industry. We are clearly delighted to have secured the world’s largest retailer as a major new customer. The presence of ASDA will help us attract further deep sea container shipping lines to deliver via Teesport.” The ASDA import centre will take advantage of its location next to the expanding container handling facility in Teesport, and will benefit from the excellent road and rail accessibility to the site.
