Amazon opens distribution centre in Rugby, creating 400 jobs

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) has announced plans to open a new distribution centre in Rugby, creating 400 jobs.

In a drive to meet growing customer demand, the online giant will be opening a new centre in the Midlands has started recruiting managers, engineers, HR and IT specialists.

“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,” said Stefano Perego, Amazon’s director of customer fulfilment.

“We are thrilled to begin recruitment for 400 new permanent roles in Rugby with competitive wages and comprehensive benefits starting on day one.”

The news comes following a report by the Centre for Cities, which found that one in five jobs in British cities were likely to be lost as technology developed and replace human employees. 

Amazon currently has 16 UK fulfilment centres, some of which have received criticism in the past for the poor working conditions, including difficult performance targets for those arranging items for delivery.

The tech giant will begin the recruitment process for factory floor staff in the coming weeks.

“The pay rate for permanent Amazon employees increases over their first two years of employment, when all employees earn £8.35 an hour and above,” said Amazon, about the pay-package.

“All permanent Amazon fulfilment centre employees are given stock grants, which over the last five years were on average equal to £1,000 or more per year per person.

“Employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidised meals and an employee discount, which combined are worth more than £700 annually, as well as a company pension plan.”

Mark Pawey, Tory MP for Rugby, said: “I was very pleased to learn that such a substantial and well-known business such as Amazon had chosen Rugby for their new fulfilment centre.