Innovation

ProLogis regards its developments as an exercise in continuous improvement. Over the past 15 years, industrial/distribution warehouses have become larger and their requirements more complex. At the same time, customers expect ever-faster construction programmes, greater economy and improved quality. We work closely with our supply chain to respond to these growing demands with a series of developments in construction technology. For instance:

ProShed®

ProShed is our system-build approach to rapid product delivery, forming the basis of our technical strategy for high-quality, sustainable construction. Working with key suppliers for 12 months – during which every aspect of warehouse construction was challenged, analysed and rebuilt from first principles - we re-engineered the ProLogis building so it could be built in 50 days, or ten weeks. It had to be of premium quality, flexible in its use and future-proof. ProShed innovations are the reason for the exceptional air-tightness and low carbon footprint of all ProLogis buildings.

Sideway

When Advantage West Midlands selected ProLogis for its sustainable warehouse/office designs at Sideway, Stoke-on-Trent, it was an opportunity to realise years of innovative thinking. The main buildings have substantial triple-glazed North lights which reduce the need for electric lighting and provide a diffuse light that’s ideal for warehouse working. The main office is detached from the warehouse for improved cross-ventilation and natural daylight. Photovoltaic panels and low-energy systems will make these some of the most intelligent industrial/distribution buildings in Europe.

Pineham

New facilities are being developed for J Sainsbury, using a variety of advanced environmental features and technologies designed to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. They include: wall-mounted photovoltaic panels that generate electricity; solar walls that produce heat from sunlight; an on-site combined heat and power plant that reuses the by-product heat from the chilling process normally wasted to the environment; an on-site recycling facility; energy efficient lighting systems; and air-tight construction that minimizes energy loss through the external fabric of the building. All these sustainable initiatives contribute to meeting the goals of the 2006 UK Climate Change Programme. ProLogis estimates Sainsbury’s warehouse operation will be up to 75 percent more energy-efficient than a standard warehouse facility.

Howbury Park

ProLogis believes its designs for Howbury Park in Kent represent a step change in sustainable development. Our technical understanding and capability have inevitably expanded in the process of preparing this exciting scheme with direct rail-freight connections.

Building design at Howbury Park reflects state-of-the-art advances in sustainable construction. Its four warehouses will be “cable stay” structures, with external supports like a football stadium, enabling occupiers to rack, heat and sprinkler-fit each building more efficiently. Other features include fully-planted intensive green roofs, bordered by windows and cedar wood cladding. Overall, Howbury’s designs will achieve energy reductions of 85 per cent compared with a conventional shed and water consumption in the offices by 20 per cent.

Research

Logistics is a young and rapidly-changing industry. ProLogis keeps ahead of the field through its own dedicated research programmes. We also encourage independent research and disseminate the results to the wider industry.

At Sideway, Stoke-on-Trent, we are working with The School of the Built Environment, Nottingham University’s international centre for research in building technology, urban planning and sustainable design. The school is mounting a study of emerging sustainable technologies on our behalf.

We are also sponsoring a detailed investigation into UK logistics employment. This new research – conducted with the help of the property consultants GVA Grimley and researchers at Cranfield University School of Management - will provide a comprehensive analysis of B8 (distribution warehouse) employment and its contribution to Britain’s economic future.