Ben Oughton, Jaynic development director, said: “We submitted the planning application speculatively to maintain the momentum of delivering further high-quality buildings for this prime A14 scheme. We can have the next building ready for an occupier within 9-12 months on a freehold or leasehold basis for B2 (manufacturing) or B8 (distribution) uses. The size of the unit is influenced by current demand and is well suited to this prime position at the entrance to Gateway 14.”

Sir Christopher Haworth, Chair of Gateway 14 said: “We are very pleased finally to achieve planning consent for this high quality, sustainable proposal, which will provide a gateway building to the park. With the Skills and Innovation Centre moving forward and a number of other new occupiers coming to the site, the immediacy of the availability of this building is key to satisfying the growing demand for accommodation in this important location.”

Plans for the new unit on the state-of-the-art business, innovation and logistics park adjacent to Junction 50 of the A14 in Stowmarket were shared with neighbouring communities, district and parish councillors, and the chamber of commerce through stakeholder briefings – with considerable emphasis on the quality of architecture and Gateway 14’s commitment to the environmental, social & governance (ESG) agenda.

Sustainability was a central feature of the application, and the design is BREEAM excellent, including an EPC A rating, EV charging, LED lighting, solar PV, smart energy systems, and rainwater harvesting. The goal is to deliver low-carbon and net-zero solutions where possible.

Biodiversity is also a priority, with high-quality landscaping, green corridors, and nesting boxes being introduced to support not only wildlife and ecology but also create a vibrant, attractive, and healthy working environment for employees.

Gateway 14 is set to provide up to 2.36 million sq ft of development opportunities for R&D, manufacturing, and logistics businesses.

The park is already home to a new 1.17m sq ft distribution centre for garden and leisure retailer The Range, which will take occupation this summer. Two businesses specialising in the manufacture of sustainable and eco-friendly building materials have also agreed to move to the site, occupying two buildings totalling over 130,000 sq ft.

Funding of £18.8m has been agreed this week to create a 35,000 sq ft Skills & Innovation Centre at Gateway 14 in Stowmarket. Mid-Suffolk Council’s wholly-owned subsidiary Gateway 14 Ltd will develop the centre in partnership with developer Jaynic. It will be the latest development there to support business, create jobs, and boost the local economy.

Mid Suffolk District Council’s plan for the new three-storey centre at Gateway 14, part of the Freeport East site, includes office space for high-growth start-ups, collaboration spaces, training and meeting rooms, and a café.

Freeport East agreed to £ 16.66 million in funding for the state-of-the-art centre in March, and Mid Suffolk’s Cabinet approved an updated funding strategy to meet the remaining costs.

Gateway 14 benefits from being part of Freeport East, one of only eight freeports in he UK. The freeport status will provide many businesses on Gateway 14 with a range of benefits, including a suite of tax reliefs and simplified customs arrangements.

Gateway 14’s agents are Savills and Avison Young, and further land is available for design-and-build units on a bespoke basis.

For more information, please visit www.freeporteast.com.

The building, a new distribution centre for garden and leisure retailer The Range, has been completed by Gateway 14 Ltd – a wholly owned subsidiary of Mid Suffolk District Council, with development partner Jaynic, and undertaken by contractor Winvic Construction Ltd.

Gateway 14 Chair, Sir Christopher Haworth, said: “This is a great day for Stowmarket and the surrounding region. Not only does it bring over 1,600 jobs to this prime location, but it also delivers the first building on the new highly sustainable, mixed-use Gateway 14 development, set in an attractive parkland setting. We already have further strong interest in the park and expect to be able to identify new occupiers in the near future.”

Mid Suffolk District Council leader Cllr Andrew Mellen said: “Completion of this building is a significant milestone for Gateway 14 and Mid Suffolk.  By bringing its operations to Stowmarket, The Range is creating hundreds of new jobs for the region and providing a boost to the local economy.

“It is also the first business to come to Gateway 14 – with the site taking shape as a major landmark for business and innovation in the east. I am really pleased that the building has been constructed with high environmental standards, as we want this whole development to be an exemplar of good, sustainable practice.”

Alex Simpkin, CEO at The Range, said: “We are thrilled to receive the keys to this best-in-class distribution centre, which is a key milestone in The Range’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency, streamlining logistics and supporting the expansion of our retail store network and website in the UK.

“It’s fantastic that the project is being delivered on time enabling us to press forward and create much-needed jobs for the local area at a time when they are needed the most.

“This site will support us in our goal of delivering an ever-expanding range of high quality, value-for-money products for the public through our growing store portfolio and multichannel offerings.”

Danny Nelson, Winvic’s Director of Industrial, Distribution and Logistics, commented: “Gateway 14 is a significant project, not only for its size but also its sustainability features. It has been a pleasure to work in partnership with Jaynic for the first time to construct the 1.17 million square foot industrial facility, which will soon be occupied by The Range, and we hope to build on our relationship in the future.”

Ben Oughton, Development Director of Jaynic, said: “We have worked closely with The Range to bring forward a highly sustainable building that will be the benchmark for future buildings moving forward.”

Gateway 14 benefits from being part of Freeport East, one of only eight Freeports in the UK.  The Freeport status provides businesses on Gateway 14 with a range of benefits, including a suite of tax reliefs and simplified customs arrangements, together with partnering to deliver innovation and skills support for the wider community.

Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East said: “This a landmark first development for Freeport East but the first of many.  Bringing a diverse range of new business operations into the Freeport East area will strengthen and diversify our local economy and provide a range of opportunities for local people.  With 100% of all the business rates collected at Gateway 14 being recycled into local growth priorities, it means that this major development will also drive benefits across local communities, such as supporting our new Innovation & Skills Fund and supporting local businesses to innovate and grow.”

