Building work is set to start on Leonardo’s £30 million single-site logistics facility at its helicopter site in Yeovil.
The facility will span an area of nearly 20,000 sq m – equivalent to 2.7 football pitches – and is scheduled to be completed in Q4 of 2022. The project will see the consolidation of eight existing warehouses into one all-encompassing logistics hub. Building work will begin in August. The facility will span an area of nearly 20,000 sq m – equivalent to 2.7 football pitches – and is scheduled to be completed in Q4 of 2022. The project will see the consolidation of eight existing warehouses into one all-encompassing logistics hub. The work is scheduled to begin in August.
The new facility will lead to a reduction in operating costs, by having all logistics under one roof and will maximises the potential of helicopter component logistics. Sustainable features will be built into the new logistics facility which will be equipped with rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, LED lighting and a heat recovery system in the main warehouse, which will be complemented by an office temperature control system. A bank of electrical vehicle charging points will also be built in.
Site to be operated by Kuehne+Nagel
The site will be operated under a new ten-year commercial contract with transport and logistics company Kuehne+Nagel, which will include an investment in plant and equipment installation and warehousing transition activity. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2023.The new facility will service the Yeovil production facilities and provide spares support for the global fleet of rotary aircraft built at Leonardo’s site in Yeovil – the UK’s only onshore helicopter manufacturer – and support the management of production tooling.
Nick Whitney, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters (UK) said: “The main aim of the Single-Site Logistics facility at Leonardo’s site in Yeovil is to consolidate all Yeovil-based warehousing.”
“This state-of-the-art facility will streamline the site’s operational capability and customer service by having all logistical support in one place. It highlights further Leonardo’s long-term commitment to its Yeovil site through the strategic development of this high-tech logistics hub. It also demonstrates the importance of key industry partnerships through our crucial collaboration with Kuehne+Nagel.”
Site demonstrates commitment to sustainability and the south west
He added the single single-site logistics facility demonstrated “Leonardo’s long-term commitment to Somerset, the south west and to its customers.” Whitney explained: “As a ground-breaking business infrastructure solution it also aligns strongly with Leonardo’s Industrial Plan, which focuses on stronger customer support services and proximity, thereby complimenting the Be Tomorrow – Leonardo’s 2030 Plan, the innovation roadmap supporting Leonardo’s long-term sustainable growth.”
