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Tag: Distribution Centre

Mercadona Realizes 7th Frozen DC with WITRON

Posted on by David Priestman

Mercadona is the leading Spanish food retailer, supplying its customers in Spain and Portugal with goods through both stores and online retailing. Now, Mercadona and WITRON are continuing their long-standing successful cooperation. At the end of December 2022, the contract was signed for the design and implementation of a new frozen food logistics centre in Parc Sagunt (Valencia, Spain). Productive use is planned for 2025.

In the future, the highly automated facility will supply almost 200 Mercadona stores from a range of more than 650 frozen items. With WITRON’s OPM and PSSM solutions, the distribution centre will be able to pick up to 58,000 cases on a peak day fully automatically and store-friendly onto pallets within an ambient temperature of -23°C – the majority of which is picked by six COM machines.

A four-aisle automated pallet high bay warehouse with 5,980 pallet locations and a 12-aisle tray AS/RS with 63,000 locations are located in front of the OPM area. The mechanical, conveyor system, and material flow components used are developed and produced by WITRON. The same applies to the end-to-end IT platform.

Employee Benefits

“Through the use of innovative and sustainable logistics technology, Mercadona employees in the logistics centres benefit from leading-edge, ergonomic workstations and processes,” explains Alberto García Pardo, Key Account Manager at WITRON. “When the first stores are supplied from Parc Sagunt, it will be just over 20 years since the first WITRON facility in the Mercadona logistics network began operations.”

Sustainable Benefits

“Mercadona and the logistics lifetime partner WITRON have been maintaining a trustworthy and successful partnership for almost two decades. It goes far beyond a usual customer-supplier relationship,” emphasises Rosa Aguado, General Director Logistics at Mercadona.

“At the locations in Ciempozuelos, Ribarroja, Villadangos, Abrera, Vitoria, Guadix – and in the future also in Parc Sagunt – WITRON has already designed and implemented 14 highly automated projects, from which we currently supply 1,662 stores with goods from the dry, fresh, and frozen range.”

Aguado concludes: “With 191 COM machines installed, we are one of WITRON’s largest customers worldwide to work with the OPM solution. In addition to high cost-efficiency, the solution convinces with a variety of sustainable benefits – for our stores, our customers, our employees, and for the environment.”

New Distribution Centre has Latest Automation

Posted on by David Priestman

Ground was recently broken for a new distribution centre where Dematic is set to supply the latest warehouse automation technology to parent company KION Group at its site in Kahl am Main near Aschaffenburg, Germany.

When completed in roughly two years, brands within KION Group will use the facility for delivering spare parts across Europe. The goal is to ensure more efficient customer deliveries. Dematic is scheduled to install a highly dynamic Dematic Multishuttle® with 110,000 storage locations and 150 shuttles to handle automatic storage and retrieval. In addition, US-headquartered company is building a 6-aisle, scalable high-bay warehouse with a silo design and almost 24,000 pallet spaces. Fellow KION Group brand, Linde Material Handling, will supply several autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

“This new, highly automated spare parts warehouse is a flagship project for both Dematic and the entire KION Group and a prime example of our combined strengths in terms of our own technologies within KION,” explains Andrea Campora, Senior Vice President at Dematic EMEA, adding, “Dematic and Linde plan to share the site when it is ready. It will result in a closer integration with employees from different areas benefiting from each other’s expertise.” While Dematic is a specialist in the Supply Chain Solutions (SCS) segment at KION, Linde has expertise in the Industrial Trucks & Services (ITS) segment.

In addition to more efficient processes, the new spare parts warehouse offers other benefits. “The logistics centre allows us to expand our production capacities, makes us less dependent on external supply chains, and lays the foundation for growing our business in German-speaking regions and beyond,” says Campora.

The new facility is also anticipated to create a near 100% spare parts availability. Dematic is expecting higher customer satisfaction through faster deliveries. Thanks to the environmentally friendly construction and a photovoltaic system, the CO2 savings also help to make the site as climate neutral as possible.

