The first phase of a giant warehousing complex geared for the needs of online shopping is taking shape at Ipswich, off the A14. The Great Blakenham scheme – described as groundbreaking – will be a warehouse and distribution complex which is set to break with traditional norms with its building
A project funded by AEW UK Investment Management, which has bought the site from Caddick Group in the stages to start construction. Wakefield 515, which will be speculatively built, marks the second phase of Crosspoint 33, an emerging warehouse & logistics hub by junction 33 of the M62 motorway. Caddick
Winvic is building two big warehouses for speculative logistics developer Panattoni at its Panattoni Park Luton site, next to the new junction 11A of the M1. The first shed, Luton 345 has a haunch height of 15 metres, and offers 345,000 sq ft of space and an additional 13,500 sq
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) has appointed McLaren to build a warehouse and logistics facility on the site of a former WWII aircraft hangar at Manchester Airport The design and build project, which will be known as ‘dnata City North’, incorporates the construction of a 145,000 sq ft warehouse and logistics
DP World London Gateway has secured multiple recognition from The Planet Mark for reducing its carbon footprint at its Thames-based trade-enabling hub. The integrated logistics hub secured two awards at The Planet Mark’s national awards last month, winning the Supply Chain Engagement and Carbon Reduction categories. The Planet Mark’s report,
Construction has started on a £60m logistics base for Europa Worldwide Group in Northamptonshire. The 715,000 sq ft development will be located at Midlands Logistics Park in Corby and is due to be completed in June 2020. The new facility will double Europa Warehouse’s logistics portfolio. Managing director Andrew Baxter said: “We’re delighted to
Detailed planning consent has been granted for 824,000 Sq Ft of industrial warehouse space on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration together with its Joint venture
Panattoni has submitted plans for a 305,000 sq ft warehouse at Crewe Commercial Park. The warehouse will be built on a 14-acre plot, adjacent to its newly completed 240,000 sq ft speculative logistics facility The developer has submitted a reserved matters application for a warehouse of 291,239 sq ft, along
Menzies Distribution has appointed adi Group to redevelop their flagship distribution centre in Coventry. The new state-of-the-art 165,000 sq ft media and distribution hub has been designed to be an integral part of Menzies’ UK & Ireland operation. Serving the firm’s network of 65 regional hubs, adi Building & Refurbishment
Specialist logistics developer and investor PLP (Peel Logistics Property), has bought a 17 acre development site at Smithy Wood Business Park in Sheffield from St Pauls Developments and the Norfolk Estate where it will speculatively build a 343,000 sq ft warehouse. The site was sold subject to planning and having
The first phase of a giant warehousing complex geared for the needs of online shopping is taking shape at Ipswich, off the A14. The Great Blakenham scheme – described as groundbreaking – will be a warehouse and distribution complex which is set to break with traditional norms with its building design. Developer Curzon de Vere said the aim was of Port One Logistics Park is to give e-commerce operations warehousing and distribution facilities geared to their needs. It said most e-commerce activities were being conducted from centre designed and built for other purposes and many operators were experiencing inefficiencies and high costs as a result. With leases agreed and planning approval in place, Anglia Building Services Ltd has started work on the first phase of the 60-acre site, off the A14’s junction 52, which will result in three units being built within the next year. The first 143,000sq ft unit has been designed for Ipswich-based Chinese fulfilment house operator FDS Corporation Ltd. FDS general manager Sheng Li said: “The past three years has shown us how well our Suffolk location works for us and our growth has given us the confidence to look at a new facility.” Ports and logistics solutions specialist Murray Gibson Associates Ltd, who is providing architecture services, said it was an “exceptional” project, with the building designed from the inside out. “It is very rarely that you get the opportunity of a completely clean sheet of paper on which to design an operation that not only exceeds the client’s original brief, but also ticks so many of the desirable supply chain features that this site in particular offers,” said the firm’s