Located in Moita (Setúbal), the centre has a total area of ​​57,000 square metres (m2), and is able to supply more than 100 stores in Portugal more quickly and efficiently. According to a report by idealista/news, the new centre represents an investment of 60 million euros, the company's largest ever.

According to ALDI, construction of the distribution centre began in February 2021 and was completed this year. There are, in all, 89 loading and unloading docks, 60 parking spaces for trucks and a storage capacity of 14,000 m2 of refrigerated chambers, the company said in a statement.

More stores to come

“The new structure was designed to support the supply of more than 150 stores in the national territory, and arises from the natural need to support ALDI's ambitious expansion plan in Portugal, which aims to reach 200 stores in 2025. This infrastructure has allowed the centralisation of the entire logistics operation in one place, as it was previously divided into two platforms: Montijo and Quinta do Anjo”, reads the note.

ALDI Portugal also reveals that, from a sustainability point of view, the new distribution centre has photovoltaic panels capable of producing energy up to 1MW and intelligent lighting management, guaranteed through motion sensors. The cold rooms also have cooling systems that minimise the harmful effects on the ozone layer, by using NH3 and CO2, fluids with less environmental impact.

“Strategic position”

Cited in the document, Wolfgang Graff, CEO of ALDI Portugal, adds that Moita is “in a strategic position in the country, in terms of logistics, not only in terms of geographic location and access”, but also because it is “well served in terms of public transport and infrastructure relevant to the people” who work there.

“We have always seen Portugal as an opportunity to grow in Europe and we are very excited to be able to celebrate yet another great achievement at national level. This distribution centre symbolises our growth and what we intend to achieve in Portugal in the coming years. With this new building, we were able to further improve the working conditions of the employees who work here, offering wider and brighter workspaces, more comfortable social areas and private parking for everyone”, concludes the official.