I’m thrilled to sit down with Marco Gaietti, a veteran in business management with decades of experience in strategic operations and customer relations. Today, we’re diving into the exciting news of a major expansion in European eCommerce logistics—a new fulfilment center in Poland by a leading British company. Marco brings a wealth of insight into how such moves shape the industry, from slashing delivery times to driving down costs for brands. In our conversation, we’ll explore the strategic reasoning behind the location choice, the impact on delivery speeds across Europe, the cost benefits for eCommerce businesses, and the broader vision for global growth. Let’s get started!
How does the choice of Gorzów, Poland, as a location for a new fulfilment center reflect strategic thinking in logistics?
Choosing Gorzów, Poland, is a brilliant move from a logistics standpoint. It’s nestled in one of Europe’s fastest-growing logistics corridors, which means access to major transport hubs like Poznań, Warsaw, and Berlin. This positioning offers seamless connectivity to parcel and freight networks, making it a gateway to multiple markets. Beyond that, Poland has become a hotbed for infrastructure development, with competitive labor costs and a skilled workforce. It’s a location that balances cost-efficiency with proximity to key consumer bases in Central and Western Europe.
What advantages does this new facility bring to delivery speeds for European customers?
The impact on delivery times is significant. With the ability to offer next-day delivery to over 80 million consumers across countries like Poland, Germany, Czechia, Slovakia, and Austria, this center cuts down transit times dramatically. When you pair it with an existing hub like one in the Netherlands, you create a complementary network that covers a huge swath of Europe efficiently. It’s all about reducing the last-mile challenge—getting products to customers faster than ever, which is a game-changer for customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.
In what ways can a new fulfilment center in Poland help eCommerce brands save on costs?
Cost savings are a big driver here. Operating in Poland often means lower labor and real estate costs compared to Western European countries, without sacrificing quality or access to markets. Additionally, being closer to a large customer base reduces shipping expenses—fewer long-haul routes mean lower fuel and transport costs. For eCommerce brands, these savings can translate into more competitive pricing or reinvestment into growth areas like marketing or product development. It’s a win-win.
As this marks the seventh global location for the company, can you share insights into how such expansions fit into a broader international strategy?
Expanding to a seventh global location shows a clear focus on building a robust, interconnected network. The strategy likely revolves around identifying high-growth eCommerce regions and ensuring proximity to both suppliers and consumers. Each new center, like this one in Poland, acts as a puzzle piece that connects with facilities in places like the US, Australia, and Canada to create a seamless global operation. It’s about scalability—ensuring they can handle increased demand while maintaining service levels, and using data to pinpoint where the next big market opportunity lies.
What unique features or capabilities might a facility like the one in Gorzów offer to stand out in the competitive logistics space?
One standout feature is the ability to handle Dangerous Goods (DG), which isn’t something every fulfilment center can do. This requires specialized compliance, training, and infrastructure, and it opens doors for brands selling products like cosmetics, chemicals, or certain electronics that fall under strict regulations. Beyond that, modern facilities often integrate cutting-edge technology for inventory tracking and order processing, which boosts efficiency and transparency. It’s these niche capabilities that can set a center apart in a crowded market.
The mission to help brands “see more, sell more, and grow more” is a powerful vision. Can you elaborate on how fulfilment operations contribute to this goal?
Absolutely. This mission is about empowering brands with the tools and insights they need to thrive. Fulfilment operations play a key role by providing real-time data through tech platforms—think dashboards that show inventory levels, order statuses, and shipping analytics. This visibility helps brands make smarter decisions. On top of that, services like international consultancy can guide them into new markets with confidence, handling everything from customs to local regulations. It’s about removing barriers so brands can focus on growth.
What do you think are some of the biggest challenges in setting up a new fulfilment center in a location like Poland?
Setting up a new center always comes with hurdles. In a place like Poland, you might face challenges around navigating local regulations or building a reliable supply chain network from scratch. There’s also the task of recruiting and training a workforce to meet high operational standards, especially in a competitive labor market. Infrastructure readiness can be another issue—ensuring the facility has access to reliable power, internet, and transport links. Overcoming these requires meticulous planning and strong local partnerships.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of eCommerce logistics in Europe?
I see eCommerce logistics in Europe continuing to evolve at a rapid pace. We’re likely to witness even more investment in automation and AI to streamline operations and predict demand more accurately. Sustainability will also take center stage—think eco-friendly packaging and optimized delivery routes to cut carbon footprints. Additionally, as consumer expectations for speed and transparency grow, companies will push for hyper-local fulfilment centers to enable same-day delivery. It’s an exciting time, but it’ll demand agility and innovation to stay ahead of the curve.
