4 May 2011
Prologis has started construction work at a new 457,546 sq ft (42,506 sq m) purpose built warehouse for BMW Group (UK) Ltd at Prologis Park Pineham in Northampton. Tim Abbott, Managing Director of BMW Group (UK) Ltd, Andrew Griffiths, MD of Prologis UK and Roger Mendonca, Chief Operating Officer of the West Northamptonshire Development Corporation (WNDC) were present onsite for a ground breaking ceremony on 21 April 2011.
BMW Group’s multi million pound new UK facility will serve as the group’s regional distribution centre delivering parts to BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW motorcycle dealers throughout the UK and Ireland. The building will be constructed to achieve an EPC “A” rating and BREEAM “Excellent” accreditation. Furthermore, Prologis will measure and reduce the carbon embodied in the structure and fabric of the building and then mitigate 110 % of unavoidable carbon emissions by investing in a verified avoided deforestation project.
Andrew Griffiths, MD of Prologis UK said: "This is an important day for Prologis since it not only reinforces our commitment to Northamptonshire; it also marks the start of our relationship with the BMW Group in the UK. Prologis has built two facilities for the Group in the US – in Pennsylvania and Chicago – but this is the first in this country. I hope that this will mark the start of a long and happy working relationship.
"This new 460,000 sq ft facility will bring the total of occupied employment space build by Prologis in Northamptonshire up to nearly seven million square feet. This figure not only highlights the county’s importance as a distribution hub, it also represents 7,000 to 8,000 local jobs."
Tim Abbott, Managing Director BMW Group (UK) Ltd, said: "Today marks an important milestone in our new warehouse project. This new facility represents a multi-million pound investment for BMW Group UK that is designed to further develop our industry-leading parts logistics operations."
Roger Mendonca, WNDC’s Chief Operating Officer said: "We’re delighted that a world class business like BMW has chosen to invest and locate in Northampton. This development is excellent news for the town, which is building a strong reputation as a great place to do business."
