A substantial construction project launched in May by Itella in Pennala, Orimattila, is on schedule. The cornerstone of the new 77,000 square-meter logistics center was laid on Monday, October 3. The logistics center will be completed in phases by summer 2013 and will be the centralized location of Rautakesko's domestic warehousing activities, for example. As a result of the expansion, Itella's warehouse space in Pennala will exceed 100,000 square meters.
The Pennala logistics center will have state-of-the-art technology, including a voice-picking system and automatic forklifts. The construction will also utilize cost-effective, environmentally sound heating technology. A hybrid heating system based on ground heat and gas will be installed in the building. In addition, energy-saving outer wall panels will be installed in the logistics center.
"With our logistics center situated in the center of our trade and customer network, it increases logistical efficiency and decreases the carbon footprint of our delivery transports," says Olli Salmivaara of Rautakesko. Kesko and its partners want to actively participate in mitigating the progress of climate change, and Kesko abides by the principles of green construction when building Kesko's own commercial locations.
"The economic region of Lahti has excellent connections from throughout Finland. The placement of the new logistics center was also affected by the price level being more inexpensive than that in the capital region. The logistics center will provide employment for about 200-300 people, which means that it has a significant impact on the region," says Jukka Pyykkö of Itella Logistics.
Itella Real Estate Oy is the owner and developer of the new logistics center, and Itella Logistics Oy is the user. In addition to the central warehouse of Rautakesko, the plan is to centralize Itella's service warehousing activities in fashion logistics in Pennala. The total value of the construction project is more than EUR 60 million.
More information for the media:
Jukka Pyykkö, Director, Itella Logistics, tel. +358 500 463 633
Olli Salmivaara, Logistics Director, Rautakesko, tel. +358 50 306 4130
Itella Logistics supports and develops the business of its customer companies by providing them with service logistics solutions for road, sea and air freight, warehousing and other contract logistics. Customers may outsource an individual element of their logistics process, or even their entire delivery chain to us. Itella Logistics has over 30 offices in eight countries (Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Russia). The company provides global services through its partners. In 2010, the net sales of Itella Logistics (part of Itella Group) was €677 million and it had 7,700 employees. http://www.itella.fi/english/businessareas/logistics/
Rautakesko sells hardware, interior decoration and agricultural products www.rautakesko.com) and its retail chains are K-rauta, Rautia, Byggmakker, Senukai, OMA and K-maatalous. Rautakesko manages the chains, combines their purchasing power, arranges effective logistics, acquires commercial locations and ensures strong marketing and development support for the stores. Rautakesko has operations in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia and Belarus.