The new warehouse’s multishuttle is capable of handling different container type sizes to automatically store and retrieve goods. Items that are too large for totes and that cannot be stored in the multishuttle are packed onto pallets and stored in one of the six high-bay warehouse aisles. A special feature of the facility is that the multishuttle will be installed on a steel structure approximately five meters high. Picking workstations, packing stations, and other operational areas will be located under this massive platform. Smooth and automated material flow will be ensured by electric floor conveyors and modular conveyor systems from Dematic along with AMRs from Linde MH.

“The increased level of service allows the system to process orders that arrive by 4 pm on the same day,” Campora explains, adding, “These orders can then be in transit or already on-site the following day.”

The project once again underlines the close cooperation and comprehensive solution expertise under the umbrella of the KION Group. The ground-breaking ceremony took place at the end of February, and completion and joint move-in are projected for early 2025.

“Completion of this project is a milestone naturally internally for KION’s strategic goals, but the positive impact of this new facility will be felt by all of our customers and that is the way it should be – for the benefit of our customers,” sums up Campora.

Dematic designs, builds, and supports intelligent automated solutions empowering and sustaining the future of commerce for its customers in manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. With research and development engineering centres, manufacturing facilities, and service centres located in more than 35 countries, the Dematic global network of over 11,000 employees has helped achieve approximately 8,000 worldwide customer installations for some of the world’s leading brands. Headquartered in Atlanta, Dematic is a member of KION Group, one of the world’s leading suppliers of industrial trucks and supply chain solutions.

Logistics Terminal Opened in Tyrol

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Gebrüder Weiss has opened a logistics terminal in the Kreckelmoos industrial estate in Reutte. The location is specifically designed to meet the requirements of locally-based businesses in Tyrol, Austria. This will make the trips for the collection and delivery of import and export goods shorter and more flexible. They reach Reutte directly, are cross-decked and stored there, and delivered via short routes, including as express shipments.

Customs clearance as well as air and sea freight services complete the on-site portfolio. The logistics company has invested around €8m in the new building, which was completed in less than a year. The location complements the existing Gebrüder Weiss branches in Innsbruck, Wörgl and Hall in Tyrol as well as the Bavarian ones in Memmingen, Waldkraiburg, Passau and Nuremberg.

Günter Schmarl, Branch Manager Tyrol at Gebrüder Weiss, explains what positive effects this has: “We reduce trips over the busy Fernpass road between Tyrol and Bavaria and provide relief for regional traffic because we bundle storage capacities scattered across the district close to the shippers and recipients of goods. Not only is this more efficient for everyone involved, it is also in keeping with the sustainability and climate strategy of the state of Tyrol, which aims to have regional distribution centres for the collection and delivery of goods.”

Thirty employees are to be employed in Reutte in the mid-term, and there are also plans to train apprentices here. The terminal obtains most of its energy requirements from a 600 sq m photovoltaic system installed on the roof of the hall. This system saves eleven tonnes of CO2 per year and generates clean electricity for a heat pump that is used to control the ambient climate of the logistics centre. Gebrüder Weiss aims to operate all of its logistics facilities around the world in a climate-neutral way by 2030, with the company increasingly relying on electricity from renewable sources to this end.

  • Gebrüder Weiss Reutte at a glance

  • Investments: €8 million
  • Total plot area: 11,800 sq m
  • Logistics warehouse: 2,160 sq m
  • Cross-docking area: 400 sq m
  • Picking area: 400 sq m
  • Office building: 600 sq m
  • Number of charging options for e-vans (3.5 tons): 4
  • Heat generation: Heat pump
  • Photovoltaic system – collector surface area: 600 sq m
  • Photovoltaic system – kilowatt hours of electricity per year: 140 kWp
  • Photovoltaic system – CO2 saved per year: 11 tonnes

Belgium Warehouse Expansion in 3 Locations

Posted on by David Priestman

Bleckmann, supply chain management experts for fashion and lifestyle brands, is expanding with 60.000 m2 of warehouse space, at three strategic locations in Belgium. The distribution centres in Belsele, Herentals and Grobbendonk support the growth of customers, who also benefit from Bleckmann’s growth opportunities and additional logistics flexibility.

