BUSINESSES across the UK have been given a major boost after leading UK logistics provider TNT opened the doors to its new £15.5m super depot and regional sorting hub in Swindon yesterday.

The official opening, in front of more than 100 business leaders from across the UK, will mean a dramatic improvement to delivery services to and from the south west’s 467,000 businesses.

Benefits will also be felt by companies throughout the rest of the UK.

The new facility frees up capacity elsewhere in TNT’s network, which carries more than 1.5 million items a week.

The state-of-the-art 101-door building boasts purpose-built sorting technology capable of processing more than 650 items a minute.

Since opening, the development has has also created 85 new jobs in managerial, warehouse and driving roles.

Marianne Culver, the managing director of TNT UK (Domestic), said: “The opening of the Swindon depot and the improved service it allows us to deliver to customers is great news, not just for TNT, but most importantly for the tens of thousands of UK businesses we serve every single day.

“Swindon is a flagship development and will set new standards of excellence in how we operate, the technology we use and how we utilise our strongest assets, our people.”

By reducing the need for freight destined for the south of England to be transported to and from TNT’s Midlands-based sortation hubs each night, the new facility will not only make TNT’s operation more efficient, but will also deliver environmental benefits.

The site, just off the M4 on G Park industrial estate, was chosen as the ideal location for the new development due to its easy motorway access to cities and major industrial centres across the wider south of England, as well as TNT’s central hubs.

Marco van Kalleveen, TNT’s global managing director of domestics, unveiled a plaque to officially open the site and highlighted the importance of Swindon and the benefits it will bring to UK businesses.

The 56,000sq ft warehouse was built in 26 weeks and is on an 11- acre site.