From Radomsko to Lelystad: Jaroslaw drives JYSK’s Next-Gen Distribution Centre

11 years ago, Jaroslaw Sobczyk began his career at JYSK at the Distribution Centre in Radomsko, Poland. Now, he has taken on a new challenge in the Netherlands, in Lelystad, where JYSK will open a state-of-the-art Distribution Centre in 2027.

GOJYSK meets Jaroslaw Sobczyk at the temporary Distribution Centre in Lelystad, located right next to the site where the new 147,000-square-metre facility is under construction.

From his office, the 46-year-old Logistics Director looks out over what will be his workplace for the coming years. He is responsible for guiding the opening of one of the most advanced Distribution Centres at JYSK.

Drawing on experience from Ecser

Originally from Poland, Jaroslaw began his career at JYSK in 2014 at the Distribution Centre in Radomsko and has since successfully led the construction of new Distribution Centres in Bozhurishte (Bulgaria) and Ecser (Hungary).

In Hungary, Jaroslaw helped build the Ecser Distribution Centre from scratch.

“It was a greenfield project. I was the first one on board. Together with the project and local team, we met all deadlines and ended with a dedicated team of almost 400 employees serving seven countries - more than originally planned,” he says.

Now, he is ready to take on the establishment of the new Distribution Centre in Lelystad, where a different kind of challenge awaits.

“There’s already a logistics organisation of almost 100 people in Lelystad. The temporary DC is up and running, and construction is progressing well, but we’ll be scaling up significantly over the next two years,” he explains.

DC Lelystad reaches its highest point

Recently, construction of the Distribution Centre in Lelystad reached a milestone when the two high-bay warehouses were successfully built to their full hight of 46 metres.

The advanced Distribution Centre will operate on state-of-the-art technologies and a high level of automation.

“This DC represents the next step in our logistics development. Online logistics requires different technologies than store deliveries. We use much more complex solutions for storing and handling small boxes. A major part of order preparations for online customers will be handled with advanced technologies and systems, including robots,” Jaroslaw says.

“People will still be involved, but the process is much more automated. That means more flexibility and faster delivery times for customers in the Netherlands, Belgium and France,” he adds.

Success builds on strong teams

Jaroslaw is determined to match the success of the opening in Hungary.

“Just like in Ecser, we want to deliver everything on time and within the timeline and budget. Building a new DC is one thing, the real challenge lies in the technology and in building strong teams. My goal, together with the project organisation, is to make Lelystad the best project ever.”