Read our insight series exploring current trends, challenges and opportunities facing those operating in the logistics sector across key jurisdictions in Europe.
Delivering the goods: From the first to the last mile
As global economic dynamics change, consumer demands evolve and the requirements of retailers and distribution specialities change accordingly. High demand for state-of-the-art logistics centres (from big-box to central hubs) and providers of innovative last mile solutions provides substantial opportunities for a wide range of investors, developers and providers.
At Addleshaw Goddard, we help our clients make the most of these opportunities, as well as navigate any challenges - such as maximising the benefit of rail freight in a complex practical and regulatory world, protecting the supply chain, anticipating and reacting to the latest developments in the use of IT, and complying with the myriad of regulatory constraints on data, employment and health & safety.
Our logistics team is made up of leading specialists in a variety of sectors, including real estate, transport and retail and consumer. This mix makes for a strong, talented group of lawyers who are able to draw on their individual experiences and sector knowledge to deliver innovative, commercial solutions at every point of the supply chain.
Our team has advised clients on a range of issues, including:
- advice on portfolio management in conjunction with daily operational issues such as data protection, regulation, employment and IT
- funds, co-investments and joint ventures
- infrastructure (such as the letting, funding, construction and development of warehouses)
- procurement and tender process advice
- property disputes and litigation
- rail freight and port connections, regulated contracts and supply agreements
- third party agreements and outsourcing
- UK and cross-border direct and indirect real estate investments
- Extensive experience
- AG has advised both Rasmala and GII on their acquisition of logistics facilities in Germany for c.€150 million. The first facility is a major new Amazon logistics centre spanning 88,000 sqm and comprised two buildings completing separately through the acquisition of a German holding structure. This was a joint venture between Rasmala and GII and acquired through a Sharia'h-compliant structure held through Jersey. The second facility, a logistics centre let to a subsidiary of sports goods retailer Decathlon, was acquired at the same time but solely for Rasmala. The AG team was led by Leona Ahmed and Stewart Womersley with Peter Sayer and Habib Ullah. The German law aspects were dealt with by local firm GSK. Read more
- Helaba on the £197m facility for London Metric Properties plc secured on a portfolio of logistic / distribution centres.
- Omega Warrington Limited (a Miller Developments JV) in relation to its £1 billion long term development agreement at Omega Warrington with the Homes and Communities Agency including most recently advising OWL on the £47.5m pre-let of a 690,000 sq ft logistics centre to The Hut Group, forward funded by LondonMetric; the £23m, 240,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, forward funded by owner-occupier Plastic Omnium; the forward funded 117,000sq ft manufacturing facility to Domino's Pizza and the speculative forward funded disposal to LondonMetric of a £30m, 356,000sq ft distribution warehouse.
- Prologis in connection with it leading Prologis RFI DIRFT development including the recent letting of DC240 to Eddie Stobart, the letting of circa 1m sq ft to Sainsbury's, and the letting of and advising in connection with the regularisation of the private railway network in compliance with the ORR requirements to facilitate the connection into DIRFT III.
- RBS Pension Trustee Limited in connection with the sale of The Hub, Braintree, Essex (7 unit industrial estate) for circa £17.9m.
- Sainsbury's on the development of three regional distribution centres (each c.500,000sqft) in the UK including the acquisition of land required for the development and the development agreements.
- South Yorkshire Pensions Authority in connection with the purchase of:
- The Oxgate Centre, Oxgate Lane London (an estate of 8 units now all fully let) for £15m.
- Orpington Business Park (9 unit speculative warehouse development) for £9.8m and the forward commitment to purchase North Chiswick Business Park, Acton (5 unit warehouse development) which is in the course of development for £11.9m.
- A membership warehouse distribution group with respect to its investments and development projects in France through acquisitions, construction of warehouses or long term lease contracts.
- Standard Life Investments UK Property Fund in connection with
- the purchase of Saxon Way Trading Estate (16 unit industrial estate adjacent to Heathrow Airport) for £23.7m
- the acquisition of the iO Centre, Sutton (industrial site comprising approx 20 let units over Site A & B)
- the purchase and forward funding of Plot H Kingsway Business Park Rochdale (retail warehouse) for £15m
- the purchase, development and letting (to The Entertainer (Amersham) Limited) and subsequent disposal of a distribution warehouse and other land at Banbury Cross, Banbury
- formation of their European Real Estate Club fund targeting £200m for investment in retail and logistics assets across Europe
- Threadneedle equity club on its acquisition of the Galahad portfolio comprising light industrial warehouses for £190m.
- A US-backed PE fund structured in Luxembourg on a £200m+ indirect acquisition of a substantial mixed UK portfolio of office and logistic assets.
- US and European investors on the acquisition and the construction of logistics centres in France.
- A UK property developer on its c£40m JV in relation to the acquisition and development of logistics assets in Eastern Europe.
- Thought Leadership and Credentials
Logistics report: How soon is now?
Our report, How soon is now? gathers the views of leading investors, developers, occupiers and operators and sets out policy recommendations on how the logistics sector should respond to the current challenges and opportunities.
Real Estate Brochure
We are proud of our award-winning Real Estate Practice. As one of the largest offerings in the market we are built to effectively manage the property asset lifecycle from acquisition to exit. We’d like to share with you some of those highlights.
Download our Real Estate brochure here
Our experience in the Logistics sector
Our logistics team is made up of leading specialists in a variety of sectors, including real estate, transport and retail and consumer. This mix makes for a strong, talented group of lawyers who are able to draw on their individual experiences and sector knowledge to deliver innovative, commercial solutions at every point of the supply chain.
OM5G: The impact on Real Estate
The report features contributions from over 80 industry experts, and thought leadership pieces on how 5G will impact cities, housing, offices, retail and logistics.
- Testimonial
"They're great on complex stuff, and you can trust them on matters of high value and importance. They're technically excellent, level-headed, and very commercial and practical."
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