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Tag: BREEAM

DHL Opens Dublin Facility Supporting Tech and Healthcare Growth

Posted on by David Priestman

  • The new facility harnesses renewable energy and sustainable solutions, achieving BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and LEED ‘Gold’ classification

DHL Supply Chain today announces the opening of a new multi-user facility in Dublin, as part of the €637 million investment into the UK & Ireland region. The site is optimised for customers in the technology, life sciences and healthcare sectors, and delivers a range of specialist services.

These sectors are growing at pace, with a strong presence in Ireland which is host to 9 of the top 10 global software companies and 20 of the top 25 pharmaceutical companies in the world. The new Dublin-based site leverages DHL’s specialist services to directly address the unique needs of businesses in these industries.

From expert compliance support to customs clearance tools to full supply chain visibility, DHL delivers the right programmes and solutions to enable seamless operations and informed decision-making at all stages. For example, life sciences and healthcare customers at the new site benefit from the guarantee of zero time out of refrigeration for relevant products, with unloading docks sealed to vehicles. This enables temperature to be fully maintained at all times, an innovative feature which sets an industry standard.

Designed with sustainability at the fore, the building is certified as BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and LEED ‘Gold’, featuring several sustainable solutions including solar panels. The fleet operating out of the Dublin facility also harnesses renewable energy with a mix of electric vehicles and biomethane trucks helping to minimise carbon emissions on the road. DHL is also delivering innovative circular solutions, enabling DHL and its customers to extend the value and lifespan of products, reducing environmental impact by returning, recovering and reusing materials wherever possible.

With over 265,000 square feet of operating space, including 60,000 square feet of mezzanine flooring and 33,000 pallet spaces, the facility is located at the Quantum Distribution Park in Kilshane. The site and its customers benefit from strong transport links, situated close to Dublin Airport, Dublin Inland Port and Dublin Port.

Patrick Corbett, Managing Director Ireland, DHL Supply Chain says, “As the technology, life sciences and healthcare sectors continue to scale rapidly in Ireland, we are delighted to be opening a cutting-edge facility that caters to their needs with our specialist services. These are sectors which need flexible and resilient operations and our innovative supply chain solutions help them to maximise growth opportunities while minimising risk. The new site has been designed with longevity in mind, building in sustainable solutions across warehousing and transport.”

Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said: “DHL’s latest investment in Ireland marks a bold step towards the future of sustainable and high-tech logistics. By embracing innovation and sustainability, DHL is not just expanding its footprint but setting new standards for the industry. DHL’s investment in their cutting-edge Quantum facility will support our drive to build on our nation’s international competitiveness.”

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘’DHL’s announcement further cements Ireland’s position as a leading location for global firms in the supply chain industry. This new facility demonstrates DHL’s further commitment to embedding themselves in our vibrant business community.’’

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Körber Supply Chain Expands in Portugal

Posted on by David Priestman

Körber Business Area Supply Chain celebrated the groundbreaking of its newest manufacturing facility in Portugal, marking a major milestone in the company’s continued investment in innovation, capacity, and people. Located in the Ermida Industrial Park in Santo Tirso, near Porto, the new site will serve as a flagship for Körber’s operational excellence.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held 2nd June, welcomed Körber’s Porto leadership team, the City Hall President Dr. Alberto Costa, and strategic partners to celebrate the beginning of the construction. With this symbolic event, Körber underscores its strategic commitment to long-term growth and industrial leadership.

“With the groundbreaking of our new facility in Santo Tirso, we are investing in state-of-the-art technology, a highly skilled workforce, and a strong future for Körber and the Porto region,” said Körber CEO Stephan Seifert. “This project underlines our global growth strategy and demonstrates our belief in Portugal’s potential and innovative spirit. Together with our teams, partners, and the local community, we aim to set new standards for the future.”

