Morrisons recruit hundreds of HGV drivers

It has been reported that hundreds of HGV drivers are being recruited by the supermarket Morrisons, in preparation for the opening of a giant distribution depot in Kent.

The 920,000sq/ft Sittingbourne Regional Distribution Centre (RDC), which is near the M2, is set to open this autumn. Apparently, it is aiming to supply up to 65 stores across the UK.

The site will comprise of two warehouses, which Morrisons state will service up to two million cases of produce, chilled foods, bread and groceries each week. According to reports, the supermarket giant has been advertising for approximately 1000 jobs at the depot. Commercial Motor reveals 220 of these will be HGV drivers.

A spokesperson has stated that this ‘giant distribution’ is only the beginning. There are to be more ‘mass distributions’ across the UK like this one.

RDC/Morrisons’ spokesperson says:

“The network was working close to its capacity. A big RDC in the South-East enables us to lower capacity in the rest of the business. It’s not a question of replacing work, but easing some of the stress in the rest of the system. It’s highly unlikely that this is to be the only mass distribution by Morrisons.”