Illescas, January 27th – Groupe CAT, the global logistics operator, and P3 Logistic Parks, a pan-European real estate investor, developer and owner of logistics real estate, have inaugurated a new warehouse in the P3 Illescas logistics park, located in Plataforma Central Iberum (Toledo).
P3 Logistic Parks has developed a build to suit (BTS) project which will be managed by Groupe CAT, one of the world's leading logistics operators. From these facilities, the company will provide warehousing and capillary distribution services for Continental’s products, a leading tire manufacturer. In this way, the new asset becomes the largest distribution center in Spain of the high-profile German manufacturer.
The BTS asset has a Gross Lettable Area (GLA) of 28,251m², with 27,704m² of warehouse and 547m² of offices. The warehouse has a total height of 12.35 metres, while the free layout is 9.62 metres. Overall, the project will have 27 loading docks and ramps, and also 120 parking spaces. The site will apply the highest standards of sustainability and energy efficiency, in line with the ESG pillars of Groupe CAT, P3 Logistic Parks, Continental and Plataforma Central Iberum (PCI). As such, the project complies with all requirements for a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification for sustainability, with the aim to significantly reduce its carbon footprint.
In fact, one of the highlights of this new warehouse is its strategic location in Illescas, an area that has become a national hub of logistics activity thanks to its excellent connections and that offer great potential for the companies located there.
In this facility, where warehousing, quality checks, IN/OUT, preparations and distribution activities will be performed, Continental will optimize the opportunities offered by the prime location and Groupe CAT to increase its warehousing capacity by 25%, improving delivery times.
This new opening also offers important economic benefits for Illescas and especially for the region of La Sagra. The different phases of the project shall create more than 100 new jobs.
The opening ceremony was hosted by José Manuel Tofiño, Mayor of Illescas. He said: "Those who believe in Illescas get success because it is a safe bet, as has been demonstrated over the years. That is why we are now reaping the rewards. The future is already here and it is present as we see in this inauguration, in which these prestigious businesses have participated. We are very happy to have helped these companies to achieve their objectives".
Additionally, Ignacio Hernando Serrano, Councilor of Development of the Junta de la Comunidad de Castilla-La Mancha has emphasized that this new project is intended "to help companies create wealth and employment and to encourage relationships based on trust”. He stressed: "Even in times of difficulty, we must continue to bet and trust in public-private collaboration. We are working to create a regulatory environment that invites companies to join Illescas. We welcome Groupe CAT and Continental home".
This opening consolidates P3 as one of the leading owners of logistics warehouses in Spain, and Illescas as one of the most important logistics hubs. Javier Mérida, General Manager of P3 Logistic Parks in Spain, said: "Groupe CAT has relied upon P3's experience and services to promote this project and strengthen its logistics network. Illescas is reinforcing its position as one of the most important logistics hubs in Southern Europe. The warehouse comes in addition to the 200,000m² we already have in this location, plus the speculative project of 26,000m² that we will complete in the upcoming months".
In the words of Antonio Pérez, Country Manager Cargo of Groupe CAT Spain: "We are experts, among other sectors, in the logistics of the automotive industry and this is supported by our strong track record, which has been recognized by Continental in choosing us for this great project. We start 2023 with this great challenge, full of enthusiasm and with the certainty that these facilities will be a marker within the sector, taking advantage of all the opportunities of our experience and differential characteristics".
Antoine Ritz, COO of Groupe CAT said: "We are proud that Continental has believed in us to implement its largest distribution center in Spain. Our great experience in the sector, the financial capacity of Groupe CAT and the proposed project, have been key in this decision that will lead the German company to improve and expand logistics coverage in our country. We will work together to achieve the best results and I am sure this collaboration will be a turning point for the sector".
Jon Ander García, General Manager of Continental Spain, is confident the opening of the new warehouse represents a major step in the company's growth strategy. He said: "Thanks to this agreement, Continental continues to strengthen its commitment to the Spanish market by investing in this logistics center, which in addition to improving our services, will create direct and indirect jobs. In our sector, having a reliable and trustworthy partner to manage logistics activities and provide the service that our customers and end users deserve is crucial to maintaining growth in all product segments and therefore we are very proud to be able to go hand in hand in this project with two very important players in the logistics sector".
A strategic location
The Plataforma Central Iberum enjoys a privileged location 40 kilometers from Madrid, in the heart of the central logistics corridor and with direct connections to the A-42 and the AP-41. P3 Logistic Parks and Groupe CAT are committed to Illescas, a key area due to its importance for national logistics and its strategic position in the central corridor with key connections to the Mediterranean corridor. Companies such as Amazon, Airbus, Correos, Seur or Toyota are already present in this location.