Renault Trucks has unveiled plans to build a new global spare parts distribution centre at its historic site in Saint-Priest, on the outskirts of Lyon, replacing older facilities. By investing a total of €132 million in the construction of this new state-of-the-art logistics platform, the French manufacturer and the Volvo Group to which it belongs are demonstrating their commitment to the sustainability of production resources and reaffirming the strong local roots of Renault Trucks in the Lyon metropolitan area.
Strategic relocation and optimisation of operations
As the distribution centre's century-old building in Vénissieux was no longer suited to the environmental and operational requirements of its logistics activities, Renault Trucks examined all options, including transferal to another site. In the end, the manufacturer opted to relocate its logistics platform to the Saint-Priest site, where its axle manufacturing plant is currently located. Moreover, this plant is preparing to move to neighbouring Vénissieux, near the engine manufacturing plant. Over the next three years, major work will be carried out to relocate the logistics platform to the site of the old plant, which will first require the demolition of the existing building and soil decontamination. The rehabilitation of this industrial site will comply with the principle of zero soil artificialisation
The building, which will host nearly 500 employees, will comprise a flexible, scalable 46,000 m² warehouse integrating standard storage, a fully automated area dedicated to small parts, and an area reserved for battery storage.
The future distribution centre is designed to meet the most stringent safety standards, including complete separation of pedestrian, truck, and vehicle flows. Major efforts will also be made to improve the ergonomics and working comfort of operators, including the robotisation of certain operations and the optimisation of storage racks. The new procedures will be designed in close collaboration with employees.
Last but not least, a 4,000 m² office area will promote collaborative working and ensure operational efficiency.
A fossil-free, positive-energy building
This project, which illustrates Renault Trucks' commitment to decarbonising its activities, marks a step forward in its transition to the production of renewable energy.
The new distribution centre is designed to be a positive energy building. Equipped with photovoltaic panels on the entire roof, it will produce renewable electricity to cover not only its own requirements (including for heating the building, forklift trucks and recharging electric vehicles), but also those of neighbouring buildings. All the building's facilities will be 100% fossil fuel-free, using this renewable electricity.
Renault Trucks has also undertaken to green the site by planting 400 trees, thereby helping to improve biodiversity and quality of life in the workplace.
Project schedule
- 2024: Submission of request for planning permission - 2025: Transfer of the Axle plant to Vénissieux, allowing demolition of the existing building and decontamination of the soil - 2026: Start of construction - End 2027: Installation of equipment - Early 2028: Transfer of activity phase by phase - Mid-2028: The new distribution centre is fully operational