Aldi creates 422 jobs at new distribution centre
SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has officially opened a new £59.5m distribution centre on the outskirts of Cardiff in an investment that has created 422 jobs.
The German-owned retailer is planning an expansion of its network of supermarkets in south Wales.
It wants to create a further 400 new jobs over the next five years.
The expansion in Wales is part of Aldi’s drive to have 1,000 stores in the UK by 2022.
Aldi currently has 42 stores in Wales, employing around 1,250.
The exact number of new stores that will open over the next five years will be confirmed shortly.
The new 400,000 sq ft distribution centre and regional offices are based at Capital Business Park in Wentloog.
It will serve as a hub for Aldi’s growing portfolio of stores across south Wales and the South West of England.
The investment was supported with £4.5m business finance from the Welsh Government.
Dan Oakenfull, managing director of the Cardiff Regional Distribution Centre, said: “South Wales and the south west of England continue to be areas of significant growth for us, and the new distribution centre will help support our immediate and future expansion across the regions.
“The centre has created over 420 jobs for people living in Cardiff and the surrounding areas.”
Speaking at the opening Economy Minister Ken Skates said the Welsh Government is continuing to support Aldi’s expansion plans across south Wales targeting Cardiff, Swansea and west Wales which will create a significant number of additional jobs and career opportunities over the next four years.
He said: “Retail is one of those sectors where both youth and experience are equally valued and each can find its place in either sustaining or driving the business forward.
“Supermarkets, along with their various operational support structures, provide different opportunities – from that first Saturday job for young people to fully fledged careers for those seeking supervisory and management roles.
“For many young people it is almost a rite of passage into the world of work and in many cases entire families can be employed by the same business.
“I also know that Aldi offers career paths for graduates and given its wider global reach, the opportunity to gain vital international experience of working in some of the world’s largest market places which is very welcome.”