Distribution property specialist sbh has been retained by the UK’s fastest-growing parcel company, DPD, to advise on all property aspects of the company’s £175m UK expansion programme which includes the construction of 10 new bespoke parcel depots, plus other major investments over the next four years. The first of the new depots is currently under construction in Thetford, Norfolk.

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Since the start of the recession in 2009, DPD has grown its sales by more than 50% and is expanding in order to meet growing demand from the home delivery sector. Its success has been driven mainly by the popularity of its unique Predict advance notification service, which gives home shoppers a one hour window in which their parcel will arrive. The company, a subsidiary of French postal group La Poste, now collects and delivers over one million parcels per week across the UK.

sbh has worked closely with DPD over the past 10 years on all aspects of its property portfolio, developing a strong partnership and understanding of the business. sbh has been appointed as tenant’s agent to construct the new distribution depot in Thetford. The 37,000 sq ft new build on the 3.1 acres site is due to be completed in April 2013. With a lease of 20 years, the new distribution depot will provide DPD with additional long-term warehousing for its booming business.

The depot will have an eaves height of 6m, a total of 31 loading doors (26 level entry and five dock level doors). The specification will accommodate gas-fired radiant tube heaters and fluorescent T5 lighting. DPD has been given early access to complete the fit out, which will include installation of conveyer equipment as well as internal and external CCTV. sbh aims to complete the project in April  with the opening being set for May 2013.

SBH_HIRESManaging the acquisition programme, sbh Director Shaun Galvin commented: ‘We are very pleased and proud to be co-operating with a world-class business like DPD on one of the industry’s most extensive and ambitious programmes. We have also re-geared leases on nine of their existing depots, taking advantage of improved terms available since 2008 and of DPD’s attraction to landlords anxious to find reliable, well-funded long-term tenants. Working with the company for more than a decade has enabled us to gain a deep insight into its culture and operations, providing an ideal platform to ensure a successful outcome to this major investment programme.’

DPD’s Director of Technical Services Mark Wilkes adds: ‘The new DPD depots mean we’ll be able to handle the extra volume produced by the new business we’re winning. I am delighted that once again we are partnering with sbh whose expertise will help us ensure that all new sites are completed on time and on budget.’

sbh

Andy Melvin

Tel: 01992 780000

Email: andy.melvin@sbh.co.uk

www.sbh.co.uk

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