Hauts-de-France Region: a land of opportunity for XXL logistics
PRD -Illies-Salomé Development Project
Logistics was highlighted during the COVID-19 crisis. Without it, the economy does not function. Shops selling essential goods are not supplied, nor are hospitals or pharmacies. Without logistics, parcels expected by individuals are not prepared or delivered. Yet logistics is too often associated with a flow of lorries, land consumption and a low employment rate.
Among the territories, one region is an exception, and not the least, the Hauts-de-France. Its central position in Europe is no longer in question. Its proximity to the northern ports and major motorway routes make it a natural destination for logistics facilities with a European vocation.
It is no coincidence that the logistics stock in this region is almost as large as that of the Ile-de-France: 13.6 million m², or 16.4% of the total French logistics stock.[1]
One of the particularities of this region is the political support for logistics projects. " Logistics creates value and employment", emphasised the President of the region, Xavier Bertrand, at the Digital SITL 2020.
XXL sites with secure deadlines
For a distribution or logistics company, one of the main advantages of the region is that it has XXL sites available in the short term with secure lead times. In fact, several operations have been programmed in advance and the administrative authorisations (building permits and ICPE procedure) have been obtained. The timeframe for making the sites available is therefore secure, being limited to the construction period, which is only about 10 months.
Among the host sites, E-Valley, located in Cambrai, has announced a third location after Sun City and Bils Deroo. C-Log, the logistics subsidiary of the Beaumanoir group, confirmed its choice of this site in October.
Another major asset for logistics in the Hauts-de-France is the Delta 3 site and its intermodal yard, one of the most efficient in France. Regular combined transport lines link Delta 3 Dourges to Lyon, Miramas, Hendaye, Perpignan and Milan.
The Delta 3 logistics park is home to a number of major brands such as Leroy Merlin, Decathlon and La Foirfouille.
A short distance from this major site, in Bully-les-Mines (Lens), a site with planning permission for 100,000 m² is available for rent.
Closer to the Lille metropolis, the Illies-Salomé site offers three buildings of 100,000 m², 50,000 m² and 20,000 m², again with planning permission.
These sites have the advantage of being accessible from the A26 and A21 motorways, avoiding the congestion on the A1 motorway as it approaches Lille.
These XXL sites of 50,000 m² and more, up to 100,000 m², can meet the demands of large distribution groups or e-retailers. Logistics service providers will also be able to take advantage of these large sites to group together their customers and benefit from the advantages of a large site by generating synergies and reducing their operating costs.
Opportunities for urban logistics
The Hauts-de-France region also offers opportunities for local SMEs in logistics, e-commerce and urban delivery. The Port of Lille offers infrastructures and real estate capacities adapted to implement urban logistics solutions.
The sectors of Lesquin and Seclin naturally attract transport and logistics companies, more for regional distribution than for urban delivery to Lille.
Another site, very close to Lille, in Mons-en-Barœul, of 5,300 m², is offered for rent. This exceptionally well-located site, very close to the city centre of Lille, allows for the deployment of carbon-free urban delivery solutions. The European Metropolis of Lille is preparing to set up a Low Emission Zone which aims to gradually develop fleets of clean vehicles. To carry out these local deliveries using soft modes, electric vehicles or CNG, sites for consolidating flows as close as possible to the distribution area are needed. This 5,300m² site, which is currently available, will make it possible to meet the demands of urban logistics.
Bringing logistics closer to the inhabitants, as explained in a recent article for the Paris region, also applies to the Lille region.
Secured XXL sites, but also urban delivery and proximity logistics sites enable the Hauts-de-France region to meet the demands of operators who are helping to revive the economy.
EOL: your preferred partner
Involved in the development of the main logistics sites in the HAUTS-DE-FRANCE region, EOL assists companies with their establishment projects. For more information on these projects, please contact Karine Louarn, logistics consultant - klouarn@eol.fr - Tel: 06 35 88 84 99 and Enguerrand Cousyn, consultant Activities/logistics - ecousyn@eol.fr - Tel: 06 20 00 77 03
[1] Warehouses with a unit area of over 5,000 m²