In the last edition of Warehouse & Logistics News, Hörmann commented on its success within the big shed market, leading to a rise in new build projects over 2014. This resulted in the industrial door manufacturer and loading bay specialist announcing an impressive 74 per cent increase in turnover in the twelve months to November.

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Hörmann’s success is down to accommodating multiple dotcom businesses. Retailers like Amazon, for example, have required installations that incorporate over 70 loading bays. The growth is mainly due to the rapid rate at which consumers are heading online to do their shopping.

Not only has there been an increase in big projects, speculative builds have also been on a steady rise via major developers like Prologis, IDI Gazeley, and contractors such as Volker Fitzpatrick, Winvic, Buckingham and Sir Robert McAlpine. Hörmann is continuing to work with these companies in 2015, starting with Prologis’ Dartford site for Europa.

The area of continued ‘big shed’ growth that Hörmann is predicting for 2015 is within food retail, albeit at a slightly less frantic speed. A lot of its recent business has come from supermarkets with new build distribution warehouses. It is therefore interesting to ask how long this expansion is going to last, and what the next notable trend will be.

If the number of new build constructions start to decrease, there is plenty of scope to refurbish existing sites. The quality of old stock will not necessarily meet all of the current environmental standards, so leased factories will not always be able to command a rental income. This means certain warehouses could be left vacant, so it is important for manufacturers like Hörmann to provide high quality, good value products for these businesses to continue to thrive. The company is currently working with Marks & Spencer in Bradford to re-engineer its existing distribution centre, which is due for completion this month.

As a result, new product development is key to updating existing builds with thermally efficient and carbon friendly features. 3PL companies and retailers, in particular, are looking to the property market to help them meet these regulations and future-proof their operations. As such, it is essential that companies like Hörmann have the ability to adapt to customer needs.

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A shining example of how the German manufacturer has been flexible is with French bakery Brioche Pasquier. The UK warehouse operation is based on a 250,000 sq ft site in Milton Keynes. The build started using steel imported from France, so Hörmann France collaborated with Hörmann UK to fulfil the project’s door requirements from overseas.

It just goes to show that successful specifications and installations can be finished on time and within budget when the end user, manufacturer and developer work in harmony.

Tel: 01530 516888

Email: info@hormann.co.uk

www.hormann.co.uk

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