Factory for the future

Expected to be in operation by the second half of 2026, the new 11,400-square-metre site will significantly expand Körber Business Area Supply Chain’s logistics and manufacturing capacity. The facility will focus on the development and production of Körber’s state-of-the-art technology for supply chain solutions, including mechanical, electrical, and software automation integration.

Designed to accommodate up to 60 flexible workstations, the factory will also feature:

• A Research and Development area for prototyping and innovation
• State-of-the-art-showroom with automation technologies
• BREEAM “Very Good” certification for sustainability
• Advanced testing areas for each equipment stream


The new factory supports Körber’s strategic pillars of sustainable growth, best-in-class solutions, and operational excellence. It also positions Portugal as a key industrial and innovation hub within Körber’s global network.

“This investment will allow Körber to further strengthen our market position in Europe and globally, and highlights Körber’s confidence in Porto” said Helena Garriga, Körber Executive Board Member and President Business Area Supply Chain. “This is a strategic step to strengthen our leadership in the global intralogistics market.”

Körber is proactively strengthening its teams across the organization to support competitive growth, with plans to employ over 400 full-time staff in Porto by the end of 2025. New local job opportunities will span nearly every area of the business: Customer Service, Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Logistics, Quality Assurance, Procurement, Project Management, Solution Design, and Sales.

Following the groundbreaking ceremony, foundation work will begin in July 2025, with operations expected to begin by the second half of 2026. Körber will continue to engage with Invest Santo Tirso and other regional partners to create new employment opportunities, invest in local skills development, and collaborate with universities and training institutions.

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New Fulfilment Centres in Spain and Italy

Posted on by David Priestman

CIRRO Fulfillment, a global e-commerce fulfillment provider, is strengthening its European network with two new state-of-the-art fulfilment centres in Spain and Italy. The Madrid facility has been operational since January, while the lease for the Novara (Lombardy) site was finalized in March. This expansion enhances CIRRO’s ability to offer faster, more efficient fulfilment solutions while reinforcing its commitment to sustainability in the e-commerce sector.

The 10,312 sqm Spanish facility, located in Villaverde just 17 km from Madrid Airport, is BREEAM Excellent-certified. Strategically positioned, it provides easy access to Avda. de Andalucía, M-40, M-45, and A-42, as well as public transport, ensuring seamless connectivity. With advanced logistics infrastructure and direct links to key transport routes, the facility enables efficient nationwide distribution and expanded coverage across Spain and the broader Iberian region.

In Italy, CIRRO’s new fulfilment centre occupies 12,312 sqm within a LEED Gold-certified logistics complex in San Pietro Mosezzo, Novara, near Milan. Strategically positioned for optimal distribution, the facility offers direct access to the A4 and A26 highways, enabling fast transportation across one of Italy’s most dynamic economic regions. It also includes 12 loading docks, designed to handle high-volume logistics with speed and efficiency while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability.

Charles Lu, Head of Business Development Europe at CIRRO Fulfillment, stated, “In 2023, Southern Europe saw remarkable growth, with a 14% increase in turnover, reaching €166 billion and becoming the second-largest market in Europe. Our new fulfillment centers in Spain and Italy further strengthen our European warehousing network, enabling faster deliveries, enhanced connectivity, and more sustainable operations. By leveraging state-of-the-art infrastructure and strategic locations, we continue to empower e-commerce businesses to scale efficiently and meet evolving market demands.”

This expansion marks a significant milestone in CIRRO Fulfillment’s mission to provide innovative, sustainable, and efficient fulfillment solutions across Europe and beyond.

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Logistics Parks Development Planned

Posted on by David Priestman

Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD) has announced new phases at three of its major UK logistics parks with a further 2.57million sq ft development planned.

At Tritax Park Oxford, the logistics developer has submitted plans to build 1.75million sq ft of state-of-the-art accommodation across nine units ranging in size from 98,000sq ft up to 317,000 sq ft. Extending up to 160 acres, the Park is situated directly alongside the M40 at J9 and the A41.