Belgium is both historically and geographically crucial for Bleckmann. In this growth, Bleckmann is also committed to reducing its ecological footprint. The company is currently expanding in three different locations in Belgium. West of Antwerp in Belsele (Sint-Niklaas), a new fulfilment centre is being set up. East of Antwerp, in Herentals, a new distribution centre was set up specifically for a new customer. Just ten kilometres from there, in Grobbendonk, the largest Bleckmann warehouse in Belgium is also being further expanded.

In Belsele, Bleckmann opens a completely new distribution centre at a strategic location. By making optimal use of the available surface area and by placing mezzanines, the total operational capacity will be increased to 31.000 m2. Via the E17 motorway, the distribution centre has a good connection to the Port of Antwerp and the European hinterland.

Uniquely, the fulfilment centre is entirely focused on rapidly operationalising and serving new customers. “Here, we create the capacity to anticipate customer requests quickly and flexibly. Through our multi-client approach, each new brand immediately benefits fully from the group’s expertise and solutions,” says Mark Van Onna, General Manager Real Estate at Bleckmann.

Herentals: fast fulfilment solution

The site in Herentals is an example of how quickly Bleckmann responds to a customer’s demand. For one of our new customers, we opened this fulfilment centre of 8.500 m2 operational area, fully dedicated to this customer. In a smooth way and in a very short timeframe, Bleckmann took over the e-commerce fulfilment of another service provider to meet the customer’s needs

Reinardt van Oel, Chief Operations Officer Belgium & UK at Bleckmann: “Our customers hire us to relieve them of all their logistics worries. We therefore put everything in place to set up the complete solution even in a very short period of time: our knowledge of setup, our systems and technology. Our customers ask. We solve it.”

Grobbendonk: largest campus in Belgium under one roof

The strategic site in Grobbendonk, located directly on the Albert Canal connected to the Port of Antwerp, is further expanded to a total operating area of 120.000m2. To the already existing 100.000 m2, Bleckmann has added an additional unit and equipped the existing ground area with mezzanines. This will make Grobbendonk one of the largest campuses under one roof within Bleckmann.

This site is also at the forefront of innovation, with forward-looking developments. Mark van Onna: “Grobbendonk is a technological pioneer within our group. There, we test logistics possibilities with robots and implement innovations in daily fulfilment. We then roll out successful projects to the other customers and sites.”

Sustainable investments in warehouses

Investments are made in each project to improve the sustainability of the sites. Through its CSR strategy, it aims to be part of the solution, rather than a co-creator of the problem. Among other things, lighting has been looked at, for example, where possible, LED lighting will be installed and combined with motion sensors to further reduce energy consumption.

“Crucially, we make optimal use of the scarce land. We do this through mezzanines and the most optimal rack structures. As a result, we expand our floor space in the existing buildings far more than the land area we occupy,” adds Reinardt van Oel. Bleckmann continues to expand further. The current nearly 300.000 m2 of operational area in Belgium will soon be complemented by operational area of Crosswoods – a brand new distribution centre in Kruisem

Rejuvenation of Lodz Logistics Hubs

Posted on by David Priestman

Excellent communications, together with the availability of attractive investment areas, make Lodz a key strategic location for logistics operators, production companies, retail chains and e-commerce companies interested in regional, national and international distribution.

Central Poland is the key regional market for warehouse and production space. For the last 10 years most of the warehouse/production was developed north of Lodz, which has led to labour shortages and congested transport links. Interestingly the new upgraded A1/S8 junction south of Lodz has led to a shift in how products now flow across Poland. Many logistic companies are informing customers it is easier to distribute nationally from Lodz South rather than Lodz North. This will be further improved with the completion of the Eastern Lodz ring road in 2023.