owner Murray Gibson. “Having perfected the internal layout and process flows, it was literally a case of wrapping the building around it.” A fulfilment house differs from conventional warehouses in its use of the ‘cube’ of the building rather than just focusing on the floor area, he explained. “This three-dimensional approach has enabled us to achieve a density of over 32,000 pallets of storage, nine-high with semi-automated locating.” It is thought that around a fifth of UK consumer purchases will be made online by the end of 2019, and that will increase to around a quarter by 2023, with the UK leading Europe in its growing preference for online shopping. “Behind the scenes, nothing short of a mini-revolution has taken place, largely unseen, that ensures our online purchases arrive where we want them and when, leaving us to get on with our busy lives,” explained Mr Gibson. “By cutting out multiple distribution centres and stores and delivering direct to the consumer, retailing is now embedded in the processes that enable us to buy products on our computer, tablet or smart phone. Orders are picked, labelled and marshalled for dispatch by courier and delivery companies to our chosen destination, offering an ever-widening number of options to suit our individual lifestyles.” Other buildings of between 50,000 and 700,000sq ft are planned for the logistics park. They will follow similar design principles, with planning consent for building heights of more than 20 metres. Easy access to the east and westbound carriageways of the A14 are key feature of the site, which will be operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Port One Logistics Park enters the market in exactly the right place and at the right time,” said Mr Gibson. “According to industry analysts Retail Economics, and demonstrated at this year’s United Kingdom Warehousing Association national conference, a further 44m sq ft of warehouse space needs to be built in the UK by the end of 2021 – just to meet the demands of the online retail sector.”
A project funded by AEW UK Investment Management, which has bought the site from Caddick Group in the stages to start construction. Wakefield 515, which will be speculatively built, marks the second phase of Crosspoint 33, an emerging warehouse & logistics hub by junction 33 of the M62 motorway. Caddick also built the first phase – a £100m 1.2m sq ft distribution centre now occupied by TJX Europe, parent company of retail brands TK Maxx and HomeSense. Myles Hartley, managing director at Caddick Developments, detailed thoughts on his company’s beds-and-sheds strategy. “As a group, our focus is on structurally-supported asset classes such as build-to-rent and industrial/logistics, where we see long-term growth potential,” he said. Caddick’s build-to-rent housing brand, Moda Living, opened its first development, Angel Gardens in central Manchester, last month. It is also due to start on-site with the first phase of its £300m SOYO neighbourhood in Leeds city centre, a 515-home BTR scheme that Caddick Construction will build for Moda Living.
Winvic is building two big warehouses for speculative logistics developer Panattoni at its Panattoni Park Luton site, next to the new junction 11A of the M1. The first shed, Luton 345 has a haunch height of 15 metres, and offers 345,000 sq ft of space and an additional 13,500 sq ft of offices over two floors. The second warehouse, Luton 69, is 13.1 metres high, has a 69,000 sq ft footprint and provides 7,700 sq ft of office space. Winvic will also be carrying out the associated civils and infrastructure work, including car and lorry parking. Both Luton 69 and Luton 345 are expected to be completed in December 2019. Winvic is also already working for Panattoni putting up warehouses at Derby Commercial Park and the East Midlands Distribution Centre. Winvic director Danny Nelson said: “Our relationship with Panattoni has gone from strength to strength, and starting another project together – over a short amount of time – illustrates how hard our whole company works to create robust bonds with clients. We are focused on meeting, and exceeding, expectations and are proud that our values help to position us as a trusted leader in the industrial sector.” James Watson, development director of Panattoni UK, said: “Having appointed Winvic on a number of occasions, we are confident their management and construction of this project will be of the highest standards. We are dedicated to providing only the best quality buildings in the best locations and Panattoni Park Luton fulfils these ambitions, in part due to Winvic’s vast experience in constructing first-rate, modern warehouse facilities.”