This second phase of development is estimated to create approximately 220 construction jobs; 2,105 jobs during operation and generate up to £9.87million of business rates per year.

Planning for the second phase at Tritax Park Oxford comes as TBBD is midway through the development of a new 600,000 sq ft production facility for Siemens Healthineers on phase one. Once in operation, the Siemens site will be used to design and manufacture superconducting magnets used for MRI patient scans in healthcare facilities globally and will support more than 1,300 skilled jobs.

Meanwhile, at Symmetry Park Biggleswade, TBBD has commenced the development a new, bepoke 65,847 sq ft facility for Warburtons along with four high-quality logistics buildings totalling over 750,000 sq ft, ranging in size from 139,500 sq ft up to 287,200 sq ft. This third phase will be built to BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC A+ rating. There will be a staged completion of these facilities over a six-month period, starting from Autumn 2025 onwards.

Tritax Park Oxford

Finally, TBBD has submitted a detailed planning application to Cherwell District Council for phase three at Symmetry Park Bicester. The plans would see the delivery of 270,000 sq ft industrial and logistics space across two mid-box units measuring 155,000 sq ft and 115,000 sq ft.

Speaking about the development progress, Tom Leeming Director at Tritax Big Box Developments: “Bringing forward multiple phases of development at these well-established schemes further underlines our team’s ability to identify and create best in class space for our existing and prospective clients in prime locations, such as these sites across the Oxford-Cambridge corridor.”

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Planning Submitted for Prime East Midlands Warehouse

Posted on by David Priestman

Indurent, a leading developer and operator of industrial and logistics space of all sizes across the UK, and PLP, the specialist industrial and logistics developer, have submitted a detailed planning application to North West Leicestershire District Council for the development of a Grade A c.644,000 sq ft logistics facility.

This prime East Midlands site spans 38 acres and is located immediately adjacent to Junction 24A of the M1 motorway providing direct access to 85% of the UK population within a 4-hour drive time, with Nottingham, Derby and Leicester conurbations nearby. Proximity to the East Midlands Gateway rail freight terminal and the East Midlands airport provide multi-modal logistics connectivity opportunities to the site.

The proposed development, designed by Michael Sparks Associates, will be delivered speculatively and is targeted for completion in Q1 2026. The building has been carefully designed to meet the flexible needs of large-scale logistics and industrial occupiers, who face a national shortage of well-connected buildings in the 600,000 sq ft size range.

Jake Shilston, Development Director, Indurent said “Our proposal for this site will provide businesses with a state-of-the-art logistics facility in a prime location in the Golden Triangle, with easy access to customers across the UK and Europe. We are confident this development will boost economic growth by creating employment opportunities for local residents and businesses in North West Leicestershire and the East Midlands.”

Neil Dickinson, Chief Investment Officer, at PLP said: “PLP looks forward to working closely with Indurent to deliver an extremely rare opportunity within the UK market. This speculative development will be delivered to a high specification in a prime location, and I have no doubt that we will secure a blue-chip occupier for this facility.”

The cross-docked unit will be built to a market-leading specification and associated sustainability credentials. The development will provide up to 5.4 MVA of power and will offer a unique opportunity for occupiers seeking best-in-class logistics and industrial space in the heart of the Midlands. Indurent and PLP are represented by Cushman & Wakefield and Savills.

Indurent launched in July 2024 following the integration of Industrials REIT and St. Modwen Logistics, two of the UK industrial and logistics sector’s leading developers and operators. Indurent owns and operates 28 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space across the UK, ranging from multi-let industrial space through to big-box warehousing, and supports more than 2,000 businesses across all industry sectors.

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Self-Delivered New Distribution Centres

Posted on by David Priestman

Developing new warehouse sites is imperative to meet the demand for more space in the right locations. David Priestman met with FIREM’s Senior Development Manager, Emily Armstrong, to learn how this developer manages the process.

FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) are a British commercial property and asset management company that works with tenant customers to identify and deliver flexible premises. Since 2019 the company has developed existing land it owned to self-deliver new warehousing, rather than just being a construction business. “It’s so much quicker,” Armstrong tells me. “Construction costs are stabilizing now, so we’re better able to manage costs as we have our own construction division.” Armstrong explains that FIREM can provide a one-stop-shop for development as it has in-house assets and a facilities team, “but we also use agents for bigger sites.”

FIREM’s occupier customers are often regionally-based businesses in the UK, including third party logistics operators, as well as local manufacturing or food production firms. It’s portfolio includes the £220m Botany Bay Business Park development beside a canal in Chorley, Lancashire, spanning 37 acres combining large DCs and small multi-let units, where the company is head-quartered.
FIREM has an impressive portfolio of logistics and warehousing real estate assets stretching from London to Hull, Watford to Wrexham, Peterborough to Peterlee, Coventry to Caernarfon, Basildon to Barnsley, Newcastle to Northwich, and everywhere in between: Stanworth, near Chorley and with 2 warehouse units suited to ‘Big-Box’ retail or ecommerce tenants; Wrexham in North Wales (pictured), a build-to-suit opportunity; Bredbury in Greater Manchester; Drayton Manor business park (pictured) in the Midlands; Hay Hall in Birmingham; and Gateway 100 in Merseyside.

High Standards

ESG and sustainability is a big issue in property development, with EV charging and BREEAM certification standards necessities. “We consider what specifications will be like in a few years,” Armstrong adds, “so we can estimate customer expectations in advance.” Design is not done in-house. “We use architects and consultants, as well as BREEAM engineers,” she informs. “We have a standard now but each unit has its quirks. We also undertake refurbishments.”

I asked Armstrong what the market is like at the moment, in terms of supply of and demand for space. “Demand is good,” she states, “Botany Bay is flying, the location of some sites is trickier. Where our land stock is older we purely plan, develop, lease and keep hold of it (rather than sell). Multi-let estates are doing well in North West England.”

Build to suit

FIREM self-delivers sites, offering bespoke solutions. “Existing sites are built-to-suit, but still need planning consent, especially around green belt areas. There’s been a slow down in speculative development and we’re mainly doing pre-lets. We’re targeting fulfilment, retail, start-ups and B8 logistics (storage and distribution) customers,” Armstrong concludes.

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Planning Consent for Logistics Development

Posted on by David Priestman

Indurent, a leading developer and operator of industrial and logistics space of all sizes across the UK, has secured planning consent for a new 432,000 sq ft industrial and logistics development, which will be known as Indurent Park Lichfield.

The park will comprise eight mid-box units ranging from 36,000 sq ft to 83,000 sq ft, reflecting high demand for mid-sized warehousing from local and national businesses, as well as leading global occupiers across a range of industry sectors including manufacturing, ecommerce and distribution. Construction of the speculatively developed facility is expected to commence in 2025, with the first phase of completion due in 2026.

Each unit will be delivered to the highest design and environmental standards, achieving a minimum BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating for sustainability and EPC ‘A’ accreditation for energy efficiency. The units will all benefit from the installation of solar PV, which is expected to offset on-site energy demand by c.75%, with all office space powered by renewable energy. The development is also forecast to deliver a 13% biodiversity net gain through the planting of new woodland and grassland on-site.

Indurent has consulted local stakeholders extensively on the plans for the park, creating a new location-specific design code which ensures the development respects local heritage. Indurent Park Lichfield is expected to create 250 jobs during the construction process. Once complete, the park is expected to support an additional c. 820 full-time jobs across a range of positions, with each unit complementing high-quality warehousing with grade A office space to house administrative and executive functions, alongside traditional warehousing roles.

Mid-box warehousing

Jessica Evans, Senior Planning Manager at Indurent, commented: “The approval of Indurent Park Lichfield will help to address the region’s acute undersupply of modern mid-box warehousing and deliver significant social and economic value for the region. Having engaged extensively with the local community throughout the planning process, the approval builds on Indurent’s successful track record of development in Staffordshire, where we provide over three million sq ft of high-quality space and support the success of customers of all sizes seeking to benefit from the Midlands’ national connectivity and large, skilled workforce.”

