ICELAND Foods has officially opened its new 500,000 square-foot warehouse in Warrington.
The £100million distribution centre is said to be ‘state-of-the-art’ and will employ more than 750 people.
Located at Omega, the new site will be Iceland’s largest warehouse to date, marking a major investment in the national retailer’s supply chain.
The unit will serve as a vital hub for distributing products to more than 350 Iceland stores nationwide, with the potential to expand its reach to 500 locations in the future.
The warehouse, which includes ambient, chill, and frozen chambers, has been designed with future growth in mind, incorporating technology to drive efficiency and ensure a resilient supply chain.
Iceland’s investment also supports a more sustainable operation, with the site partly powered by solar panels to increase green energy consumption.
Attending the opening was Tarsem Dhaliwal OBE, CEO at Iceland Foods – and who grew up in Padgate.
The former Bruche infant and junior school pupil, and ex-Woolston High School student, said: “We are always looking at ways to make our business stronger, more efficient, and better for our customers.
“Investing in our supply chain is a huge part of that, and this new state-of-the-art warehouse is a game-changer.
The new Iceland warehouse at Omega
The new Iceland warehouse at Omega
“It gives us the capacity to grow, improve service, and future-proof our operations for years to come.
“Warrington means a lot to me personally, as the place where I grew up, and it gives me particular pleasure to have been able to make such a major investment here.
“We are proud to be employing more than 750 people and delivering real economic benefits to the local community.”
He previously told the Warrington Guardian: “I am a local lad and we employ a lot of people from Warrington.
“Being here is important to me, being brought up in Warrington. My mum and sisters still live in Warrington.”
The new site will deliver increased economic activity that will boost local tax revenues, helping to fund improvements to public services such as schools, roads, and public safety.
Iceland says Warrington Borough Council has also already secured a multi-million-pound investment to enhance the transportation network into Omega Park.
This is through the creation of two new bus services to facilitate the workforces travel to and from both Warrington and St Helens.