Panattoni and neska turn the first sod

• Logistics space totalling 54,000 sqm to be built on brown-site land in Ladenburg  am Neckar
• Ground-breaking ceremony held on 27 July 2020
• Second project between logistics provider neska and Panattoni

Panattoni, the leading project developer for industrial and logistics facilities in Europe, held a ground-breaking ceremony for the new logistics facility in Ladenburg, south-west Germany, on 27 July 2020 together with Duisburg-based shipping and haulage firm neska. Representatives from neska and Panattoni as well as the local press and town mayor attended the symbolic sod-turning ceremony.

The site sits on the banks of the River Neckar and previously belonged to a cleaning product and homeware manufacturer. Parts of the existing industrial and chemical facilities will be incorporated into the new project and repurposed. But most of what was there had to be demolished before construction work could begin.

neska, a logistics provider operating across Germany, will use the facility as a warehouse and distribution centre for its clients in the region. The rental agreement was signed in March despite the challenging circumstances brought by the coronavirus crisis. This meant that Panattoni was able to secure full-time rental even before construction work began in June 2020.

The logistics building will extend over an area of 54,000 sqm and up to a height of 10 m (to bottom of girders); this will be supplemented by approx. 3,000 sqm office space as well as 152 car spaces and 24 lorry spaces. An ultra-modern high-bay warehouse will be integrated into the building and will be operated by semi-automated narrow-aisle trucks. And in order to ensure a sustainable energy supply, solar panels will be installed on the roof of the building.

As a logistics partner for industry and trade, neska stores and transports goods produced by regional industry. This includes chemical products and water-hazardous substances such as disinfectants and dyes. For this reason, the regulations for handling water-hazardous substances of water hazard class 3 will be implemented in the new logistics facility in Ladenburg. For neska, the site provides a major geographical advantage for the nationwide network of terminals and subsidiaries, as it has excellent links for lorries, trains and boats.

Alen Petrusic, General Manager of the neska branch in Mannheim, is delighted: “Thanks to the new logistics centre in Ladenburg, we can merge our existing branches in Mannheim and the surrounding area into a modern and efficient hub. This is a huge improvement for us and above all our clients. We have already had very positive experiences with Panattoni and so we look forward to working with them again.”

Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner at Panattoni, is pleased with the progress and smooth cooperation: “In spite of the major challenges brought by the coronavirus crisis, we have been able to start construction work on the speculative project in Ladenburg. We are pleased to have got neska on-board before the start of construction work, as we can help them achieve their strategic goals at relatively short notice. Furthermore, our working relationship with everyone involved is going like clockwork. And on top of that, by revitalising these spaces, we are making a lasting contribution to the local economy.”

neska and Panattoni previously worked together on a revitalisation project in the port of Düsseldorf in 2017. neska rented a logistics facility measuring 11,700 m² that arose during the second construction phase of Panattoni’s logistics park project in the port of Düsseldorf. The close proximity to the container terminal was a decisive advantage for neska when it came to expanding their business activities.

Panattoni expects the project in Ladenburg to be completed by the third quarter of 2021. Real-estate company Colliers International was responsible for marketing and Baumüller & Co. advised neska on rental aspects.