MAG (Manchester Airports Group) has appointed McLaren to build a warehouse and logistics facility on the site of a former WWII aircraft hangar at Manchester Airport The design and build project, which will be known as ‘dnata City North’, incorporates the construction of a 145,000 sq ft warehouse and logistics facility with a two-storey office space. Designed by architect RPS, dnata’s new warehouse and logistics facility will set a new benchmark for air cargo handling and warehousing. McLaren will manage the Cat B fit-out of 20,000 sq ft of dnata-branded office space and will oversee external drainage and landscaping works. During the design process, virtual reality technology was used to future-proof the building. The facility will include flexible office accommodation, providing a mixture of workspace and meeting facilities, as well as breakout spaces and a fitness suite. David Murphy, managing director of operations at McLaren, said: “By working closely with MAG Property, the property and development arm of MAG, and dnata at the earliest stage of this project, it became evident that attention to detail and strong management of construction schedules and logistics will be crucial to the success of this project. “By leveraging our close relationships with our supply chain partners and focusing on MAG’s specific business drivers, we have been able to develop an effective and robust plan for the design and build of dnata’s new logistics warehouse and office space.” Jonathan Haigh, MAG property’s managing director, added: “The scale of dnata’s ambition and longevity of commitment rightly called for our assembly of this prime site and for a suitably impressive scheme to fully exploit its potential. “From master planning to transaction execution, it’s been a great example of how we blend our airport operations knowledge with real estate development expertise and work hard and with skill for our customers.” dnata UK chief executive Gary Morgan, commented: “We’ve worked closely with MAG Property and the design team to ensure that dnata City North is able to adapt to the dynamic industry in which we operate, as well as providing our staff with a quality working environment.” Particularly well situated for ease of airfield access, the new warehouse and logistics facility will allow dnata to consolidate and grow its Manchester operations with the capacity to handle over 150,000 tonnes per annum. It will become operational in late summer 2020.
DP World London Gateway has secured multiple recognition from The Planet Mark for reducing its carbon footprint at its Thames-based trade-enabling hub. The integrated logistics hub secured two awards at The Planet Mark’s national awards last month, winning the Supply Chain Engagement and Carbon Reduction categories. The Planet Mark’s report, earlier this year, highlighted that DP World London Gateway Port has reduced its carbon emissions by 24.9% per TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit container) from 2017 to 2018. Carbon reductions of 18% were also achieved during construction of the latest warehouse to open at its Logistics Park – a multi-temperature facility operated by CEVA Logistics – equating to 2,561 tonnes of carbon dioxide. As a result, both facilities received The Planet Mark accreditation – an internationally recognised and trusted sustainability certification acknowledging commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability. Such consideration to sustainability means that those businesses using DP World London Gateway can be assured that their supply chains are more environmentally friendly. Steve Malkin, CEO of Planet First and co-founder of The Planet Mark, said: “We’ve been working with DP World London Gateway for several years now and it is encouraging that, despite being a rapidly growing business, their carbon emissions are continuing to reduce. I have been continually impressed by their commitment to operating in the most environmentally possible way, and by the innovative ways that they have worked to achieve this. From using hybrid and electric vehicles to ensuring that their operations are planned in such a way that vehicles that do use diesel travel the least possible distance. The business provides a strong example of how to operate a leaner – and therefore cleaner – supply chain.” DP World London Gateway was intentionally designed to offer shippers a highly flexible opportunity to consolidate and sort products for onward distribution at its logistics park just a few hundred yards from the quay side, significantly reducing the number of trucks on the road and lowering carbon emissions. Ernst Schulze, UK Chief Executive Officer, DP World, said: “As a global trade enabler, we know that our operations have a wide-reaching impact on people and on the planet, that extends beyond ensuring that people have the things that they need, when they need them. That is why we’re committed to intentional change and operating a sustainable business to minimise social and environmental impacts, today and in the future. Partnering with Planet Mark™ to reduce carbon emissions across our operations at DP World London Gateway is part of how we achieve this and hold ourselves accountable. I am proud of our latest accreditations and awards with The Planet Mark. It proves we can offer our customers the assurance that by partnering with us their supply chains are more sustainable.” Source: DP World London Gateway
Construction has started on a £60m logistics base for Europa Worldwide Group in Northamptonshire. The 715,000 sq ft development will be located at Midlands Logistics Park in Corby and is due to be completed in June 2020. The new facility will double Europa Warehouse’s logistics portfolio. Managing director Andrew Baxter said: “We’re delighted to announce this huge investment in our logistics operation at a time of massive growth at Europa. “This is the single biggest investment we have ever made since I acquired the business in 2013 and it demonstrates our ambition to strengthen our 3PL operation at a time of huge market growth particularly for e-commerce Logistics.” Midlands Logistics Park in Corby has created 2,200 local jobs since 2015. It is built on the site of a former British Steel quarry, latterly Stanion Plantationm and covers 150 acres. The development has been agreed with Corby Land and Development Ltd, a joint venture between Mulberry Developments and Frogmore who will also develop out the facility. The main contractor is VolkerFitzpatrick. Europa is being supported by the team at Budworth Hardcastle (Property Consultants).