Indurent Park Lichfield is located adjacent to the Swinfen Interchange roundabout, which provides access to the nearby M6 motorway and enables customers to access a broad catchment across Staffordshire and the wider Midlands. Birmingham city centre is accessible by car in under 30 minutes, with Derby and Coventry each within a 40-minute drive of the park.

Indurent launched in July 2024 following the integration of Industrials REIT and St. Modwen Logistics, two of the UK industrial and logistics sector’s leading developers and operators. Indurent owns and operates 27 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space across the UK, ranging from multi-let industrial space through to big-box warehousing, and supports more than 2,000 businesses across all industry sectors. In Staffordshire, its assets include Indurent Park Stoke Central, which counts Overclockers UK and National Veterinary Services among its occupiers, and Indurent Park Burton where the final phase of development is near to completion on the 1m sq ft park.

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New National Distribution Centre for Greggs

Posted on by David Priestman

Plans for a new National Distribution Centre for Greggs plc at Symmetry Park, Kettering have been announced by Greggs and Tritax Symmetry.

The planning application details proposals for 311,551 sq. ft. of logistics space on a 25.1-acre plot. The unit will be designed to a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, achieving an EPC A rating and meeting Net Zero Carbon in Construction requirements.

The initiative is part of Greggs’ strategic growth plan, announced in 2021, which set out ambitious expansion targets requiring investment in significant supply chain capacity. Greggs currently has 2,500 shops and its longer-term growth plans target an estate of significantly more than 3,000 shops in the UK. This investment will bolster its capacity to directly supply ambient and chilled products to a growing portfolio of shops.

Tritax Symmetry is also seeking planning permission for an additional 100,000 sq. ft. to enable Greggs to expand the site further. The centre will be a key part of Symmetry Park, Kettering, Northamptonshire, which extends to 136 acres in total and benefits from outline planning permission for 2,310,000 sq. ft. of logistics floor space overall.

Subject to planning, Greggs expects its National Distribution Centre on Symmetry Park, Kettering, to be operational in the first half of 2027. Located at Junction 9 of the A14, with a 21-minute drive time to the M1/M6 interchange, the park is currently home to Iron Mountain, a US-based data centre storage provider, which has occupied a 313,000 sq. ft. unit on a 15-year lease since 2023.

Agents BNP, Cushman and Wakefield, and DTRE acted for Tritax Symmetry, with Wright Silverwood representing Greggs.

Greggs is a leading UK food-on-the-go retailer with over 2,500 shops nationwide and more than 32,000 employees across the business. Greggs owns and operates its own supply chain including manufacturing and logistics, which means it can ensure that high standards are met at every stage of the journey – from manufacturing sites, logistics, right through to its shops.

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New Fulfilment Centre Opened by CIRRO

Posted on by Keith McKinley

CIRRO Fulfillment officially announces the opening of its 21st fulfilment centre, Ergo Fradley 354, which is now operational in the well-established Fradley Park, Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK. The new facility spans 33,000 square meters.

Ergo Fradley 354 is a joint venture between NFU Mutual and Ergo Real Estate, it is a top-tier facility built to the highest standards, achieving EPC A, BREEAM Excellent and Planet Mark Certification, to allow for sustainable, reliable, and efficient operations. The facility is equipped with 50-meter secure yards, controlled access, and advanced surveillance systems to store the products more safely. With a 15-meter height, 50 KN/m² floor loading capacity, and 36 dock levelers, the facility offers spacious storage, accommodates heavy products and ensures fast product circulation.

The strategic location enables CIRRO Fulfillment to serve a densely populated region of over one million people within a 30-minute drive of Lichfield, Burton, and Birmingham. Situated on the A38, it offers excellent accessibility, quickly reaching the northern areas of Lichfield and the Midlands via the M6. Moreover, the M1 provides convenient access to the rest of the UK, including London in the south and Leeds in the north.

