Amazon to Close Historic UK Fulfilment Centre, Offering Employee Transfers
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Amazon plans to close its first UK fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes, affecting 590 employees.
- Employees will be offered transfers to a new £500m facility in Northampton, set to open in May 2024.
- The Northampton site will initially employ 1,400 people, with potential expansion to 2,000.
- Amazon is investing £40bn in the UK from 2025 to 2027, including four new fulfilment centres.
- The Milton Keynes sortation centre, employing 1,100 staff, will remain operational.
Amazon has announced plans to close its first UK fulfilment centre, located in Milton Keynes, as part of a strategic realignment of its logistics network. Opened in 1998, the site currently employs 590 people who will be offered transfers to other locations, including a new state-of-the-art facility in Northampton.
Employee Relocation and Support
The closure of the Milton Keynes centre is part of Amazon's ongoing evaluation of its operational network to better meet business needs and enhance employee and customer experiences. A spokesperson for Amazon emphasized, "Our top priority is to support our people during this process." Employees affected by the closure will have the opportunity to transfer to the new Northampton site or other Amazon locations.
New Northampton Facility
The new £500m Northampton facility, strategically located near junction 15 of the M1, is set to open in May 2024. Initially, it will employ 1,400 people, with plans to expand to 2,000. This move is part of Amazon's broader £40bn investment in the UK, which includes the development of four new fulfilment centres and additional delivery stations between 2025 and 2027.
Ongoing Operations in Milton Keynes
While the fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes is slated for closure, the sortation centre in the same area, which employs 1,100 staff, will continue its operations unaffected by the current proposals. This centre remains a crucial part of Amazon's logistics business in the region.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The closure of Amazon's Milton Keynes fulfilment centre marks a significant shift in the company's UK logistics strategy. As Amazon continues to invest heavily in new facilities, the focus on modern, larger sites like Northampton suggests a move towards more efficient operations. This could lead to improved service delivery and potentially lower costs for consumers.
For employees, the transition offers both challenges and opportunities. While relocation may be disruptive for some, the new Northampton facility promises advanced working conditions and growth potential. The broader £40bn investment indicates Amazon's commitment to expanding its footprint in the UK, which could lead to further job creation and economic benefits in the coming years.
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Amazon to Close Historic UK Fulfilment Centre, Offering Employee Transfers
In This Article
Ethan Brooks| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Amazon plans to close its first UK fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes, affecting 590 employees.
- Employees will be offered transfers to a new £500m facility in Northampton, set to open in May 2024.
- The Northampton site will initially employ 1,400 people, with potential expansion to 2,000.
- Amazon is investing £40bn in the UK from 2025 to 2027, including four new fulfilment centres.
- The Milton Keynes sortation centre, employing 1,100 staff, will remain operational.
Amazon has announced plans to close its first UK fulfilment centre, located in Milton Keynes, as part of a strategic realignment of its logistics network. Opened in 1998, the site currently employs 590 people who will be offered transfers to other locations, including a new state-of-the-art facility in Northampton.
Employee Relocation and Support
The closure of the Milton Keynes centre is part of Amazon's ongoing evaluation of its operational network to better meet business needs and enhance employee and customer experiences. A spokesperson for Amazon emphasized, "Our top priority is to support our people during this process." Employees affected by the closure will have the opportunity to transfer to the new Northampton site or other Amazon locations.
New Northampton Facility
The new £500m Northampton facility, strategically located near junction 15 of the M1, is set to open in May 2024. Initially, it will employ 1,400 people, with plans to expand to 2,000. This move is part of Amazon's broader £40bn investment in the UK, which includes the development of four new fulfilment centres and additional delivery stations between 2025 and 2027.
Ongoing Operations in Milton Keynes
While the fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes is slated for closure, the sortation centre in the same area, which employs 1,100 staff, will continue its operations unaffected by the current proposals. This centre remains a crucial part of Amazon's logistics business in the region.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The closure of Amazon's Milton Keynes fulfilment centre marks a significant shift in the company's UK logistics strategy. As Amazon continues to invest heavily in new facilities, the focus on modern, larger sites like Northampton suggests a move towards more efficient operations. This could lead to improved service delivery and potentially lower costs for consumers.
For employees, the transition offers both challenges and opportunities. While relocation may be disruptive for some, the new Northampton facility promises advanced working conditions and growth potential. The broader £40bn investment indicates Amazon's commitment to expanding its footprint in the UK, which could lead to further job creation and economic benefits in the coming years.
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