The Journey of Our Amazon Orders: A Look Inside the Distribution Center in Vienna-Liesing

For five years, the US internet giant Amazon has been present on Perfektastraße in Vienna-Liesing with a large distribution center ("DVI2"). It supplies not only the city but also parts of the eastern region. Between 40,000 and 60,000 packages are delivered and dispatched there daily, as explained during a tour with media representatives. The fluctuations result from seasonal peaks. The major redistribution mainly occurs at night.

Those who suspect gigantic depots in the company's halls, where millions of products await buyers, are not wrong. However, these large warehouses are located in logistics centers, as the responsible spokesperson Steffen Adler explained. Such centers exist in Germany, but not in Austria. Distribution centers like the one in Liesing, on the other hand, only have comparatively tiny storage areas - for deliveries that could not be delivered and are redistributed the next day.

From the Truck to the Colorful Bag

In the distribution centers, the packages are delivered to the house via truck, fully packed at night, to be brought to customers during the day. 15 to 20 semi-trailers dock daily. They are full of goods from the logistics centers. The distribution in the almost 8,000 square meter hall is done using modern systems, with the boxes and envelopes being repeatedly scanned. In the end, they usually end up in one of the colorful bags handed over to the delivery personnel. Only larger packages are transported separately.

The capacity of the Amazon distribution centers is determined by the conveyor belts installed there. In Liesing, there are four rows - also called fingers at Amazon. This makes it one of the larger facilities of its kind in the country. According to Steffen Adler, a total of 160 people are employed. The number of employees has grown since the opening, it is emphasized.

Holidays Mean Peak Times

During peak times like Christmas, additional staff is temporarily hired. However, other holidays like Easter and special discount events like "Prime Days" also result in increased volume, according to the company. It is rarely apparent what is being ordered, though. This is because the majority of items are still packaged by Amazon - which also takes place in the logistics centers.

To save resources, products are increasingly being shipped in their original boxes, without additional wrapping, as the spokesperson reported. Thus, some purchases are clearly identifiable at the distribution center, with diapers and garden tools being notably visible recently. For products distributed here, there is a weight limit: 23 kilos is the maximum. Heavier purchases are handled differently, often with logistics partners.

Around 250 Tours Daily

The delivery of packages processed through the distribution center is also handled by external companies. They must have a certain size. According to Amazon, individual couriers are not contracted. Deliveries are picked up by drivers from around 10:30 AM, then proceed on the precisely planned, approximately 250 daily tours. These lead not only through Vienna but also to Lower Austria and Burgenland.

The goal is to ensure that there is no great rush during distribution or delivery, it is emphasized. This is to be enabled through precise planning. According to in-house statistics, this approach is successful: 90 percent of the trips are completed on time or even faster than planned, it is said.

Interrupting the complex processes is not advisable, it is assured. In other words: Even packages where the Amazon distribution center itself appears as the recipient go through the procedure. They are not fished out of the pile of deliveries in the hall but are also handed over to a courier - who then delivers the package to the reception.

Further Expansion Considered

In addition to the location in Liesing, the online retailer also has distribution centers in Vienna-Simmering, Großebersdorf, Premstätten, and Klagenfurt. Further expansion is indeed being considered, as logistics spokesperson Adler explained. However, there have also been setbacks recently: Plans for an Amazon distribution center in St. Valentin were not implemented.

(APA/Red)

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