GlobeNewswire Inc | Mar 30, 2021 07:00AM EDT

March 30, 2021

GREENWICH, Conn., March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- XPO Logistics Inc. (NYSE: XPO), a leading global provider of transport and logistics solutions, and Nestl, the world's largest food and beverage company, have today announced that their flagship distribution center and technology hub in the UK has completed its phased opening to full operations. XPO and Nestl began collaborating on the design and construction of the Digital Distribution Warehouse of the Future in 2018, together with technology partner Swisslog Logistics Automation.

The 638,000-square-foot facility at the Segro East Midlands Gateway in Leicestershire includes advanced solutions customized by Swisslog and integrated with XPO's digital warehouse ecosystem. The operations use sophisticated robotics, automated sorting systems and XPOs intelligent analytics to deliver fast, efficient distribution of Nestl products, including KitKat, Maggi and Nescaf.

XPO has been ramping up operations at the site since mid-2020, using its global experience with COVID-19 and extensive safety protocols to protect workers. The processes are designed to accommodate the highest throughput of any warehouse in Nestl's global network. It will handle goods produced by 11 Nestl UK manufacturing sites alongside those imported from several markets worldwide.

In addition to delivering the high volume of retail products associated with Nestl's food, dairy, nutrition, beverage, and confectionery ranges, the site also manages e-commerce fulfillment for the Nespresso brand, a retail solution for Nespresso Boutique stores, and value-added co-packing for a wide range of Nestl food products.

Sustainability was a core consideration in the design and location of the building. The site is on a railhead, and Nestl will be dispatching exports and deliveries into the London area via rail. A liquified gas refuelling station is currently being developed at the site to enable Nestl to operate energy-efficient gas trucks instead of diesel.

Andrew Shaw, supply chain director, Nestl UK and Ireland, said: "I'd like to offer a huge thank you to the many people at Nestl and XPO who have worked so hard to bring our vision to life in this magnificent facility. Our digital distribution warehouse is an important step forward for our business and our customers. We can now be faster, more responsive, and more agile in how we supply our products under all conditions, and we can provide a bespoke, personalized service to our customers."

Shaw added: "This truly is a digital warehouse of the future, with advanced technology that will give Nestl the flexibility to meet customer and consumer requirements for many years to come."

The site includes an innovation hub that also functions as an incubator to test new ways of addressing logistics needs. XPO will conduct real-life operating trials of promising technologies and will showcase innovations to customers. The facility is designed as a multi-user space to accommodate solutions tailored to the needs of different logistics operations.

"We're delighted to launch this milestone facility officially," said Malcolm Wilson, XPOs chief executive officer Europe. "NestlandSwisslog are trusted strategic partners of XPO, and they believe, as we do, that the best way to deliver excellence in the present is to maintain a strong focus on the future. We're pushing the boundaries of supply chain thinking and disrupting the industry in the most positive sense."

The new distribution center is located in the Sergo East Midlands Gateway Logistics Park to take advantage of direct access to the M1 motorway and East Midlands Airport, as well as the onsite rail freight terminal that connects with the major UK ports of Southampton, Felixstowe, and London Gateway, and the Channel Tunnel.

About XPO LogisticsXPO Logistics, Inc. (NYSE: XPO) provides cutting-edge supply chain solutions to the most successful companies in the world. The company is the second largest contract logistics provider and the second largest freight broker globally, and a top three less-than-truckload provider in North America. XPO uses a highly integrated network of 1,629 locations and over 100,000 employees in 30 countries to help more than 50,000 customers manage their supply chains most efficiently. The companys corporate headquarters are in Greenwich, Conn., USA, and its European headquarters are in Lyon, France.Visitxpo.comfor more information, and connect with XPO onFacebook,Twitter,LinkedIn,InstagramandYouTube.

About Nestl Nestl is the world's largest food and beverage company. With more than 2,000 brands ranging from global icons to local favorites, Nestl is present in 191 countries around the world.www.nestle.co.uk or follow Nestl on Twitter@NestleUKI

Media ContactsXPO Logistics, Inc.Joe Checkler+1-203-423-2098joe.checkler@xpo.com

XPO Logistics EuropeAnne Lafourcade+33 (0)6 75 22 52 90anne.lafourcade@xpo.com

Nestl UK & IrelandPhilippa Naylorphilippa.naylor@uk.nestle.comnestleukpressoffice@uk.nestle.com+44 (0)7876 355 758