LEIPZIG, Germany, Feb. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Goodman Group today announced that it has signed a deal with DB Schenker Logistics for a 63.000 sqm pre-committed warehouse development in Leipzig, Germany. Schenker Deutschland AG will provide logistics services for BMW at the new facility and is expected to create up to 600 new jobs when it is fully operational. This latest transaction underlines Goodman's position as the market leader for logistics real estate development in Germany.
The facility will be purpose-built for automotive logistics and have a total lettable area of approximately 81.000 sqm. This will be comprised of a 52.000 sqm warehouse and 2.000 sqm of office space. It will be fitted with 8.600 sqm of covered side-loading areas and 18.000 sqm of outside storage area. The development will also be equipped with 35 loading docks, with space available to increase capacity by an additional 15 docks.
Handover will take place over a phased period between July and November 2011. Upon completion the project will represent an investment value of over euro 33 million.
On behalf of DB Schenker: "This is the third logistics centre that Goodman has developed for DB Schenker in Germany. The relationship also extends to Goodman's development of DB Schenker state-of-the-art facilities in Belgium, Spain and in the Czech Republic."
Goodman has acquired a 272.000 sqm site on the opposite side of the A14 motorway to the existing BMW production facility in Leipzig, which is adjacent to the new Leipzig trade fair centre. Of the total site, 138.000 sqm is to be developed into the new warehouse facility for Schenker, and additional land will also be set aside to facilitate future expansion by Schenker/ BMW. The new development further demonstrates Goodman's ability to deliver tailor made, flexible solutions for its customers in strategic locations.
The new Leipzig development will be located in the Saxon Triangle, a metropolitan region in Germany consisting of the cities of Cheminitz; Dresden; Halle; Leipzig and Zwickau. It is approximately 120 kilometres south of Berlin and 140 kilometres north of Prague. The remaining land on the site will be available to meet the future development requirements of Goodman's other customers.
"We are delighted to be working again with Goodman. This latest project for DB Schenker follows Goodman's development of a 70.000 sqm warehouse in Leipzig for Amazon in 2006. Leipzig is an established industrial and logistics hotspot in Germany due to the presence of two large automotive plants, excellent transport infrastructure links and availability of highly skilled labour. It is therefore no surprise that all major logistics service providers have a significant presence in the area," said Mr. Uwe Albrecht, Deputy Mayor for Economic Development and Employment, City of Leipzig.
"This is the third development project in Germany announced by Goodman in the last six months for a total combined 145.000 sqm of newly secured developments. Our ability to deliver flexible tailor-made solutions, combined with our strong financial position makes us the market leader in Germany for new logistics developments," said Andreas Fleischer, Country Manager for Goodman in Germany.
About DB Schenker
DB Schenker is one of the leading globally integrated logistics service providers and comprises of Deutsche Bahn's transportation and logistics operations. DB Schenker Logistics offers land transport, air and ocean freight, as well as comprehensive logistics solutions and global supply chain management from a single source.
About Leipzig
Leipzig is at the core of the central German economic zone. Some of the advantages attracting investment include its market potential, the proximity of important customers, the presence of local suppliers, flexible human resources, the city's research expertise in strategic fields, its logistics infrastructure, and its geographical position at the heart of Europe.
Nowadays, in the early 21st century, far-sightedly improved roads, railways and air routes are tapping the enormous potential Leipzig is able to mobilise within the expanded European Union. Efficient transport links and the seamless, compact networking of individual modes of transport are one of the key factors in the further successful economic development of the entire region.
Thanks in particular to the 24/7 freight service at Leipzig/Halle Airport, the qualified, highly motivated labour pool, the land available for new logistic ventures, the excellent research infrastructure and the close cooperation between higher education and industry, first-class logistics and value-added services have taken root in and around Leipzig for car-makers, the mechanical engineering industry and microelectronics.
For more information please contact: City of Leipzig, Economic Development Office, Dr. Michael Schimansky, Head of Office (michael.schimansky@leipzig.de)
About Goodman
Goodman is an integrated property group that owns, develops and manages logistics and business space across Continental Europe, the United Kingdom and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group invests in business parks, office parks, industrial estates and warehouse and distribution centres.
Goodman also offers a range of listed and unlisted property funds, giving investors access to a range of specialist services and property assets, and is working continually to build value in industrial property and fund management, with innovative new developments, and business and investment offerings.
With total assets under management of euro 11.4 billion and over 325 properties under management, Goodman is the largest industrial listed property group on the Australian Stock Exchange, and one of the largest listed specialist fund managers globally. Its market insight and dedicated local teams create sound investment opportunities and develop properties and environments that meet each client's individual requirements.
With more than 750 staff and 32 offices in 16 countries, Goodman has the global reach to meet customers' needs as their businesses expand or evolve. In Europe, Goodman has offices in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the UK.
For more information please visit: www.goodman.com
For further information, please contact Goodman:
Majella O Doherty
Communications Manager, Continental Europe
+32-2-263-4068
Majella.ODoherty@goodman.com
