Goodman, the global integrated property group that owns, develops and manages logistics space, is constructing a 24,000 m² export hub for Volkswagen in the Duisburg-Kasslerfeld port and logistics area of Duisport. From the trimodal location, the automotive manufacturer will operate its Completely Knocked Down (CKD) business for non-European countries.
The new development in Duisport is being undertaken through the conversion of a 50,000 m² brownfield site. Goodman will regenerate the site and develop it into a new export hub for Volkswagen. The CKD business will occupy and supply automotive components to all of its non-European plants. The handover of the completed facility is planned for the first quarter of 2014.
“Following the successful development of a 45,000 m² facility in Hanover, Goodman’s German team will now undertake another significant project for Volkswagen,” said Philippe Van der Beken, Managing Director, Goodman Continental Europe.
“Duisport is a further example of how Goodman is generating opportunities by actively identifying and converting a former industrial site to deliver new logistics space at an internationally significant logistics site. It follows our recent announcement of a 33,000 m² logistics center being developed for Daimler on a disused industrial site in Bremen,” he added.
Construction of the new export hub commenced in July and has been designed to meet the specific requirements of the automotive industry. The facility will consist of a 20,000 m² storage area, with over 3,000 m² for loading and unloading trucks and a 1,000 m² loading bay.
Duisport is a multimodal logistics hub, situated on the river Rhine and is Europe’s largest inland port. Volkswagen benefits from Duisport’s connection to the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, in addition to its convenient rail and motorway access.
Goodman is developing the property in accordance with the latest environmental and sustainability standards. These include light bands in the façade and light domes in the roof, which guarantee a high level of daylight and good working conditions. Furthermore, an automatic light control system reduces the energy costs for lighting. Goodman will seek silver certification of the property from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB).
The new development at the Duisport site is one of a number of automotive projects that Goodman currently has under construction, in Germany. The Group is developing 14,300 m² for the automotive logistician Schnellecke in Leipzig as well as the aforementioned 33,000 m² distribution center for Daimler in Bremen. Both properties will be delivered in the autumn of 2013.
Source: Goodman