MDC2 chose Głuchów, located 19 km south from the Łódź border because of its excellent investment conditions. The location provides the tenants with the possibility of efficient distribution throughout the country and Europe. The properties are being developed in cooperation with Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited (Fortress), a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) operating in the REIT model, which owns, manages, and develops commercial property space.

MDC2 Park Łódź South is a distribution and logistics project with a total area of over 80,000 m 2. The facility is located at the junction of the A1 motorway and the national road No. 12 (which connects wholesale centers in Tuszyn and Głuchów). The planned delivery of the buildings will take place in the first half of 2024. From the very beginning of the construction process, the developer provides market-leading environmentally friendly solutions. The facility will be certified in the BREEAM New Construction Excellent as a minimum Both the A1 and A2 motorways and the S8 expressway run through Lodz with further improvements to the south with the planned S14 road, which will improve connections to the A2 motorway (junction Emilia) & S8 expressway (Róża interchange).

By implementing sustainable solutions, MDC 2 minimizes the carbon footprint which is a particularly important issue in the company’s operating strategy. Key building parameters include: 12 meter clear height, LED lighting, PV ready roofs, electric vehicle chargers, rainwater recycling, cycle sheds and parking. MDC2 also takes care of the biodiversity of the area, creating a local environmental ecosystem, including green walls which will be installed on the buildings’ facades, with local vegetation planting, emphasizing the ecological nature of the facility.

There will also be a Rest&Move zone – intended for employees and visitors including truck drivers, whose well-being is also of great importance to MDC 2. The project will create new workplaces for qualified staff living in the close area. In the Łódź East county, 43,373 potential employees are available within a 15-minute drive, while a radius of 60 minutes by car provides access to 895,759 potential employees.

The Łódź Special Economic Zone is the fourth special economic zone in the category “Top 10 Zones Globally” and the only one from Poland in this ranking (fDi Magazine ranking, Financial Times group). Łódź has the third largest population in the country (inhabitants 664,071) providing access to qualified staff. The wider population of the wider Łódź Voivodeship is 2.4 million people.

– Central Poland has always been the center for warehouse/production development, but increasingly occupiers want to be South of Lodz due to the improved road infrastructure and better availability of work force.
– MDC² Park Łódź South is under development, financed by Fortress Real Estate Investments Limited (Fortress)

– MDC² is leading the change in green warehouse development in Poland by building some of the most sustainable warehouses available in the market. All their buildings are certified BREEAM New Construction Excellent (at a minimum) and aim to build carbon neutral buildings from 2025.

Completion of M25 London Logistics Facility

Posted on by David Priestman

Goodman has completed its latest high-specification sustainable London logistics space facility at Purfleet Commercial Park in Essex.

Situated in a prime position at the heart of the M25 and A13 corridors, Purfleet 343 provides easy access to London and the South East, with excellent freight links and proximity to three international ports. Ideally suited for same day delivery, the high-quality facility is located just 16 miles from Central London, placing customers in easy reach of 21 million consumers within a two-hour HGV drivetime.*

Purfleet 343 is the largest warehouse available for occupation within the M25 and with an 18m clear internal height, offers customers the ability to maximise storage capacity, increase productivity and provide for future growth. Its ‘chill store’ ready building envelope also makes it suitable for both chilled and ambient storage, benefitting customers from a wide range of industries including the logistics, FMCG and food production sectors.

In line with Goodman’s focus on sustainability, the high-specification unit is built to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification and boasts an A+ (-3) Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), generating more energy than the base building consumes. Other features include a 995kWp solar PV system to service customers’ operational needs, infrastructure for electric vehicle fleets, rainwater harvesting and smart metering – all helping to achieve energy and cost savings as well as support customers’ sustainability goals.

Customers will benefit from access to a large local talent pool, with more than 35,000 people working in logistics**, while also joining the likes of Tesco, Unilever, DHL, Ocado and Amazon in operating nearby.

George Glennie, Development Director at Goodman, said: “Having sustainable warehouses located close to consumers is key to optimising supply chain efficiency. Purfleet 343’s benefits go beyond its prime location. By investing in sustainable technology and offering additional features such as 4MVA, this facility is highly adaptable to suit a customer’s specific business needs and is future-ready for evolving innovation.”

