Amazon is set to shut down one of its fulfillment centers, affecting 590 jobs. The closure of the Milton Keynes site, the first Amazon center established in 1998, is part of a consultation process. Impacted employees have the option to move to the new Amazon facility in Northampton or other locations within the company.
The upcoming £500 million Northampton facility, slated to open in May, will initially hire 1,400 workers, with plans to increase to 2,000 employees. Meanwhile, the Amazon sortation center in Milton Keynes, a separate division of its logistics operations, remains unaffected by the closure.
An Amazon spokesperson mentioned that the decision to close the Milton Keynes fulfillment center is part of ongoing network evaluations to align with business requirements and enhance the overall experience for employees and customers. The company aims to provide support to affected employees throughout the transition process.
In other news, Amazon has initiated drone test flights in preparation for the launch of its airborne delivery service in the UK by 2026. The test flights, starting from the Darlington base, are a prelude to offering drone deliveries to eligible customers in Darlington for packages weighing less than five pounds within a two-hour timeframe.
Amazon confirmed the commencement of Prime Air drone flights from its Darlington fulfillment center but clarified that deliveries are not yet operational, with the official launch expected in 2026. The company expressed excitement about introducing drone delivery services in the UK, highlighting collaboration with Darlington Council and the Civil Aviation Authority.
The drones are designed to operate quietly, with noise levels comparable to traditional van deliveries. Advanced onboard systems enable the drones to detect and avoid obstacles during descent, including unexpected items like clotheslines or trampolines. The technology relies on sophisticated machine learning models to recognize various objects, ensuring safe and efficient drone operations.