With the opening of the second distribution centre in Ollignies, Colruyt Group confirms its commitment in French-speaking Belgium
Investment of 51 million to contribute to the socio-economic development of the Walloon Region
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Colruyt Group today inaugurated its new distribution centre on the Ollignies site in the presence of the Minister-President of the Walloon Region, Adrien Dolimont, as well as Walloon Vice-Presidents François Desquesnes and Pierre-Yves Jeholet, the Governor of Hainaut and the Mayor of Lessines. This distribution centre, the third in the region and alongside those at Ghislenghien and Ollignies I, will be used for the non-food range of Colruyt Lowest Prices and OKay. It is adjacent to the high throughput product warehouse to optimise logistical efficiency. This EUR 51 million investment will provide work for 250 employees. Colruyt Group can thus fully play its social role and position itself as an important Belgian player, contributing to the socio-economic development of the Walloon Region in a sustainable way through strategic and concrete projects.
Job creation in Wallonia
With its investment in a new distribution centre, Belgian retailer Colruyt Group confirms that it wants to continue to strengthen the Belgian economy. Indeed, the distribution centre in Ollignies plays a strategic role in supplying retail shops with non-food items throughout Belgium.
The new distribution centre at the Ollignies site employs 250 employees. Colruyt Group is committed to ensuring that all employees work in a safe and healthy environment that promotes their physical, mental and social well-being. In doing so, the group contributes to sustainable employment and actively promotes the career development of its employees. With 7,300 employees, including more than 3,400 in the province of Hainaut, and 287 branches in Wallonia, the group is the second largest private employer in Wallonia. The investment in this new distribution centre amounts to 51 million euro and was partly realised with the support of the Walloon Region.
"Wallonia-Picardia has a very favourable geographical location thanks to its proximity to major European conurbations and its dense transport network. In general, Wallonia is an extremely favourable location for the development of the activities of large groups such as Colruyt Group. My government and the administration will always be at the service of such initiatives," said Adrien Dolimont, Minister-President of the Walloon Region.
A distribution centre exclusively for non-food products
The new distribution centre is located on the Ollignies site along the A8-E429 Halle-Doornik motorway. It has a surface area of 22,000 m² and is adjacent to the warehouse for high throughput products. It will be responsible for the storage and shipment of 15,000 non-food items, specifically for Colruyt Lowest Prices and OKay shops. The non-food range includes stationery, cosmetics, textiles, as well as seasonal ranges such as gardening, back-to-school, Christmas, Valentine's Day, Halloween, Saint Nicholas, etc.
"These items are very important to us because, above all, they make shopping easier for consumers. Customers can get their daily fresh produce and non-food items in one place," explains Fabrice Gobbato, Commercial Director of Colruyt Lowest Prices.
Sustainable logistics
Automation is an integral part of the new distribution centre and helps meet ergonomic requirements. Various robots are used for stock management and product picking. By automating repetitive and physical tasks, employees can focus on higher-value-added tasks and quality control.
The centre in Ollignies also embodies Colruyt Group's commitment to sustainability: 5,200 solar panels produce more than 2.6 million kWh a year, reducing CO₂ emissions by 1.2 million kilos a year. Intelligent LED lighting, 53 domes that let in natural light and adiabatic cooling increase the site's energy efficiency.
"Besides sustainable construction, we also continue to invest in logistics in an environmentally friendly way. Colruyt Group is fully committed to emission-free transport by 2035. To achieve that goal, we want to transform our distribution centres into zero-emission hubs. This site in Ollignies is a fine example: today, trucks can already fill up with green hydrogen there. We now want to go one step further by building a 1 MW fast-charging complex where 6 trucks can recharge at the same time. Finally, the location of Ollignies II is also of strategic importance. It is on the European TEN-T network, which means that Ollignies is a zero-emission hub on a European scale," confirms Stefan Goethaert, CEO of Colruyt Group.