Inside Marks & Spencer’s £340 Million National Distribution Centre Boosting Food Logistics at DIRFT

Marks & Spencer’s Ambitious Move in Food Logistics

Marks & Spencer is setting a new benchmark in food logistics by establishing a purpose-built National Distribution Centre (NDC) at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT). Covering an expansive 1.3 million square feet, this state-of-the-art facility reflects a transformative £340 million investment — the retailer’s highest ever focused on its food supply chain. The centre is designed to double M&S’s food business capabilities and bolster efficiency from farm to shelf.

Transformative Facility Features and Employment Impact

The centre is not just vast in size but multifunctional in design, integrating chilled storage, automated fulfilment systems, returns processing, recycling operations, and dedicated office spaces. The project partners with TGW Logistics for automation, ensuring a cutting-edge approach to handling the retailer’s growing demands. Construction activity alone is creating over 2,000 jobs, with the operational phase supporting approximately 1,000 roles spanning logistics, management, and technical engineering disciplines.

Key Features of the NDC Include:

• Chilled Storage to preserve food freshness and quality.
• Advanced Automation to accelerate order fulfilment and improve accuracy.
• Returns and Recycling operations built in for sustainability and efficiency.
• Dedicated Office Space tailored to M&S’s operational teams and strategic growth.

Leveraging Prologis’ Build-to-Suit Expertise

Prologis, known for spearheading complex logistics developments, was entrusted with delivering this tailored facility. Their hands-on approach—from land acquisition and permitting to construction and technical delivery—ensures a streamlined process. By collaborating closely with expert architects, consultants, and contractors, Prologis consistently brings projects like this in on time or ahead of schedule. Their commitment to environmental stewardship guarantees that the centre is designed to achieve a BREEAM Outstanding rating, setting a global standard for sustainable logistics facilities.

Paul Weston, Regional Head at Prologis UK, highlights that the centre embodies a future-ready supply chain, reinforcing economic growth in the Midlands region by creating skilled jobs and resilient infrastructure.

DIRFT’s Role as a Major Logistics Hub

DIRFT itself stands out as one of the UK’s most significant intermodal logistics hubs, with Prologis now leasing or committed to more than 75% of the space at DIRFT III. The site employs over 10,000 people across diverse logistics and technical roles. In the fiscal year 2023/24, businesses operating at DIRFT contributed £13.1 million in business rates, while the site generates an impressive £219 million in annual Gross Value Added (GVA) for the region.

The scale and economic clout of DIRFT exemplify its vital role in connecting distribution networks—a big thumbs-up for the Midlands as a logistics powerhouse that feeds into wider UK supply chains.

Sustainability at the Heart of the Development

The forthcoming M&S distribution centre is on track to become the largest building worldwide targeting BREEAM Outstanding certification. Sustainability elements include rooftop photovoltaic solar panels, electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, energy-efficient technologies, and extensive use of recycled building materials. The facility’s all-electric design aims for an EPC A+ rating, underscoring a holistic commitment to environmental responsibility while fulfilling large-scale operational needs.

Sustainable Innovation in Logistics Facility Design

Feature	Benefit
Rooftop PV Solar Array	Reduces reliance on grid electricity, lowering carbon footprint
Electric Vehicle Charging	Supports clean fleet operations, enhancing green transport options
Energy-Saving Technologies	Optimizes operational energy use, reducing costs and emissions
Recycled Materials	Minimizes resource consumption and construction waste

The Logistics Ripple Effect

This massive investment into a highly automated, sustainable distribution centre doesn’t just benefit Marks & Spencer—it sets a new benchmark that ripples through the entire logistics sector. For freight and shipping professionals, it means embracing complex, multifunctional facilities that streamline cargo handling and delivery. For supply chain planners and movers, it emphasizes the rising importance of sustainability, automation, and scalability.

In practical terms, logistics providers need to stay nimble, enhancing infrastructure and tech capacity to meet such evolving demands. The introduction of such a facility also points towards increased regional traffic and freight volumes that require savvy forward planning in haulage routes and delivery schedules, echoing the “big fish in the pond” effect at a regional level.

The Bottom Line: Why This Matters for Logistics

• Innovation drives efficiency: Automated, chilled, and returns-capable centres raise the bar.
• Sustainability is non-negotiable: Industry-leading green standards will redefine expectations.
• Regional growth creates opportunity: Jobs and infrastructure investments boost logistical capabilities.
• Collaborative delivery: Integration of design and operations calls for close cooperation between transport and facility operators.

Choosing the Right Partner for Cargo and Freight Needs

While detailed reviews and feedback help in choosing logistics solutions, nothing truly beats hands-on experience. Platforms like GetTransport.com empower businesses and individuals alike by offering access to reliable, cost-effective cargo transport covering everything from office relocations to movers handling bulky goods, vehicles, and freight worldwide.

With competitive pricing and global reach, GetTransport.com provides the transparency and convenience essential for today’s fast-paced logistics landscape. Whether dispatching pallets or arranging international shipping, customers benefit from vast options and a seamless booking process, ensuring their cargo moves swiftly and securely.

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Final Thoughts: The Road Ahead for Logistics and Supply Chains

Marks & Spencer’s new National Distribution Centre at DIRFT symbolizes a bold stride in the future of food supply chains—a large-scale, sustainable, and tech-forward facility that can handle the complexities of modern retail logistics. This venture highlights vital trends: the growing emphasis on automation, environmental responsibility, and integrated supply chain solutions.

For the logistics industry, developments like this reinforce the need to adopt advanced, flexible freight, shipping, and distribution strategies. Moving goods efficiently while minimizing environmental impact is no longer optional but essential, especially given the rising scale and complexity of today’s cargo demands.

Platforms like GetTransport.com fit perfectly into this evolving logistics puzzle, offering accessible, dependable solutions to meet diverse transport needs—be it forwarding, haulage, or relocation. By harnessing such tools, businesses and consumers can simplify their logistics challenges while staying budget-smart.

In wrapping up, this facility serves as a beacon for how the logistics sector can grow smarter and greener. As operations expand, so do opportunities for efficient, transparent, and reliable cargo transportation—key ingredients for success in the global freight arena.