The logistics center is the group largest and the first in Russia. The logistics location, Noginsk, near Moscow will combine three areas on 41,000 m²: Besides an import warehouse with modern high rack system, other areas serve the processing of fresh goods, and a third area is the cross-docking center. In addition to that social, engineering and office rooms are available for the roughly 600 employees who will be planning and carrying out the logistics and purchasing.

The construction work was completed in only nine months. In September it began operations. "It was realized very quick and efficiently", stated the CEO of METRO Group Asset Management, Michael Cesarz.

"Our constant expansion in Russia made the erection of an own logistics center an absolute necessity. Through this step the MGL makes it possible for local producers to sell their goods throughout all of Russia", said Zygmund Mierdorf, board member of METRO AG, at the opening of the new center.

With this own facility MGL has the ability to meet the difficult infrastructural conditions in Russia and can secure a comprehensive and high quality supply of all METRO Group stores. With shipping distances of up to 4,000 km from the Moscow logistics center to the METRO Cash & Carry store in Siberian Krasnojarsk, and frequent poor road conditions, dependable logistics play an especially important role.

The anticipated throughput of goods of the new MGL warehouse is at around 2.5 million pallets annually. Kerstin van Kerkom, COO of MGL Eastern Europe, especially mentioned the modern cross-docking unit, which is comparable to the already successful platforms in other European countries. "We are now going to continue to develop our successful concept of procurement logistics in Russia." Hereby some of the goods are picked up at the manufacturer and directed to the individual stores. Interim storage of the goods being transported is omitted. In comparison to direct delivery by the supplier, stock-keeping the goods in the stores is reduced and also the associated storage costs. "This way we can also achieve optimum results in a difficult environment and provide the local producers the best services", says van Kerkom.