Detailed planning consent has been granted for 824,000 Sq Ft of industrial warehouse space on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1. St Francis Group, a leading UK-based property development and investment group and an expert in brownfield development and regeneration together with its Joint venture partners iSec have today announced details of a major new development on land next to Markham Vale off junction 29A of the M1 upon which it intends to develop five new warehouse developments. The brownfield site has been unused since the Coalite works closed over a decade ago but now joint venture partners iSec and brownfield regeneration specialist St Francis Group will start ground works immediately to make plots ready for development. Occupiers could move into high quality industrial warehouse and manufacturing space from Q2 2021. A second application seeking outline consent for an additional 500,000 sq ft in two units on adjoining land has also been submitted by the developers to North East Derbyshire District Council. At 1.32 million sq ft the scheme is destined to play a national role in the ever-expanding logistics market based on increasing demand from e-commerce channels. The developers together with community leaders also want to make sure the business park provides a broad range of jobs across the manufacturing and technology sectors. As well as stimulating significant local job opportunities, the developers expect the scheme to stimulate fresh inward investment in the area boosting the local economy. It is also planned to upgrade the surrounding road network with significant improvement works planned for Buttermilk Lane likely to start early next year. Talking about the project, Gareth Williams, Development Director at St Francis Group said; “It is well documented that there is significant levels of pent up demand across the region and indeed the UK for high quality industrial units as businesses look to expand or relocate. A considerable amount of time and effort has gone in to ensuring that this development will meet the very high standards expected by todays occupiers. The units will sit in a high-quality environment only minutes from the M1”. Following a formal launch early next year, marketing will target occupiers looking for bespoke buildings, built to meet specific requirements. iSec and St Francis Group have instructed Knight Frank and CBRE as sole joint letting agents.
Panattoni has submitted plans for a 305,000 sq ft warehouse at Crewe Commercial Park. The warehouse will be built on a 14-acre plot, adjacent to its newly completed 240,000 sq ft speculative logistics facility The developer has submitted a reserved matters application for a warehouse of 291,239 sq ft, along with 13,864 sq ft of integrated three-storey offices and a security gatehouse. The site occupies a prominent position adjacent to the A500, offering easy access to J16 of the M6. Once built, the development will add £3 million per year into the local economy and bring over 300 full-time jobs. Dan Burn, development director at Panattoni, said: “We have been hugely encouraged with the interest that we have received to date for our 240,000 sq ft speculative unit. By submitting this application, we will ensure that we can respond immediately to occupier’s requirements and give ourselves the option of a further phase of speculative development at the appropriate time”. Matthew Byrom, managing director of Panattoni, added: “As a result of its strategic location between the North West and West Midlands conurbations, Crewe has always attracted a strong list of occupiers. With proposals for the town to become a hub for HS2, we are confident of robust demand”. CBRE, Burbage Realty and Legat Owen are the retained agents on the scheme.