Purfleet 343’s sustainability features extend beyond the building itself to help support the health and wellbeing of the people working there. Set within a landscaped environment, there are outdoor seating areas, a running track, and footpaths and cycleways connected with the local area.

Goodman’s latest facility forms part of its focus on London and the South East, with the ability to deliver up to 2.5 million sq ft of industrial and logistics space in the region. Other recent investments include Crossways Commercial Park in Dartford and London Brentwood Commercial Park in East Horndon.

Large Tyre Warehouse Opens in Poland

Posted on by David Priestman

Bridgestone, a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions, present in Poznań since 1998, and ESA logistika have opened a 50,000 sq.m tyre warehouse where tyres will be shipped for further distribution.

What particularly distinguishes the complete warehousing processes that are implemented for Bridgestone is several sustainable solutions that allow obtaining BREEAM Excellent certification. One of them is a 50kWp photovoltaic installation and modern technologies in energy and water saving and reducing CO2 emissions. In the interests of the well-being of employees, green relaxation zones are also created around the hall.

Bridgestone is committed to achieving its major environmental goals; carbon neutrality and the use of 100% sustainable materials by 2050. – Our new project launched with ESA logistika reflects our commitment to create a supply – chain and logistics with long-term environmental benefits and aligns perfectly with the “Ecology” and “Energy” values in the Bridgestone E8 Commitment – says Elżbieta Oussar, Logistics and Supply Chain Director, Bridgestone Europe East Region. For 24 years Bridgestone systematically increased its footprint in the Wielkopolska region, where our largest factory in Europe is located. Along with increasing demand for our premium tyres and the extension of capacity in the Bridgestone Poznan plant, now comes the new warehouse that fulfills our requirements on the way for an optimized and sustainable supply chain.

The hall is also equipped with innovative systems and tools that automates and facilitates work. These includes a warehouse management system created by ESA logistika experts, belt conveyors for unloading and loading individual tyres and stacking them on racks, and at a later stage also robots for transporting tyres and racks for their storage. – Innovation is something that we use at ESA logistika every day. This time we are very lucky that the Bridgestone company is open to all new products and will allow us to act extensively in this area. We plan to automate even such a prosaic matter as keeping the floor clean – says Rafał Łuczak IT and Implementation Manager at ESA logistika.

Despite such a high level of automation, the launch of the warehouse near Poznań will create more jobs. In the beginning, nearly 50 people found employment there. These are mainly warehouse employees, but also logistics specialists and shift managers. – Entrusting such a large operation to ESA logistika is proof of the great trust that the client places in us. We are glad that our activities so far show that we are ready to implement new, increasingly larger projects – says Łukasz Dziewanowski Managing Director at ESA logistika.

According to Katarzyna Kujawiak, Development Director at Panattoni: Last year alone, we delivered about 200,000 sqm for the automotive industry. The valuable experience we’ve gained in recent years continues to pay off. One of the results is the state-of-the-art logistics center, where our client ESA logistika conducts operations for the global tire leader. Our competence in sustainable construction also proved important in the realization of the facility. To date, we have completed environmental certification in Poland for facilities totaling more than 6 million square meters.

The warehouse is equipped with modern security systems, especially fire protection. Developer divided the investment into two zones separated by the REI 240 wall. Thanks to the special structure of the external dockside zone, the safety of employees can be protected. Attention to detail is the hallmark of this project. The common goals shared by all involved from the outset allow us to confidently count on the full success of this cooperation.

About ESA logistika

ESA logistika is one of the leading international logistics operators, dynamically operating in the area of Central and Eastern Europe and establishing ever wider relations with partners from all over the world. It provides comprehensive, tailor-made solutions for industry in the field of transport, warehousing, distribution logistics, project logistics, outsourcing, or value-added services (VAS). It has experience in handling logistics processes both in terms of administration and implementation. It also offers consulting services.

About Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa

Bridgestone in Europe, the Middle East, India, and Africa (Bridgestone EMIA) is the regional Strategic Business Unit of Bridgestone Corporation, a global leader in tires and sustainable mobility solutions. Headquartered in Zaventem (Belgium), Bridgestone EMIA employs more than 20,000 people and conducts business in 40 countries across the region.
Bridgestone offers a diverse portfolio of premium tires, tire technologies, and advanced mobility solutions. The company’s vision is to provide social and customer value as a sustainable solutions company. The Bridgestone E8 Commitment is a broad, global corporate commitment that clearly defines the value the company is promising to deliver to society, our customers, and future generations in eight focus areas; Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension, Economy, Emotion, Ease and Empowerment. These provide a compass to guide strategic priorities, decision-making, and actions throughout every area of the business.

One-tenth of UK goods pass through Prologis portfolio

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Prologis, a global leader in logistics real estate, in partnership with independent advisory firm Oxford Economics has released an updated study on the economic impact of its global operations. The “Future Flow of Goods” report highlights how the activities taking place inside logistics buildings owned and managed by Prologis in the UK are making a major contribution to the country’s economy.

According to the report:

  • The goods produced and sold that came through a Prologis building represent 2.8% of global GDP, up from 2.5% in 2020
  • £67bn ($78bn) of throughput flows through Prologis warehouses in the UK each year, the equivalent 2.5% of UK GDP and almost 10% of all household goods
  • Warehouses owned and managed by Prologis UK house an estimated 34,183 people in direct jobs – 5% up from 2020

The study’s economic impact model found that activities carried out by customers operating across the entire Prologis UK portfolio, which includes 22 Prologis Parks in the Midlands, South East and London, make a significant contribution to the national economy, with goods flowing through the buildings equivalent to approximately 9.8% of household consumption.

Paul Weston, Regional Head at Prologis UK, said: “It is increasingly clear to all that the logistics sector is playing an important role in driving economic growth – not just here in the UK, but around the world. This study confirms the contribution the sector is making and it’s positive to see that throughput at our warehouses in the UK has an estimated economic value equivalent to 2.5% of GDP, supporting UK PLC growth.”

Prologis: employment increases

“A crucial element of generating economic value is creating sustainable jobs – key to long-term prosperity,” continues Weston. “The Oxford Economics data shows that direct employment created by businesses at our Parks has increased since 2020 – another great outcome for the UK economy.

“The study is important to Prologis, because it demonstrates that the commitment we show in supporting our customers by investing in training and skills initiatives and ensuring there are enough workers in the sector, is making a difference.”

The study is the third to be conducted by Oxford Economics – the first was published in 2017 and followed up in 2020. The 2020 study provided UK-specific data for the first time.

Oxford Economics estimates the total employment impact of Prologis’ activities, with the study revealing that logistics property is having a positive employment impact in the UK specifically. The total number of people estimated to be in direct employment at Prologis-owned warehouses in the UK is 34,183, up from 32,500 in 2020 – an increase of 5%. Globally, in 2020, Oxford Economics estimated total direct employment of 853,700 workers in Prologis-owned warehouses. This figure has risen to 1,067,975 workers in 2022 – an increase of 25%.

Prologis’ estate in the UK covers more than 26 million sq ft. Many of its buildings are purpose-built to meet customers’ needs and are leased to household names such as Tesco, Sainsburys and Royal Mail. Among its key industrial property assets is the UK’s premier rail-connected logistics park at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).

CLICK HERE to visit Prologis’ Economic Impact Report to view and download the full report.

 

Hines acquires six Dutch logistics assets

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Hines, the global real estate investment, development, and property manager, has advised its Hines European Core Fund (HECF) on the acquisition of six fully occupied logistics assets in the Randstad area in Aalsmeer, Honselersdijk and Rijnsburg in The Netherlands.

The business parks, on which the assets are located, are majority owned and managed by Royal FloraHolland (RFH), the world’s largest floricultural marketplace and a major contributor to The Netherlands’ world-renowned role within the flower industry. In 2021, the value of The Netherlands’ flower and plant import and export market reached €7.3bn, with a further €865m of flowers imported and distributed through business parks such as those operated by RFH.

