Skechers' Mega-Hub: A High-Tech Bet on Belgium's Logistical Future

LIÈGE, Belgium – July 29, 2026 – As the steel skeleton of Skechers' new European Distribution Center (EDC) reaches its full height just minutes from Liège Airport, it represents more than just another logistics hub. The sprawling 230,000-square-meter facility, set for construction completion in August 2026, is a powerful statement about the future of European supply chains—a future where automation, sustainability, and strategic geography converge. For Skechers, it's a critical infrastructure play to fuel its continental growth. For the Wallonia region of Belgium, it's a resounding vote of confidence, cementing its status as one of Europe's most vital logistics crossroads.

This isn't merely an expansion; it's a strategic realignment. The facility, a joint venture between real estate giants Weerts Group and Montea, will be one of the most advanced of its kind. It promises not only to streamline the distribution of millions of pairs of shoes but also to offer a compelling case study in how to balance technological advancement with workforce stability in a high-cost economic zone.

Wallonia's Ascent as Europe's Logistics Crossroads

The decision to double down on Liège is no accident. Skechers has operated here for over two decades, but this new investment elevates the partnership to a new level. The choice underscores Wallonia's deliberate and successful transformation into a premier logistics powerhouse. Strategically positioned with multimodal access to a market of over 500 million consumers, the region has become a magnet for global firms.

This gravitational pull is anchored by Liège Airport, Europe's 5th largest cargo airport, which is in the midst of a €500 million “CargoLand” expansion. The project aims to catapult the airport into the continent's top three by 2040, creating a logistics ecosystem that few locations can match. It’s this public infrastructure investment that gives private companies like Skechers the confidence to build for the long term. As Pierre-Yves Jeholet, Wallonia's Minister for the Economy, Industry and Employment, noted, “This investment secures jobs, strengthens Wallonia’s position as a leading logistics hub in Europe and sends a clear message: international companies continue to choose Wallonia to grow and invest.”

For Skechers, which has been in the region since 2002, the new facility's proximity to its long-standing Milmort site is key. It ensures a smooth transition for its more than 1,200 existing employees, retaining valuable institutional knowledge and experience while scaling up for the future. The project validates the role of regional bodies like the Wallonia Export & Investment Agency (AWEX) and SOWAER in creating a stable and attractive environment for foreign capital.

The Anatomy of a Smart Supply Chain

Beneath the roof of the new EDC lies a vision for a smarter, more resilient supply chain. The building is designed to achieve BREEAM Excellence certification, a high bar for sustainable construction that assesses everything from energy use to ecological impact. Plans include a rooftop renewable energy plant and considerations for a battery energy storage system, signaling a commitment to operational efficiency that aligns with both regulatory pressures and consumer expectations. “This massive, automated and sustainable building puts us at the forefront of innovative distribution to the continent,” said David Weinberg, COO at Skechers.

Driving this innovation is KNAPP, the Austrian intralogistics firm tasked with orchestrating the facility's automated core. Building on a decade-long partnership with Skechers, KNAPP will deploy a next-generation system integrating robotics, smart software, and high-speed sorting. Installation will begin in August 2026 and roll out in phases through 2028. According to Oliver Lehner, a vice president at KNAPP, the goal is a “deep level of integration of broad automated processes” capable of handling the immense volumes required to service Skechers' entire European network—from its 500+ retail stores to its burgeoning B2C e-commerce channel. With the company's international sales now accounting for over 60% of its business and a strategic goal of reaching $10 billion in total sales, this level of efficiency is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

A Calculated Balance: People and Robots in the Future of Work

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of the Skechers-Liège project is its nuanced approach to automation. In an era where headlines often pit robots against human workers, Skechers presents a different narrative. The company has been explicit that the new technology is designed to create a “balance” that makes it possible to “keep operations in Belgium, despite the pressure of costs, and avoid a relocation scenario.”

This is automation as a tool for job retention, not just cost-cutting. By increasing throughput and efficiency, the technology allows the Liège facility to remain competitive against lower-wage regions. It acknowledges the reality that in Western Europe, technological investment is essential to preserving industrial and logistical jobs. The focus remains on retaining the existing, experienced teams from the Milmort site, transitioning them to a state-of-the-art work environment where they will manage and collaborate with advanced systems. This model suggests a future where human roles evolve from manual labor to system oversight, troubleshooting, and value-added services, requiring new skills and training but preserving the workforce's core.

The Power of Partnership: A Blueprint for Long-Term Investment

The entire project is a masterclass in long-term, multi-stakeholder collaboration. The financial and logistical architecture is built on a foundation of interlocking commitments. Real estate developers Weerts Group and Montea have secured a 50-year ground lease with Liège Airport, while Skechers has signed a 20-year triple-net lease with them. These lengthy timelines reflect deep confidence from all parties in the project's viability and the region's future.

Yves Weerts, Executive Chairman & CEO at Weerts Group, described the facility as a reflection of the “strength of our partnership with Skechers,” demonstrating that it is “possible to develop very high-quality logistics infrastructure on a European scale from within Wallonia.” This public-private synergy, which seamlessly integrates a global brand, specialized real estate developers, a world-class technology provider, and supportive government entities, provides a powerful blueprint for future large-scale investments. It shows how strategic alignment between finance, technology, and regional policy can create an economic engine built to last for decades. The new Skechers EDC is not just a building; it is a vital node in Europe’s evolving economic grid, powering growth for a global brand and the region it calls home.