In today’s competitive market, an optimized supply chain is paramount for business success. Weldom, part of the expansive Adeo group (which includes Leroy Merlin), exemplifies this truth with its impressive logistics transformation.
Positioning itself as the 'proximity link' with 335 stores nationwide, Weldom leverages a cutting-edge logistics strategy centered around its Breuil-le-Sec site in Oise. This facility serves as a blueprint for businesses seeking to modernize or establish new warehouse operations.
Weldom's strategic logistics hub: a blueprint for modern distribution
The Breuil-le-Sec site is not just a warehouse; it's a 140,000 square meter mechanized powerhouse within a 200,000 square meter operational footprint in France. Since 2017, Weldom has poured 110 million euros into this facility, boosting its capacity to over 15 million order lines prepared annually, translating to more than half a billion euros in merchandise delivered. This substantial investment underscores the growing demand for highly efficient, large-scale distribution centers capable of handling significant volumes.
Unparalleled scale and investment in state-of-the-art facilities
Initially established in the early 1990s, the Breuil-le-Sec hub underwent a massive expansion plan starting in 2017. This led to a 45,000 m² extension completed in 2017 and another 42,000 m² in 2022, effectively doubling mechanized surface area and multiplying processing capacity by 2.5 times in just five years.
For businesses evaluating potential warehouse spaces, Weldom’s commitment to continuous expansion and technological upgrades illustrates the importance of scalability and adaptability in logistics infrastructure.
A distributed network for optimized proximity and service
Beyond its central hub, Weldom has reinforced its national coverage with four regional warehouses in Château-Thierry, Grans, Montbartier, and Loudéac, operated by logistics partners like Geodis and FM Logistique. While Breuil-le-Sec concentrates the majority of mechanization and volume, this multi-site strategy ensures local service, serving 335 Weldom stores and 460 partner clubs, with an ambitious target of reaching 1,000 points of sale by 2027.
This hybrid model offers valuable lessons for businesses aiming to balance centralized efficiency with decentralized responsiveness for diverse store formats (from 400 to 4,000 m²).
Driving efficiency through advanced automation: from reception to dispatch
Weldom's operational rigor is evident from the moment products arrive. In the reception area, items are immediately unpacked and sorted into reusable plastic bins. This proactive approach eliminates 80% of packaging waste before it reaches stores, with 95% of the site's waste being recycled.
This not only supports environmental goals but also ensures a clean, efficient flow, ready for shelf placement. This 'clean reception' strategy is a testament to how operational design can enhance both sustainability and efficiency.
Precision in order preparation: the goods-to-person revolution
The heart of Weldom's mechanization lies in its automated Goods-to-Person system developed by Savoye. Operating with 94,000 bins and nearly 130,000 locations, 150 shuttles navigate 12 main aisles, bringing products directly to operators.
This innovative technology has dramatically boosted productivity: an operator can now prepare up to 420 lines per hour (compared to 150-200 previously), reaching up to 750 lines in peak periods. For businesses considering warehouse automation, the 'put-to-light' stations and guided workflows ensure both speed and accuracy, reducing human error and training time.
Seamless shipping and predictive management
The final leg of the journey is equally automated. Cartons are routed to automated palletization stations, where they are scanned, weighed, photographed, and grouped by destination. Predictive tour management software optimizes loading plans, fills rates, and minimizes empty mileage, leading to a service rate exceeding 99.3%.
This level of precision and flexibility (franchisees can modify orders until noon for same-day dispatch) demonstrates how integrated logistics can deliver both high performance and exceptional customer service.
Commitment to sustainability and employee well-being
Weldom's logistics strategy isn't just about efficiency; it's also about responsibility. 95% of its transport is decarbonized using alternative fuels, reducing CO₂ emissions by 70% in three years. Moreover, the automation strategy at Breuil-le-Sec has focused on 'automating without dehumanizing.'
The workforce has grown from 210 CDI in 2017 to 350 today, with automation enabling a more diverse team, including more women and people with disabilities, thanks to ergonomic workstations and reduced physical strain. This holistic approach proves that advanced logistics can simultaneously boost productivity, environmental performance, and employee satisfaction.
Scalability, synergy and future-proofing logistics operations
The Breuil-le-Sec hub is designed for future growth and flexibility. With e-commerce representing around 2% of activity and poised for expansion via Adeo's marketplace, the facility is ready for increased digital demand. Future plans include the integration of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) for automated pallet movement by 2026.
Furthermore, the hub demonstrates strong synergy within the Adeo group, handling unit and small parcel preparation for Weldom while providing services for Leroy Merlin, including shared regional warehouses and internal invoicing based on treated flows. This model highlights the potential for multi-brand or multi-client logistics operations within a single, advanced facility.
Weldom's Breuil-le-Sec logistics hub stands as a powerful example for businesses looking to rent or develop modern warehouse spaces. It showcases how significant investment in automation, a strategic distribution network, a commitment to sustainability, and a focus on employee well-being can drive operational excellence, support aggressive growth targets, and deliver exceptional service in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.
Source: republik-retail.fr
