Hermes UK has updated recruitment and sustainability plans for its new parcel distribution hub in Barnsley which is due to be completed in September 2022.
Hermes has confirmed that it will be recruiting for 1,400 full time roles including a general manager, operations managers, engineers, health and safety officers, planning managers, transportation managers, warehouse operatives and administrators. In addition, there will be around 300 temporary and part-time roles available to support Hermes through busy periods.
As part of its environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitment, Hermes has also confirmed that over 50% of the vehicles operating from the site will use compressed natural gas (CNG) that reduces carbon emissions by over 80% compared with diesel. Other eco initiatives include natural grassed acoustic bunds to absorb noise between the site and residential dwellings, a balancing pond, a biodiversity area and over 25,000 plants, trees and hedgerows that will be planted. The building itself will include solar panels on the roof and a rainwater-harvesting system. Hermes has already formed a sponsorship deal with the local cricket club, has provided the local school with equipment and plans to continue supporting the local community.
The 320,000ft2 hub is located on a 55-acre plot and will have the capacity to process up to 1.3 million parcels daily, boosting the company’s overall capacity to 4.4 million a day. The hub runs parallel to the M1 motorway and is strategically located off a new bypass road near junction 36, close to several of Hermes’s retail customers’ distribution sites. This enables later cut-off times for collections to meet the ongoing demand for online shopping and next day delivery.
Carl Lyon, chief operating officer at Hermes, said, “This is a huge investment and priority for us as we respond to the ever-increasing demand for online shopping and strive to provide a service that doesn’t cost the earth.”
Matt Gladstone, executive director of place at Barnsley council, said, “We’re working closely with Hermes to maximize job and training opportunities for local people on this prime site next year. We’re taking full advantage of the site’s potential in terms of partnership by working to better the community, with schools and local sports clubs, as well as for the environment, with Hermes putting sustainability at the forefront of their operations.”
