A major new, sustainable warehousing development, known as the Rhenus Campus, has been officially opened by third-party logistics (3PL) provider Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK.
The campus, which is certified BREEAM Outstanding, is home to two warehouses, measuring a total of one million sq ft across 64 acres. The first warehouse is 210,000 sq ft, while the second totals 771,000 sq ft.
Significant reductions in whole-life carbon are being achieved at the site with elements such as the CLT timber floors, which have 64% lower embodied carbon than a standard floor.
Three air source heat pumps, enough to heat and ventilate the campus’ offices and provide frost protection for the warehouses, and 80 electric car charging points have been installed.
Renewable energy is being generated on-site via 2,288 415-watt solar panels, which give a total system size of over 949 kWp (kilowatt peak). The system will feed an estimated 870,000 kWh per annum into the campus – the equivalent power consumption of approximately 250 homes for a year.
Ronny Sassen, Rhenus Warehousing Solutions chief executive, said: “The ‘Rhenus Campus’ is one of the best examples of sustainable warehousing, and forms an important part of our global commitment to positively impacting the environment. Energy efficiency is being improved throughout and biodiversity initiatives are being implemented wherever possible.”
The site features extensive green spaces, homes for local wildlife, and between 700 and 900 native trees. Employees can utilise on-site allotments, sports pitches, a walking/cycling trail and outdoor gym.
Rhenus is also running a Community Outreach Programme, in which it has partnered with Nuneaton Borough Ladies and Girls FC, Attleborough Sports JFC, the Nuneaton branch of the British Gurkha Veterans Association and Dare2Dream Foundation, allowing them to use the company’s facilities.
Mike Gamble, Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK MD, said: “This is a hugely significant milestone for us.
”A lot of work has gone into making the ‘Rhenus Campus’ reach such impressive sustainability goals, and we are proud to have officially opened the development with our customers, partners and stakeholders.
”We are looking forward to providing our customers with innovative solutions from this environmentally-friendly, state-of-the-art facility.”
Amit Babbar, Baytree UK development director, said: “We are proud to have delivered the Rhenus Campus project at Baytree, Nuneaton.
”The project incorporates numerous industry firsts on a development of this scale, notable among which is the office building that comprises of offices on three floors and an atrium at lower ground level for Unit 2, whose structure is made entirely from timber.”
