Yusen Logistics UK has agreed a deal with specialist industrial developer and investor Segro for 1.2 million square feet at its Northampton scheme, becoming the Japanese firm's largest facility globally and the "biggest warehouse in the Midlands".
The lease, which is subject to detailed planning consent, is for Yusen Logistics to occupy a 1,191,000-square-foot unit at the 600-acre industrial and logistics park, enabling the company to "provide its customers with rail freight distribution solutions and support them in reducing their carbon emissions". It is the first tenant at the park.
Yusen Logistics' unit at Plot 6 will be developed to high sustainability standards, targeting a BREEAM Excellent rating, and will be fitted with photovoltaic panels and 220 electric vehicle charging units, allowing the firm to charge its all electric company car fleet.
The wider Segro Logistics Park Northampton development will comprise 5 million square feet of modern distribution space and sits next to Junction 15 of the M1. The site includes a 235-acre community park, offering footpaths, cycle routes, new woodlands and wetlands, 20 kilometres of hedgerows and the planting of 60,000 trees.
Yusen Logistics already occupies space in Northampton at another Segro industrial estate, Grange Park, taking around 210,000 square feet along Cheaney Drive. Its new unit is expected to be fully operational by summer 2025.
Dan Holford, head of national markets at Segro, said in a statement: "Segro Logistics Park Northampton not only represents a critical piece of our national industrial infrastructure for storing and transporting goods, it is enabling employment and economic growth and doing so with sustainability at its heart.
Segro said the construction of the 35-acre Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at the park is completed and Network Rail is scheduled to undertake the signalling work to connect the terminal to the rail network by autumn 2024.
Holford added: "We’re particularly pleased that rail freight terminal is proving to be an important factor in the decision to locate at this development."
Louch Shacklock acted for Yusen Logistics UK.