The pressure to make logistics more efficient has never been greater. And it’s driving radical change. Sally Nash takes a tour of the shed of the future
In 1993, surveying firm Fuller Peiser published research outlining what occupiers wanted from their warehouses or sheds as they're referred to. At the time, the maximum eaves height required was 8.5m and occupiers stated that rail connectivity was the least important factor.
How times have changed. Almost 20 years down the line, BNP Paribas Real Estate (which Fuller Peiser is now part of) decided to revisit occupiers and ask them what they wanted the warehouse of the future to look like. Suffice to say, their demands and expectations bear little resemblance to their predecessors'.
For one, they want facilities to boast eaves of 12m to 15m high to accommodate high-bay facilities, according to the research, published in association with developer Gazeley last month. They also expect some form of sustainable energy source biomass or solar panels to be fitted as standard, and for warehouses to allow for a greater use of cross docking. Another key difference will be a growing reliance on a wider range of transport types, with more than 80% of occupiers agreeing that port-centric locations will grow in importance.
Flexibility is likely to be a further prerequisite. Just shy of 80% of research respondents indicated that they would be prepared to share warehouse space with other companies if it saved them money and that the shed would therefore need to be adaptable to shared use and collaboration.
Of course, going down this route could cost occupiers more money. "These preferences will result in higher costs for developers, which will translate into higher rental values," says Kevin Mofid, logistics analyst at BNP Paribas Real Estate and author of The Warehouse of the Future report.
The visual impact of such schemes on the landscape could also make it harder to obtain planning permission. But as the relentless drive for supply chain efficiency continues, many occupiers will take the view that the long-term gain is worth the short-term pain. And it's the trailblazers of today that will determine the warehouses of tomorrow.
Boxing clever
Loading bays
These will be at least 12m-15m or even higher to accommodate double deck trucks
Shared use
There will be more multiple user sites because of the greater flexibility offered
Cross-docked
As soon as goods arrive, they will be loaded directly on to outgoing vehicles to enhance efficiency
Green energy
Waste, solar panels and wind turbines will be fitted as standard to generate renewable energy
Rail links
As congestion worsens and the cost of road haulage increases, railfreight will become increasingly important
Port
The east coast ports of Yorkshire, such as Hull with their good transport links and lower property prices will attract larger DCs
Out-of-town
Congestion in towns will drive the growth of smaller depots on the outskirts of conurbations, served by fleets of super-trucks
In 1993, surveying firm Fuller Peiser published research outlining what occupiers wanted from their warehouses or sheds as they're referred to. At the time, the maximum eaves height required was 8.5m and occupiers stated that rail connectivity was the least important factor.
How times have changed. Almost 20 years down the line, BNP Paribas Real Estate (which Fuller Peiser is now part of) decided to revisit occupiers and ask them what they wanted the warehouse of the future to look like. Suffice to say, their demands and expectations bear little resemblance to their predecessors'.
For one, they want facilities to boast eaves of 12m to 15m high to accommodate high-bay facilities, according to the research, published in association with developer Gazeley last month. They also expect some form of sustainable energy source biomass or solar panels to be fitted as standard, and for warehouses to allow for a greater use of cross docking. Another key difference will be a growing reliance on a wider range of transport types, with more than 80% of occupiers agreeing that port-centric locations will grow in importance.
Flexibility is likely to be a further prerequisite. Just shy of 80% of research respondents indicated that they would be prepared to share warehouse space with other companies if it saved them money and that the shed would therefore need to be adaptable to shared use and collaboration.
Of course, going down this route could cost occupiers more money. "These preferences will result in higher costs for developers, which will translate into higher rental values," says Kevin Mofid, logistics analyst at BNP Paribas Real Estate and author of The Warehouse of the Future report.
The visual impact of such schemes on the landscape could also make it harder to obtain planning permission. But as the relentless drive for supply chain efficiency continues, many occupiers will take the view that the long-term gain is worth the short-term pain. And it's the trailblazers of today that will determine the warehouses of tomorrow.
Boxing clever
Loading bays
These will be at least 12m-15m or even higher to accommodate double deck trucks
Shared use
There will be more multiple user sites because of the greater flexibility offered
Cross-docked
As soon as goods arrive, they will be loaded directly on to outgoing vehicles to enhance efficiency
Green energy
Waste, solar panels and wind turbines will be fitted as standard to generate renewable energy
Rail links
As congestion worsens and the cost of road haulage increases, railfreight will become increasingly important
Port
The east coast ports of Yorkshire, such as Hull with their good transport links and lower property prices will attract larger DCs
Out-of-town
Congestion in towns will drive the growth of smaller depots on the outskirts of conurbations, served by fleets of super-trucks
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