Ocado van

Ocado is opening two more depots this year as it continues with plans to increase capacity in its distribution network.

The online supermarket opened a 36,000ft² depot in Dagenham, Essex, this month and plans to open a second depot, a 20,000ft² site on the Knowsley Industrial Park in Liverpool, in November.

Ocado says both sites are required to meet demand from the firm’s “dramatic expansion” in both regions.

It will operate 120 vehicles from each site and is currently looking to recruit van drivers as part of a recruitment drive for 600 staff across both sites.

Julie Markey, director of HR at Ocado, said: “Recruiting brilliant drivers is critical to our success as they are the face of our brand, delivering groceries into thousands of our customer’s kitchens every day.”

The two new sites follow the announcement in February that Ocado would be investing £100m in its hubs, depots and vehicles this year.

Plans to open a third hub in Andover, Hampshire, were also revealed In July. The planned site will have the capacity to process 65,000 orders per week.

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