A family-run logistics firm have announced they are expanding their reach with the addition of a multi-million-pound new warehouse in the East of England.
Independent logistics firm Hemisphere Freight Services is building a 243,511 sq ft warehouse at Suffolk Port One Logistics Park.
The development, by Curzon de Vere Ltd, is the largest purchase by an independent company on the site. It aims to help meet record-breaking demand for efficient warehouse space as global e-commerce sales exponentially increase.
And – as East Anglia’s first carbon neutral logistics park – Hemisphere and their clients will also be able to significantly reduce carbon throughout the supply chain.
The site, scheduled for build and completion by Q1 2024, will provide 34,750 racked pallet locations, stacking nine levels high, and an additional 8000 bulk loaded pallets on floors and mezzanines.
Hemisphere Freight Services already run a warehousing service from a number of sites across the country, including Felixstowe, Ipswich, Liverpool and London Heathrow.
Director Craig Perrin said: “This is a big moment for our business. Opening this additional warehouse will enable us to continue providing a full suite of logistics services to our current customer base whilst allowing us to address the challenges that we are seeing many prospective clients endure due to the lack of available warehousing space.
“Our aim as a business has always been to take the headache of logistics away from our clients by providing first class infrastructure and logistics services, all backed up by a brilliant team of logistics experts.
“We are determined to play an active part in the growth of warehousing sector and help drive the standards for the benefit of customers.
“The domino effect of growing this facility will enable us to store more products, fulfil orders efficiently, and to put more trucks on the roads to service more customers more quickly.”
The site will boast eight dock levellers, three of which are suitable for double decker trailers, and two 7.5 tonne hydraulic lifts for cargo and people. It will also house 6,600 sq ft of offices, equipped with showers, a canteen and a games room. The warehouse will also contain 12 EV parking spaces and 59 regular car parking spaces for staff and visitors.
Mr Perrin added, “As a brand-new development, Port One is committing for all its new B8 warehouses to be carbon neutral from May 2023 and as such will be East Anglia’s first carbon neutral logistics park.
“The new warehouse will feature industry leading initiatives such as 80+ acres of roofing PV solar panels which will supply the warehouse needs for high-speed car charging, office lighting and fork truck operation,” he said.
Key aspects of the logistics process are also being automated to take full advantage of time and cost savings.
Hemisphere client Elena Kabalkina of distributor Olli Ella, said: “Navigating the global retail industry is a challenge, but Hemisphere has always been glad to assist and are instrumental in making our UK operations a success.”
Louis Perrin, Director at Hemisphere, added: “For Hemisphere, this is a logical growth step in line with our clients’ growing needs and the huge number of opportunities that they wish to embrace.”
Port One Logistics Park is located close to Ipswich and Felixstowe Port, with direct access to the A14. Its proximity to Felixstowe makes it the most centrally located customs site within the Freeport East Zone. The Zone includes both Felixstowe and Harwich, which makes them the UK’s largest combined container port.
