DHL and Mars UK have opened a new warehouse at London Thames Gateway, which will increase the food manufacturer's warehousing capacity by over 50% and help it streamline the inbound and outbound distribution of its product portfolio, cutting the distance travelled by a million miles a year.

The opening of the London Thames Gateway facility marks the completion of DHL and Mars UK’s £350m ‘Project Gateway’ investment into UK operations. It follows the opening of the East Midlands Gateway facility in May 2022.

Mars’ partnership with DHL, sees the completion of two state of the art facilities that will deliver an annual logistics CO2 reduction of 7.7% for Mars UK.

The London Thames Gateway facility completes the streamlining of inbound and outbound distribution of Mars UK’s product portfolio across Mars Food, Mars Wrigley and Mars Pet Nutrition.

The new facility is 42 metres high making it one of the tallest distribution centres in Europe. It features 3,700 solar panels, which produce 27% of the site’s power usage. It has achieved BREEAM 'Outstanding' accreditation, placing it in the top 1% of non-domestic buildings in the UK environmentally.

Mars UK said the warehouse will help it realise its ambition of creating a "world-class logistics network that is sustainable, smart, and agile."

Its streamlined operations incorporate the latest automated pallet storage and retrieval (ASRS) technology and the Gateway facility also features high frequency charging of equipment resulting in up to 30% less energy usage, rainwater harvesting and LED lighting.

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Adam Grant, Mars Wrigley UK general manager, said: "Today is a major milestone for Mars UK’s logistics operations and a meaningful step in our sustainability journey.

"Over the past few years, our partnership with DHL has seen the completion of two pioneering facilities. Not only does this futureproof our distribution practices, it also puts into action Mars’s aim to create a world-class logistics operation that is sustainable, smart and agile.”

Saul Resnick, DHL Supply Chain UK&I chief executive, added: "This project with Mars UK further solidifies our belief that working with partners whose business and sustainability targets align with your own allows you to achieve the best results.

"This partnership does exactly that - it represents a great example for others of how businesses can work together to reduce carbon footprint and create a more sustainable future. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Mars UK and supporting the company’s growth in the years to come."

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