The Barry Callebaut Group recently inaugurated “The Barry Callebaut Chocolate Box”, its new Global Distribution Center in Lokeren/Belgium. The Chocolate Box is the world’s largest chocolate warehouse and will be the logistical hub for all packed Belgian chocolate and decorations products, produced in the company’s chocolate factories in Wieze and Halle/Belgium.

With a total investment amount of EUR 100 m, it is the largest investment Barry Callebaut has ever made in its operations network. The Chocolate Box increases the efficiency of the company’s global logistics and will allow the group to serve customers faster.

At Lokeren, the warehouse is ideally located: near the E17 highway, facilitating carrier transport throughout Western Europe and with direct access to the Port of Antwerp for global shipping. Construction began in the summer of 2019. Less than 24 months later, the building, which spans a total surface of 12 football fields, was completed.

In the fully automated high bay warehouse, 41 m high, up to 125,000 pallets can be stored at a constant temperature of 18 °C. Over 120 employees are securing smooth operations.

The Chocolate Box is not only the world’s largest chocolate warehouse, but also the most sustainable. It is the first building in the Benelux with a “BREEAM Outstanding” certification, the highest standard in sustainable logistics. The building is fully energy-positive, as it can completely fulfill its own energy consumption.