Logistics: The rush to the West?
In the logistics geography of France, the West occupies a specific place. The two regions, Pays-de-la-Loire and Brittany, are located away from the major European logistics routes. This territory of 7 million inhabitants is marked by a unique economic and demographic dynamism in France, like the Vendée, whose industrial fabric serves as an example for many local authorities. In urban and logistical terms, the West is a multipolar territory. Unlike many regions, it is not characterised by a dominant metropolis but is made up of a balanced network of economically attractive urban centres: Nantes, Rennes, Angers, Laval and Le Mans.
Endogenous logistics
These two regions attract logistics driven both by consumption and by local industries, particularly those in the food processing sector.
The major distribution groups have chosen this territory to build emblematic logistics sites. This is the case, for example, of Intermarché with the 70,000 m² platform in Erbrée (Rennes) or of Scaouest (LECLERC group) which operates a 110,000 m² site to the north-west of Nantes. Logistics demand is supported by industries, some of them large, located in the area. Groups such as Sodebo or Fleury-Michon are examples of integrated logistics in the vicinity of industrial units.
Re-industrialisation initiatives should benefit these two regions, which do not lack assets to attract companies. Some sites, such as the Stellantis site (Peugeot-Fiat group) in Rennes in the Parc de la Janais, offer potential for such projects.
But the West is also a historical territory for large transport and logistics groups, such as STG, Idea, Dachser or DB Schenker.
A structurally undersupplied market
With 7.2 million m² of warehouses[1]the existing stock in Pays-de-la-Loire and Brittany remains insufficient in relation to demand. This gap is accentuated by the low number of projects, particularly around Rennes and Nantes. The acceptability of logistics sites by a population that is increasingly sensitive to the quality of life and the environment requires legitimate efforts on the part of project developers: integration of the project into the territory, production of renewable energy, creation of biodiversity areas, but also accessibility to the site for employees and encouragement to use less polluting vehicles. These are the areas of work that are becoming essential in order to make logistics a lever for economic development around these two metropolises. One of the perspectives is also the densification in order to limit the use of land.
Around the other major urban centres, such as Cholet, Angers or Laval, which have an industrial history, opportunities for setting up logistics are more visible. Several projects are emerging and providing solutions for companies. This is the case for a 31,000 m² logistics building in Durtal, near Angers. This building, which is scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2023, is divisible from 5,800 m². Another example of a logistics development project is a 37,000 m² platform in Cholet, a building consisting of 6 cells of 5,400 m².
Sustainable urban logistics in focus
The major urban centres, notably Nantes, Rennes and Angers, are implementing local strategies to better organise urban delivery flows and support the development of city centres. From a logistical point of view, this is reflected in the creation of a network of urban logistics spaces in these areas, which allow for the consolidation of flows and also for deliveries using low-carbon vehicles and bicycle-carriers. New last-mile players are emerging to deliver to city centres, such as the Triporteurs de l'Ouest, Toutenvelo and Roue libre en Maine.
The need to identify spaces allowing the development of these virtuous initiatives is becoming a necessity, close to the different town centres of the territory.
Let's hope that this dynamic territory, synonymous with quality of life, will be able to welcome sustainable logistics that generate jobs and economic growth.
EOL: your privileged partner
Involved in the development of the main logistics sites in the BRITTANY and PAYS-DE-LA-LOIRE regions, EOL assists companies with their establishment projects. For more information on these projects, please contact Marc Sebille, Logistics Consultant Brittany & Pays de la Loire - msebille@eol.fr - Tel : 06 11 60 74 22 .
[1] Atlas of warehouses and logistics areas