Brookfield merges Gazeley to form $3.5 billion global logistics property platform

Brookfield  has announced the creation of a new brand for its $3.5 billion (approx. €2.57 billion) global logistics property platform.
The companies, to be known as IDI Gazeley, part of Brookfield Logistics Properties, form the consolidated branding of Brookfield’s key logistics assets – Industrial Developments International (“IDI”) and Gazeley – under a single brand identity.  These are two of the world’s best-known and most successful developers of sustainable logistics warehouses and distribution parks.  All IDI and Gazeley sites globally will be rebranded IDI Gazeley as part of the initiative.
IDI, a leading owner and operator of industrial distribution facilities across North America since 1989, is the result of two acquisitions by Brookfield and its institutional partners in December 2012 and August 2013. Gazeley, the world’s longest running, specialist developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks with assets in key strategic locations in the UK, Western Europe and China, was acquired by Brookfield and its institutional partners in June 2013.
Since the acquisitions by Brookfield, both IDI and Gazeley have made significant progress and delivered notable successes in their respective markets.  Recent highlights include:
- The commencement of a new 938,000-square-foot (87,000 m²) national distribution center leased to a major U.K. supermarket retailer at Gazeley’s flagship U.K. development site, Magna Park Milton Keynes.
- The construction of a 670,680-square-foot (62,308 m²) e-commerce build-to-suit facility for ULTA Beauty at Southpoint Business Park in Indianapolis.
- The completion of a 690,000 ft² (64,000 m²) regional distribution center for a leading global sports retailer at Magna Park Baoldi in North China. This project follows the early completion of a similar project in Germany for the same customer.
- The signing of a 631,000 ft² (59,000 m²) lease to a major e-commerce company at Park South in the Cincinnati market.
-The commencement of a 600,000 ft² (56,000 m²) national distribution center for a global toy retailer in Paris, France.
- The signing of a 412,808 ft² (38,351 m²) lease to a leading technology-focused e-retailer at World Connect @Ameriplex in Indianapolis.
-The signing of a 467,000 ft² (43,000 m²) deal in the Atlanta market with a leading developer, manufacturer and distributer of medical equipment for respiratory disorders.
Under the new brand, IDI Gazeley will bring together its diverse customer community drawn from across the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG)/retail, transport and logistics, automotive, industrial, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors. IDI Gazeley will collectively own and operate a global industrial property portfolio across nine countries including the USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico and China.
As of May 28, 2014, this included approximately 58 million ft² (5.4 million m²) of assets currently under management and occupied industrial warehouse space, with prime land sites to develop an additional 68 million ft² (6.3 million m²) of distribution facilities. Of this, 17 million ft² (1.58 million m²) of development is currently scheduled for 2014.
To date, IDI Gazeley has developed in excess of 228 million ft² (21 million m²) of sustainable warehouse space for over 900 customers worldwide.
Ric Clark, Chief Executive Officer of the Brookfield Property Group commented: “We are very excited by the tremendous opportunities that the launch of the global IDI Gazeley brand will bring across our industrial portfolios for our investment partners and our customers.
The collective brand will have scale, experience and the backing of a strong parent. We intend to grow the platform rapidly by leveraging global customer relationships, pursuing attractive opportunities in key markets and developing our premier land bank.
Brookfield’s experience in managing and developing property assets globally, coupled with IDI Gazeley’s already enviable long-term track record, positions the new brand for long term growth.  Additionally, with an improving global economic backdrop, evolving supply chains, growth of e-commerce, increasing emerging market consumption trends, we expect to see significant opportunities for growth in the high-quality logistics sector.”
Jay Cornforth, Global Head of Industrial for the Brookfield Property Group also commented: “This is a natural evolution of our emerging logistics business and will create synergies between these two best-in-class organizations.  This move will be particularly helpful to our customers around the world
Source: Brookfield