Work has begun on a 91,000 sq ft built-to-suit warehouse in Coventry, backed by a £24 million investment from Volvo Group aimed at strengthening spare parts distribution and service support across the UK and Ireland. The new facility will serve Volvo Group brands including Volvo Trucks, Volvo Buses, Renault Trucks and Volvo Penta.
Situated on a 4.7-acre site at the entrance to SEGRO Park Coventry, the warehouse will take over all parts operations currently run from Rugby. Site access is scheduled for early 2027, and the building will introduce automated storage technology to a Volvo Group warehouse in Europe for the first time. Full operation is expected in the second half of 2027.
The relocation is set to safeguard existing jobs while creating new employment opportunities for the local community. The warehouse has been designed to boost efficiency, sustainability and first-time pick accuracy, and to ensure Volvo Group can keep pace with its growing vehicle parc and expanding footprint in the industrial and marine engine sectors.
Sabrina Loyer, General Manager, Service Operations & Technology at Volvo Group UK, said: “The move to Coventry represents a significant investment in the future of our parts distribution network and a key milestone in supporting Volvo Group UK’s continued growth. As customer expectations and operational demands evolve, it is essential that we invest in facilities that provide both the capacity and flexibility needed to support our long-term ambitions.”
A Warehouse Built for Efficiency
Automated parts picking will be rolled out across part of the site, supported by a bespoke layout designed to streamline both inbound and outbound goods and reduce the risk of delays. A second phase will introduce dedicated battery storage facilities, supporting the continued expansion of electric trucks and buses. Once fully up and running, the Coventry hub is expected to process more than 1.3 million order lines a year.
Peter Devos, Head of Service Operations Gent & Europe, Service Operations & Technology at Volvo Group, said: “RDC Coventry marks an important first step in developing our European service and distribution structure. It will strengthen our resilience and help us deliver even higher uptime for our customers, supporting Volvo Group’s ambitious growth plans. I want to thank everyone involved for the great work so far, and I look forward to cutting the ribbon in 2027 together with our colleagues in the UK and Ireland.”
Sustainability at the Core
The new building has been designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent certification, placing it among the top 10 per cent of UK buildings for sustainability and reflecting best-in-class performance in energy efficiency, water conservation and occupant wellbeing. It will also carry an EPC ‘A’ rating, putting it in the highest energy efficiency band available.
Natural light has been maximised throughout both the warehouse and office spaces, cutting reliance on artificial lighting and helping to lower the site’s overall energy consumption.
Part of a Wider Global Push
The Coventry development forms part of a broader programme of automation investment across Volvo Group’s global service network, joining facilities in Tacoma in the United States and Lyon in France, alongside a recently commissioned system in Sydney, Australia. Together, these projects are designed to strengthen uptime and support service growth for customers around the world.
