HUNDREDS of new jobs will be created in Rugby when Amazon opens a new fulfilment centre.
The internet retail giant has announced plans for the new centre which will create 400 new permanent jobs at the new Rugby Gateway logistics site just south of junction one of the M6.
Recruitment has already begun for some roles, including operations managers, engineers, HR and IT specialists, while applications for staff who pick, pack and ship customer orders will begin in the coming weeks.
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey said: “I was very pleased to learn such a substantial and well known business such as Amazon had chosen Rugby for their new fulfilment centre and that in time it will provide 400 permanent jobs, and opportunities, for local people.
“The decision demonstrates the ever increasing strength of our thriving local economy and the confidence that business has in our area.”
Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said the move highlighted how the region’s infrastructure and transport links made it an attractive location for attracting businesses and jobs in the future.
She said: “This is great news for the borough, bringing an additional jobs boost for the area.
“What this illustrates is the need for our region to be even more prepared when it comes to the supply of land for jobs, because it’s vital that major inward investors are able to find the space they are looking for when they want to locate here.”
The company’s director of UK customer fulfilment Stefano Perego said: “We are delighted to expand our operations in the Midlands where we already have a dedicated workforce of more than 2,500 people at fulfilment centres in Rugeley, Coalville and Daventry.”
“We are thrilled to begin recruitment for 400 new permanent roles in Rugby.”
Amazon is increasing the size of its UK fulfilment centre network to meet increasing customer demand, expand its product range and enable small-to-medium sized companies selling on Amazon Marketplace to scale their businesses.
The company has already announced the first dedicated UK receive centre will open in Coventry in 2018, which will act as a central hub to receive and sort millions of products sold on Amazon.co.uk each year. Recruitment for Coventry has begun and will create 1,650 permanent jobs.
Amazon also announced plans to open three further new fulfilment centres in 2018 in Coventry, Bristol and Bolton – adding to its 16 centres nationwide.
A completion date for the new Rugby centre has not yet been set, but it is due to open later this year.
