Pall-Ex has signed an £80m landmark lease agreement with commercial property developer Barberry for a state-of-the-art freight distribution hub in Leicestershire, which the pallet network is promising will redefine the industry.
The facility, known as the Centre of Excellence, will cover 408,000sq ft on a 35-acre site and will serve as the flagship logistics hub for the network, housing Pall-Ex’s UK and European headquarters.
Scheduled to begin construction later this year, the Centre of Excellence has been designed with sustainability and innovation at its core. It will be built to exceptional ESG standards, aiming for EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent accreditation.
To achieve the highest rating of EPC A+, the hub incorporates a variety of energy-efficient and eco-friendly features, including electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels, and designated green spaces.
Once complete, the hub will be the first purpose-built facility in the pallet network sector to be energy self-sufficient, setting the standard for environmentally responsible logistics.
Kevin Buchanan, Pall-Ex Group chief executive, views the construction of Pall-Ex’s new HQ as a pivotal stage of the company’s strategy to revolutionise the way the network operates in terms of sustainability and operational excellence.
He said: “Our new multi-million-pound, cutting-edge Centre of Excellence isn’t just about expansion and growth - it’s about redefining the industry through technology, quality, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. As a market leader, we are immensely proud to unveil plans for premises that will be A+ rated, carbon-neutral, and built for the future.
“This investment signals a massive opportunity for our stakeholders, reinforcing Pall-Ex’s position at the forefront of operational excellence. We are once again leading the way and shaping the future of palletised freight distribution through innovation, technology and sustainability.”
Industrial developer Barberry has a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development pipeline, with a gross development value of more than £600m.
Jonathan Robinson, Barberry development director, said: “We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a pre-let agreement with Pall-Ex to deliver the company’s new national Centre of Excellence in Leicestershire.
“Working closely with Pall-Ex we plan to create a new national palletised freight distribution centre that will deliver new ESG credentials, carbon net zero in occupation, staff welfare recreation zone incorporating football pitch, basketball court, club house helping attract and retain staff while providing Pall-Ex with the operational excellence that will make the business stand out amongst its UK competitors.”
“After agreeing a long-term lease with the company, we have now submitted a planning application to Hinckley and Bosworth District Council for a 408,000 square foot warehouse near Bardon, located just a couple of miles from junction 22 of the M1, providing access to the national motorway network.”
