GSK, Yusen Logistics and MG Real Estate reveal the largest pharmaceutical warehouse in Wallonia
Gembloux, 24 June 2024 – GSK, MG Real Estate, and Yusen Logistics Benelux today inaugurated a new pharmaceutical warehouse in Gembloux, Wallonia. The 40,000 sqm facility, the largest biopharmaceutical logistics centre in Wallonia, features advanced technologies such as automated mobile robots, automated packaging systems, and sorting devices. This facility will enable Belgium's largest pharmaceutical company to store and export millions of vaccines and raw materials to over 160 countries. The warehouse will be 100% powered by green energy and certified to the BREEAM Excellent rating. The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of Willy Borsus, Vice-President of the Walloon government and Minister of Economy & Research.
The newly established Yusen Logistics Distribution Centre, the largest logistics facility in Wallonia and within GSK's global network, is set to commence operations in the first week of July, following a successful audit by the Belgian health authorities. Valued at €50 million, the centre can store up to 42,000 pallets, with flexible storage options facilitated by a 7,000 sqm cold room and a 700 sqm freezer compartment. Equipped with advanced technologies including automated mobile robots, self-driving vehicles, and sorting equipment, the facility will enable GSK to efficiently manage raw materials and distribute vaccines to over 160 countries. As a result, the centre will support the daily export of 1 million vaccine doses.
While the loading and unloading of goods will continue to be performed manually, the introduction of a goods-to-person process will significantly ease the workload for employees. This system allows for goods to be automatically picked by robots, eliminating the need for workers to move around. Additionally, high-capacity shuttle devices, automatic packaging systems, and sorting machines will be utilized.
Designed to meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability, the centre will be certified to the BREEAM* 'excellent' standard. It will be powered entirely by green energy, facilitated by solar panels covering the entire building and an intelligent energy management system. These sustainable measures align with GSK's goal of operating entirely on renewable electricity by 2025 and achieving a net positive impact on nature by 2030. Automated processes for road and sea transport, along with semi-automated preparations for air transport, will ensure shorter delivery times and greater flexibility to meet the needs of patients globally.
*BREEAM (or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), method for evaluating the environmental performance of buildings, is the certification standard for the construction of a sustainable building.
ABOUT US
GSK is a global biopharmaceutical company that combines science, technology, and talent to beat diseases. GSK is the largest pharmaceutical company in Belgium with 9,000 employees. With its three major vaccine sites in Rixensart (vaccine research and development), Wavre, the world's largest vaccine production site, and Gembloux, Belgium is at the heart of its global vaccine business. GSK is one of Wallonia's biggest exporters.
MG Real Estate is a leading European developer specialising in logistics, office, retail, and residential properties. With a focus on markets in Belgium, the Netherlands, the Nordics (Denmark and Sweden), and Luxembourg, we are expanding our footprint into Southern Europe (France and Italy). With over 20 years of experience, we have successfully completed 132 projects, totaling nearly 1.5 million sqm of developed space.
Yusen Logistics (Benelux) is a global logistics company offering sea and air freight forwarding, warehouse management, distribution, and end-to-end supply chain management services with Kaizen-based performance improvement. Through a network of more than 550 offices in 47 countries and regions around the world, more than 25,000 employees provide optimal solutions for diverse customer needs. Yusen Logistics Benelux comprises 16 branches and a total of 200,000 sqm of warehouse space in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Sweden, where it employs more than 800 people.
CONTACTS FOR PRESS QUESTIONS
- Elisabeth Van Damme, Director of External Communications and Public Affairs, GSK - elisabeth.e.vandamme@gsk.com | +32 478 27 26 41
- Laura Devuyst, Communication Manager, MG Real Estate - ld@mgrealestate.eu | +32 479 37 34 00
- Anneke van der Wilt, Marketing Manager Europe, Yusen Logistics Benelux - anneke.vanderwilt@eu.yusen-logistics.com | +31 6 11 69 13 88
