Arla has opened a distribution terminal to serve the northern and eastern regions of Germany.

The centre, which is located in the Lower Saxon town of Heidenau, 20km south of Hamburg, features a 10,000m² warehouse with cooling areas and office buildings. It was completed on schedule at the end of January .

The complex, which is operated by DSV Solutions, will be used by Arla Foods to serve as the logistical hub.

"This new distribution centre will play an important part in our continued efforts to develop our German business."

The new distribution facility will stock products from around 30 Arla dairy sites across Europe in the next few months.

A team of 40 employees will daily move 1,200 pallets around the incoming / outgoing goods section.

Arla Foods vice-president of logistics Michiel de Jonge said: "Arla strives to be among the very best dairy companies in all Germany, with top-class service and delivery to our retail customers and high-quality dairy products for consumers in Germany.

"This new distribution centre will play an important part in our continued efforts to develop our German business and the German dairy industry."

Arla is a leading dairy brand in Germany.