Ikea opens a distribution center in Foshan, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ikea opened a distribution center in Foshan, Guangdong province on Sept 1st to further enhance its green logistic work in the country.

Starting this month, the new center will provide replenishment services to nine Ikea stores in southern China. From April next year, it will further extend the services to six stores in Hong Kong and Macao.

Rosa Qiao, managing director of Ikea Supply China, said: "The strategic location of Ikea Distribution Centre Foshan helps us to better serve Ikea stores in Southern China, including Hong Kong, China and Macao, China; reduce lead-time while increasing availability; and further lower the total logistics cost."

The center is also considered to be good practice of the company's continuous efforts to build a green supply chain.

Ikea hopes to lead by example, promote sustainable concepts and contribute to the green development of the logistics industry, said Hui Chen, Ikea Supply Area East Asia Manager said.

Ikea opens a distribution center in Foshan, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The center in Foshan has a total construction area of about 80,000 square meters and adopts advanced intelligent technology to improve operational efficiency. It has a single-layer fully automated warehouse with a 42-meter-high storage area in the middle.

Based on the platform of Building Management System, Ikea has combined the needs of logistics management processes and adopted the technology of digital twin and visualized simulation to achieve full-process digital coverage and control.

The entire building has been certified with BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) at "Very Good" level.