How M&S Teams Up with TGW Logistics to Automate Grocery Fulfilment at Daventry Centre

Modernizing Grocery Fulfilment: A Glimpse into M&S and TGW Collaboration

Marks & Spencer (M&S) is stepping up its game in the grocery sector by partnering with TGW Logistics to develop an automated fulfilment centre in Daventry, UK. This partnership is aimed at creating a cutting-edge facility that harnesses robotics and automation to streamline grocery processing, slated to be up and running by spring 2029.

Facility Design: Balancing Ambient and Chilled Operations

The new fulfilment hub will be strategically divided into two interconnected zones—an ambient temperature area and a chilled section. These will be linked by an energy-efficient conveyor system, underscoring a commitment to sustainability as much as functionality.

The ambient zone boasts a high-bay pallet warehouse backed by a tray-based shuttle system. Autonomous robots will shuttle pallets from receiving areas into storage, putting the ‘auto’ in automation. Moreover, another robot fleet will focus on assembling roll cages, ready to replenish stores efficiently.

Meanwhile, the chilled area will mirror this smart efficiency with its own shuttle system designed for buffering and sequencing trays to automated dolly-building machines, ensuring perishable items move seamlessly through the supply chain.

Significance of the Deal

This agreement marks a landmark in TGW Logistics’ 55-year history, with Joel Garbutt, Chief Sales Officer for Customer Unit North Europe at TGW, noting the solution is tailored to future demands of grocery retail, promising innovation and efficiency at the forefront.

Investment and Job Creation: A Boost to the Food Supply Chain

The Daventry project forms part of M&S’s ambitious £340 million investment plan set in motion in August 2025 to overhaul its food supply chain. The goal? To double the size of its food business, with this automated National Distribution Centre serving as a key driver.

Covering an impressive 1.3 million square feet, the construction is anticipated to create over 2,000 jobs during the build phase. Once operational, it will maintain around 1,000 permanent roles spanning logistics, management, and technical fields—an injection of vitality for the local economy.

The Bigger Picture: Supply Chain Automation’s Place in Modern Logistics

Automation in logistics isn’t just a fancy buzzword — it’s a transformative wave that changes how goods like groceries move from point A to B. Robotics-powered fulfilment centres reduce errors, ramp up speed, and cut down manual labor, all pivotal in the face of growing e-commerce and grocery delivery demands.

The M&S and TGW collaboration highlights how large-scale automated hubs can optimize inventory flow between ambient and chilled zones, ensuring products reach customers fresher and faster. Such innovation can ripple across the logistics industry, influencing how cargo shipments are handled, tracked, and delivered with precision worldwide.

How Automation Shapes Logistics Efficiency

• Error Reduction: Robotics cut down mistakes common in manual picking and packing.
• Rýchlosť: Automated sorting and transport accelerate order processing timelines.
• Úspora nákladov: Human resource expenses reduced, allowing reallocation to core areas.
• Energetická efektívnosť: Sustainable conveyors reduce environmental footprint.
• Škálovateľnosť: Systems can adjust to fluctuating demands during peak and off-peak seasons.

Beyond the Robots: What This Means for Logistics Players

This move by M&S and TGW isn’t just a win for one retailer; it signals broader trends in supply chain modernization that logistics providers should keep an eye on. The integration of ambient and chilled logistics within one hub shows the increasing complexity and nuance needed in today’s food transport and storage.

For freight operators, forwarders, and distribution centres, the implication is clear—automation and smart infrastructure are becoming baseline expectations. This will ripple into sectors handling bulky or container freight, where precision in timing and temperature controls is critical.

The Bottom Line: User Perspectives & Making Smart Transport Choices

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Whether it’s office or home moves, shipping bulky furniture, vehicles, or international shipments, GetTransport.com provides versatile options to meet diverse logistical needs. Its transparent, user-friendly platform means you’re in good hands, confident in making transport choices that fit your budget and timeframe.

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Looking Ahead: Forecasting the Impact on Global Logistics

While this specific project primarily impacts the UK grocery and retail sector, its ripple effect on global logistics practices shouldn’t be underestimated. Automated fulfilment is setting new benchmarks, particularly for efficiency and sustainability in warehouse and distribution management.

GetTransport.com stays tuned to such developments, striving to keep pace with innovations that affect freight, haulage, and overall distribution networks worldwide. Start planning your next delivery and secure your cargo with GetTransport.com—where convenience meets cost-efficiency.

Zhrnutie

To wrap it up, M&S’s collaboration with TGW Logistics to build a state-of-the-art automated grocery fulfilment centre in Daventry marks a major leap towards the future of logistics and supply chains. With distinct ambient and chilled zones connected by energy-saving conveyors and supported by autonomous robotics, this facility aims to boost efficiency, reduce errors, and create substantial jobs.

Automation at this scale underscores a broader shift in logistics towards smarter, more integrated handling of freight and cargo, especially in temperature-sensitive sectors such as food. Innovative projects like this set a precedent that benefits everyone in the distribution chain—from warehouse workers to delivery couriers.

Platforms like GetTransport.com complement these advancements by offering affordable, reliable, and transparent transport options across global markets. In the ever-evolving world of shipping and forwarding, embracing automation paired with trusted logistics providers guarantees smoother, more efficient delivery experiences.