Menzies Distribution has appointed adi Group to redevelop their flagship distribution centre in Coventry. The new state-of-the-art 165,000 sq ft media and distribution hub has been designed to be an integral part of Menzies’ UK & Ireland operation. Serving the firm’s network of 65 regional hubs, adi Building & Refurbishment was brought in to play a key role in the development process, delivering both internal and external work to tight deadlines and quick turnaround times. Commenting on the project, adi Building & Refurbishment managing director David Beebee said: “It’s a pleasure to be working with Menzies on this development. “Over the past few months, we’ve been working hard to implement a strategy that would allow Menzies to rapidly expand its distribution base as well as continue operations as normal. “Thanks to the fast growth of our business and the talent base at our disposal, I’m pleased to say that at all times we’ve been able to execute the programme with the upmost efficiency.” Winning the Menzies project is partly the result of adi Building & Refurbishment building its brand regionally over the last couple of years, positioning itself to fill the void left by other contractors that have gone out of business or that have been bought by large national construction companies. More importantly to them, however, it is through delivering previous projects to a very high standard. With a customer satisfaction rating consistently nudging 100%, the business puts a lot of emphasis on understanding clients’ needs and expectations and implementing a plan that meets those needs as an absolute minimum. David added: “Following on from the exciting work we’ve been doing with other clients on similar buildings, this contract represents another huge feather in the cap of adi Building & Refurbishment. “Interior fit-out is a key service stream for us now and particularly in the future. We also have significant experience building, refurbishing and fitting out distribution centres and other similar structures and see this as a key area to grow too.” Fitting out offices, reception areas and the main warehouse, adi has been heavily involved in the Menzies project, engaging with architects, local authorities and planning parties on behalf of the client. External work has included new barriers, turnstiles and halogen fencing, as Menzies significantly steps up its portfolio of print media haulage in the UK. “The new distribution hub really formulates part of a wider growth strategy for us,” said Greg Michael, CEO at Menzies Distribution. “We’ve recently taken on new contracts with Frontline Ltd and Seymour Distribution, both of which will see us take their products to over 25,000 retailers. “In adi Building & Refurbishment, we knew we’d found a contractor that could help us design and deliver the space we needed at what will be our largest distribution centre, as well as meet time critical deadlines. “This project will drive further improvements in our daily logistical operations for retailers across the UK & Ireland. So far, however, adi has either met or exceeded my expectation in every regard.” Birmingham-based adi Group is a multi-disciplined construction and engineering firm, with over 30 specialist service sectors meeting the needs of thriving start-ups and national brands across the UK & Republic of Ireland.
Specialist logistics developer and investor PLP (Peel Logistics Property), has bought a 17 acre development site at Smithy Wood Business Park in Sheffield from St Pauls Developments and the Norfolk Estate where it will speculatively build a 343,000 sq ft warehouse. The site was sold subject to planning and having received it, the new owner intends to get started on a speculative build as soon as possible. The facility will be one of the largest warehouses in the Yorkshire region. Construction will commence this year with completion in Autumn 2020. Smithy Wood Business Park, adjacent to Junction 35 of the M1 motorway in Sheffield is a well established commercial location and home to occupiers such as DPD, Cutting and Wear and Arthrex. Matthew Fitton, development director at PLP, said: “Given the proximity of the site to the M1 motorway and Sheffield, PLP Smithy Wood will offer great accessibility and market connectivity. PLP has the confidence here to speculatively build one of the largest warehouses in the region.” “In line with PLP’s long term sustainability policies, we’re installing roof mounted solar panels, multiple electric charging points for vehicles and the infrastructure to augment these post construction. We are also making a significant investment in the local ecology of the site, improving the biodiversity of the surrounding area.’’ David Newton, MD of St Pauls Developments, said: “We always believed in Smithy Wood’s location, being so close to J35 M1, and this encouraged us to invest in the site to create a fully serviced, strategic land holding. PLP’s decision to purchase and develop 17 acres is exactly the type of deal we felt we could attract, and I am sure it will be a successful project for them.” The PLP platform is owned by MIRA Real Estate, Peel Group, Ivanhoé Cambridge and its senior management team. CPP have been appointed as leasing agents for the scheme.