Developer secures contract to build 1.2m sq ft industrial facility

Contractor Winvic Construction has secured a contract to design and build the first industrial facility at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, for Yusen Logistics.To mark the beginning of the 1.2m sq ft project, Winvic, SEGRO, and Yusen Logistics held a Japanese Kagami Biraki ceremony.The Kagami Biraki ceremony, also known as the sake barrel-breaking ceremony, is conducted to give blessings of success and prosperity upon the new project.Representatives from SEGRO and Yusen Logistics participated by striking the lid of a sake barrel with mallets and pouring sake into cups for the guests.Following this tradition, the ground was broken, and attendees had a guided tour of SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton.Winvic is tasked with constructing and outfitting a three-storey main office covering 35,810 sq ft, which includes a roof terrace, as well as a single-storey hub office.The design prioritises achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating, aiming to attain net-zero carbon emissions during construction.To support sustainability efforts, PV panels will cover the entire warehouse roof, while EV charging units will be installed onsite to power Yusen Logistics UK’s electric vehicle fleet.With an 18-meter haunch, the facility features 85 HGV docks and 10 HGV level access doors.There are also parking provisions for 924 cars, 163 HGVs, 230 cycles, and 34 motorcycles, with 185 parking spots for electric vehicles.Danny Nelson, Winvic’s head of industrial, distribution and logistics, said: “We are delighted to have been selected by SEGRO to construct the first industrial facility at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton. When it’s completed, we’ll have worked on the site for a total of four years, so I’d like to thank the SEGRO team for continuing to put their trust in us, as they did when creating SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway.“Winvic previously constructed a facility in nearby Wellingborough for Yusen Logistics as the tenant, so we’re looking forward to working with them again and to illustrating our high standards. I have the utmost confidence in our experienced team to deliver the project safely and on time.”Dan Holford, head of national markets at SEGRO, said: “We are incredibly proud to have attracted a world-class warehouse and distribution operator like Yusen Logistics to SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton as the development’s first pre-let customer, where we will be working together to deliver 1.2 million sq ft of highly sustainable space.“What makes this development truly special is how it will support customers to achieve their sustainability goals and net-zero ambitions, particularly through the delivery of sustainable buildings, a country park and the strategic rail freight terminal. Yusen Logistics’ decision to locate here is testament to this and we look forward to continuing our partnership with this exciting project.”