NIKE, Inc. unveiled the latest expansion of its European Logistics Campus in Belgium, to accelerate the company’s drive toward the supply chain of the future.
The expansion will make Nike’s European operations more efficient, more responsive and more sustainable, enabling growth by serving consumers across Nike.com, Nike retail and wholesale partners in 38 countries, all from a single inventory location.
This latest investment in a state-of-the-art centralized distribution network in the center of Europe, which employs more than 3,000 people, allows Nike to serve a vast network of retailers and consumers not just on the continent, but across the world.
“Our facilities in Belgium are a pinnacle example of how sustainable innovation is embedded into Nike’s growth strategy, which enables us to maximize our performance while minimizing our footprint,” said Bert Stevens, Vice President of Supply Chain Operations, Nike Europe. “The success of this expansion is a result of excellent teamwork, with great cooperation from local and national governments, and support from many partners and the local community.”
Sustainable innovation influenced all aspects of the facility, from the drawing board through to final construction, emphasizing Nike’s vision for a low-carbon, closed-loop future as part of the company’s growth strategy.
Key features of this new facility include:
- The European Logistics Campus uses 100% renewable energy, and sources energy from five locally generated sources: wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biomass. Six wind turbines on-site produce enough electricity to power 5,000 households, and the on-site solar panels cover the size of three soccer fields.
- The facility is fed by an infrastructure of canals, railways and highways. 99% of inbound containers reach the local container park, by water, not road, saving 14,000 truck journeys a year.
- Moving away from a traditional structure that requires more steel and concrete, the warehouse is a rack-supported building, reducing waste and material used, thereby minimizing its footprint.
- More than 95% of waste generated on-site is recycled. Pathways used by employees around the facility are made from recycled footwear material.
- Natural light provided by many windows, a unique daylight capture system and smart, automated LED lighting help to reduce electricity costs, reduce environmental impact and provide a more productive workplace.
- The facility was carefully designed to expand while supporting biodiversity. For example, sheep will help naturally maintain the landscaping, and on-site beehives will contribute to biodiversity through the pollination of flowers around the facility and in the local area.
Living Walls. Credit: NIKE, Inc.
About Nike, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiary brands include Converse, which designs, distributes and licenses casual sneakers, apparel and accessories; and Hurley, which designs and distributes a line of action sports and youth lifestyle apparel and accessories. For more information, visit http://news.nike.com/ and follow @Nike.