With this addition, CIRRO Fulfillment now operates 15 centres across the UK, totaling over 200,000 square meters of fulfilment space. On a broader scale, the inclusion of the new fulfilment centre expands the company’s footprint across 14 European countries, bringing the total storage capacity to over 500,000 square meters. This extensive network supports companies in scaling their e-commerce operations efficiently.

“We are excited to unveil the launch of our new fulfilment centre in the UK,” said Charles Lu, Head of Business Development at CIRRO Fulfillment Europe. “This expansion enhances our warehousing capacities, alleviates regional storage capacity pressures, and better serves the growing demands of the e-commerce market.”

E-merchants seeking dependable and affordable fulfilment solutions, primarily for the UK and European markets, are encouraged to contact CIRRO Fulfillment to discuss their requirements.

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Aviation Service Company gets new HQ at Logistics Park

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global aviation service provider AerFin has announced that it has signed a 10-year lease agreement with St. Modwen Logistics, one of the UK’s leading logistics developers and managers, for a new 115,000 sq ft facility at St. Modwen Park Newport, which will act as the company’s global headquarters from the end of 2024.

The facility offers custom-built space for enhanced aviation aftermarket services activities, including engine disassembly and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations, as well as traditional warehousing and logistics. The agreement doubles AerFin’s engine MRO (maintenance, repair, overhaul) capacity to around 200 quick-turn shop visits per year and expands its UK storage capacity by a third.

Additionally, the c.5,600 sq ft of high-specification office space offers a modern, comfortable environment in which to drive the continued growth of AerFin’s global commercial operations with a superior employee experience that also delivers net zero carbon operations via reduced energy usage.

Earlier this year, Blackstone announced that from July 2024, St. Modwen Logistics’ portfolio of assets will become part of Indurent, a new pure play UK logistics champion. The business will have more than 200 assets totalling 26 million sq ft of logistics space.

Simon Bayliss, Chief Operating Officer at AerFin, commented: “We are pleased to commit to our new, global headquarters, marking a significant milestone in AerFin’s growth story. This move will significantly enhance our operational capacity and position us well for continued expansion. We are collaborating with our selected contractors to ensure the space is fully functional by year-end to allow us to take advantage of the new facility’s unparalleled, advanced features”.

Peter Davies, Senior Development Director at St Modwen Logistics, added: “The growth story of Aerfin from local consultancy to global player in the aviation world is impressive, and we are proud they have chosen St. Modwen Park Newport to base their new global headquarters. AerFin’s arrival is yet another feather in the cap for the park and its growing reputation as an attractive home for big business, with Grade A office space as standard, plus space for both production and distribution operations under one roof.”

Built in line with St. Modwen Logistics’ ‘Swan Standard’ – a holistic set of sustainable development guidelines – AerFin’s new headquarters has been rated as ‘Excellent’ by BREEAM, the certification body for sustainable construction, and comes complete with an EPC A+ rating to demonstrate the building’s energy efficiency.

St. Modwen Logistics Park, Newport

As well as offering 15% roof lights, reducing the need for artificial lighting throughout the day and creating a naturally bright environment for employees, the building also comes complete with 985 sq m of rooftop solar PV as standard, which could lead to savings of up to £59,000 a year.

St. Modwen Park Newport is encouraging a diverse range of fast-growing manufacturing and distribution businesses to the region, providing flexible opportunities to the occupier market within the industrial and logistics sectors and beyond.

The 100-acre business park is strategically located at the gateway to South Wales, around 18 miles from Cardiff and 25 miles from Bristol. Junction 23a of the M4 motorway is within 4 miles via the A4810/Queen’s Way. The estate and surrounding area benefits from the de-tolling of the Severn Bridge, further enhancing its location and access to the South West and Wales.

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