The new facility will adjoin Import Services’ existing distribution hub and double operational capacity.

The £23m warehouse has been designed to BREEAM ‘excellent’ sustainability standard in close collaboration with port owner ABP and, once complete, will also feature a further £2.5m roof mounted solar array investment from ABP. This solar panel installation will more than double the existing solar power generated on the Port of Southampton.

The port-centric location and close proximity to the container port ensures the most optimum route to market, alleviating the need to transport containers inland to distribution centres cutting time, cost and carbon from supply chains. This investment from ABP and Import Services will ensure the company’s operational set-up continues to enable future developments in the sector, responding to customers’ needs.

This new port-side logistics centre will enable Import Services, a subsidiary of Xpediator, to hold stock under bond for order processing and distribution across the UK, continental Europe and global markets. The 24 new access doors, plus VNA pallet storage configuration and state-of-the-art equipment and systems are designed to boost throughput for containers and road vehicles.

The distribution centre is located at the Western Docks of the Port of Southampton, which is owned by ABP. Once opened, it will employ an additional 35 people. Construction is expected to complete next spring.

Mike Thomas, client services director at Import Services, said: “Import Services’ new distribution centre will be just 100 metres away from where the deep sea container ships dock. With this new facility plus technologically advanced equipment, our teams will be able to process containers efficiently, process orders and deliver straight to the point of demand. Reducing the amount of carbon generated by the logistics industry is front of mind in our thinking. We know port-centric distribution can reduce supply chain emissions and the use of back-haul working with retailers can realise further carbon reductions. Our port-centric model, with this new distribution centre, will allow us to take important steps forward in tackling time, cost and carbon, the three key components of supply chains, as we head into the 2020s.”

Stephen Blyth, CEO of Xpediator, said: “Historically, Import Services has not always had the capacity to meet demand; this new facility will not only enable us to meet the demand but also capture additional market share by being able to offer superior technologically advanced services. The timing of this expansion could also work favourably with the UK’s move outside of the European Union.”