The logistics sector is evolving towards efficiency and effectiveness, to this end, it is betting on a type of logistics warehouses that may be called “mega-warehouses”, because of their significant extension, but they are also characterized by their ability to supply more regions, the creation of large economies of scale and –what is of vital importance in the present- the reduction of costs.
This creation of large logistics infrastructures is being carried out both on a national and international level, and we can observe examples in Spain of companies such as IKEA, with three platforms occupying 315,000 m2 in Valls; El Corte Inglés, with over 500,000 m2 and 42,000 m2 in the completion stage in La Bisbal del Penedès; Mercadona, with over 750,000 m2 distributed at various points throughout Spain, among them the 90,000 m2 in Ciempozuelos and the 70,000 m2 in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia stand out; 40,000 m2 of Carrefour and another in Guadalajara (Quer) of 64,000 m2.
In the rest of Europe one of the companies with the greatest growth is Amazon, which only in Werne (Germany) has an area of 600,000 m2, in addition to 100,000 m2 in Lille (France) and 25,000 m2 contracted in San Fernando de Henares (Spain).
Increase of the demand of the contraction of logistics warehouses of large size
Due to the current economic characteristics, we are watching a growing demand for large-area logistics warehouses, that don’t have the height demanded nowadays because of the consequences of the cessation of the speculative development that has left a trail of low quality logistics warehouses, since the logistics warehouses with better facilities have been the first to be occupied and, therefore, to run out.
This trend goes hand in hand with the increase of mergers and acquisitions between companies that, to be able to supply their distribution network, need logistics warehouses of large areas and high efficiency, which may serve as national distribution centers in order to centralize their activities.
The commitment to the mega-warehouses is being mainly supported by the consumer goods sector, since they require large logistics warehouses near to major cities that are able to provide good services.
This is the case of Tesco supermarkets’s company, who has recently opened a 78,000 m2 logistics warehouse in Daventry, Northamptonshire, and another 84,000 m2 logistics platform in Whitley, South Reading.
In logistics warehouses the size can be decisive
Logistics warehouses of large dimensionsoften have advantages that stand them out from the rest, such as their presence closed to big cities, which also provides them of good transport connections. In addition, being located at the peripheries, the price of land is cheaper.
These mega-warehouses are equipped with new technologies, being highly automated and optimizing both work and space. They also have good environmental credentials, which are extremely important, enabling recycling, ventilation, low energy consumption and natural lighting, which also contribute to achieve greater economic savings.
Source: Cadena de Suministro