The acquired buildings, spanning 92,000 sq m, are fully leased to six occupiers operating within The Netherlands’ floricultural trade market, each on a long-term lease. The properties are in the heart of the densely populated Randstad area, the economic heartland of The Netherlands, which accounts for a significant proportion of the country’s GDP and has a population of over 8.4m. The assets are clustered near the three major Dutch flower auction sites, giving occupiers excellent access to high concentrations of wholesale and retail flower vendors and purchasers.

Hines builds on investment

Andy Smith, managing director and country head – The Netherlands at Hines, commented: “The portfolio aggregation of these fully leased properties builds on our investment, development and management platform in Dutch logistics. The agricultural and floricultural logistics market is undergoing substantial consolidation, transformation and modernisation while remaining among the most resilient segments of a turbulent economy.

“We are proud to support our tenants in their continued success and we look forward to maintaining and improving the quality of these business critical assets through long term value creation via our property management initiatives.”

Simone Pozzato, managing director and HECF fund manager, added: “Our European core-fund,  HECF, completed the first phase of its aggregation of six fully occupied last-mile logistics assets in the highly sought-after Randstad area in The Netherlands, via four off-market and one direct market acquisitions, achieving a considerable portfolio size, at an attractive entry yield.

“Our ability to source and aggregate opportunities off market through our strong local teams has enabled us to decisively spot value and quickly close in prime occupier locations. To add further value on behalf of our investors, we will also seek to provide property management services and implement strategic ESG improvements aiming to reduce carbon emissions and increase efficiency.”

In 2022, Hines has completed €797m of logistics transactions across Europe, in markets including Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, The UK and The Netherlands. Hines’ European logistics AUM now stands at €3bn.

 

Packaging company expands to Yorkshire site

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Reusable packaging specialist Tosca has finalised a new 10-year lease from Onward Holdings Ltd, doubling the company’s warehousing capacity at the Yorkshire, UK site. The deal combines two 30,000 sq ft units on the Green Lane Industrial Park in Featherstone.

Tosca, a global leader in reusable plastic packaging and performance pooling solutions with a portfolio including crates, pallets, bulk containers, and more, acquired a warehouse at the location around eight years ago shortly after the facility was built. Tosca acted quickly when the unit next door became available as it coincided with the business’s expansion strategy for the region.

Onward Holdings’ continuing investment in sites in Yorkshire for commercial property development has sustained economic activity in the area. Featherstone is a sought-after supply chain location only a short distance from the major motorway infrastructure of the M62, M1 and A1M and is within easy reach of the northern container ports.

The industrial estate benefits from excellent distribution connections and is also close to the railway freight network via the nearby Wakefield Europort. According to Onward Holdings around 80% of the UK’s population is accessible in four hours, making the site ideal for bulk distribution items.

Yorkshire is “important geographic area”

Steve Raybould, Tosca’s Operations Director UK & Ireland, says: “The signing of a new and extended lease with Onward at the Featherstone site builds on our existing relationship with Onward and makes an important commitment to support our UK business for the long term, with the enlarged footprint giving us additional capacity in this important geographic area.”

Onward director, Neil Storey, added: “Tosca is a long-standing client and has been operating out of Featherstone for many years. They had first bite of the cherry when next door became available and agreed a new lease on the whole site.”

Along with logistics facilities for storage and distributing across Yorkshire, Onward Holdings also supplies value-added services, including 3PL managed warehousing, Pallet Storage, Container Emptying, Order Picking and Reworking – all controlled by its Managed Warehouse System. Suitable for both durable cargo and ambient food storage, long and short-term leases are available.

Operating high quality industrial warehousing, Onward Holdings’ sites include Castleford, Doncaster, Ackworth and Scunthorpe. The company also built Onyx Retail Park, the successful shopping and eating destination on the former Manvers colliery in South Yorkshire.

 

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