Gateway 14 will provide high-specification buildings with sustainability as a central feature, including EV charging, LED lighting, solar PV, smart energy systems and rainwater harvesting. The development is committed to meeting a Very Good BREEAM rating and will strive for Excellent wherever possible as well as delivering low carbon and net zero solutions. The distribution facility for The Range achieves BREEAM Excellent.

Accessibility through and around the development is a key feature, with significant walking and cycling routes being integrated along with access to public transport links and local amenities.

Biodiversity on the site is also a priority, with high-quality landscaping, green corridors and nesting boxes all being introduced across the site to support not only the wildlife and ecology but also to create a vibrant, attractive, and healthy working environment for employees.

Image: L-R of people holding the key:

Chris Haworth, Gateway 14 Ltd, Cllr Andrew Mellen, Mid Suffolk DC and Tony George, The Range.

The UK Warehousing Association (UKWA) has announced that 2024 will see the launch of a high-profile, year-long campaign to highlight the critical role of warehousing in supply chains, the sector’s major contribution to the UK economy, essential employment of 1m people, and the key role it is set to play in embracing solar power to achieve UK’s net zero goals.

‘2024: The Year of Warehousing’ will coincide with the 80th  anniversary of the Association’s inception in 1944, and will include an ambitious program of 80 site visits across the UK by UKWA CEO Clare Bottle, whose aim is to showcase the high-tech, fast-moving working environments inside UK’s warehouses and raise public awareness of the sector.

Commenting on the initiative, Clare says, “Warehousing remains one of the fastest growing, yet least understood sectors in the UK. This is partly because people rarely see what happens inside these vast buildings, where millions of products are processed every day. Accordingly, the essential work warehouses have always been ‘behind the scenes’ and, therefore, to a large extent, underappreciated. However, as our role becomes increasingly central to everyday lives, it’s time to turn the spotlight onto all the great work we do and for the warehousing sector to be more widely recognised by government, media and the general public for its achievements.”

Warehousing is changing rapidly as traditional High Street tasks are being forced back up the supply chain by e-commerce, whilst quasi-manufacturing activities like assembling gift packs or printing T-shirts are pushed downstream. Warehouses have also become hubs for returns management, recycling, upcycling and repairs, helping reduce waste as part of the circular economy.

As a result, warehouse buildings are becoming larger and higher to accommodate this additional activity. 1% of the 4000 largest warehouses in the UK are so-called ‘mega-sheds’ of over 1 million sq ft. and this trend is set to continue. Automation and robotics are being adopted increasingly, improving productivity and supporting workforce well-being, while sustainability is baked into new buildings to reduce emissions and control costs.

Warehouse rooftops offer huge potential for generating clean, affordable solar power, as UKWA’s landmark report confirmed. This will place intense focus firmly on the sector as the government looks towards industrial rooftop installations to contribute a third of its 2035 target to increase solar capacity by nearly fivefold. Many warehouse operators have already embarked on this journey.

Clare Bottle concludes, “Marking the 80th anniversary of the UK Warehousing Association, the 2024 ‘Year of Warehousing’ campaign will showcase the considerable social and economic benefits of warehousing, introduce exciting new initiatives, and step up support for UKWA members.

“As part of the celebrations, in addition to the 80 warehouse visits and a series of planned events for members, in 2024, we will be introducing the first independently accredited Warehouse Manager CPC qualification, commissioning a definitive property report into the current UK warehousing landscape, and unveiling a new solar rooftop installation toolkit.

“We will be celebrating in style, talking more than ever about warehousing, driving up industry standards, engaging with our growing community and, most importantly, securing the recognition for our sector that it truly deserves!”

Mike Thomas, Chairman of the UKWA Board and Client Services Director at Delamode International Logistics, adds, “The Board are delighted to support Clare and the UKWA team committing resources to celebrate this significant milestone anniversary while boosting the business profile of our great warehousing industry. We look forward to a fantastic year ahead!”

The UKWA’s ‘Year of Warehousing’ campaign was announced at UKWA’s Annual Parliamentary Luncheon at The House of Lords on Tuesday, 17th October.

Image: UKWA CEO Clare Bottle announces ‘2024 Year of Warehousing’ campaign with the support of industry leaders.

GMA Warehousing and Transport, a prominent player in the Warehouse and Logistics industry, is excited to introduce two dynamic professionals who have joined their leadership team, along with the unveiling of a brand-new website and refreshed branding.

Mark Oakley, with an illustrious career spanning over 25 years in Logistics, has been appointed as the Deputy Managing Director. Mark brings a wealth of experience, having served in various capacities, from Business Development to Head of Operations for major industry corporations. His focus on excellent customer service, fostering a strong team culture, and executing a service-driven growth plan will undoubtedly drive GMA to new heights. Beyond the boardroom, Mark enjoys spending quality time with family and friends and indulging in a round of golf.

Liam Hall takes on the role of Commercial Director, armed with over 15 years of dedicated experience in Warehouse and Logistics. His deep insights into the industry from customer, supplier, and shipping agent perspectives make him a valuable asset to the team. Liam’s commitment to excellence in Logistics Management is underscored by his National and International CPC achievement in 2019 and his IOSH Managing Safely certification in 2022. Beyond his professional pursuits, Liam is known for his easy-going nature, outgoing personality, and active lifestyle that includes fitness classes, football, and exploring the great outdoors on his bike.

Together, Mark and Liam bring a winning combination of experience, expertise, and a shared passion for forging meaningful connections in the ever-evolving Warehouse and Logistics landscape. Their strategic vision and dedication to excellence align perfectly with GMA’s commitment to delivering exceptional results.

In addition to this exciting leadership expansion, GMA Warehousing and Transport is thrilled to announce the launch of a new website and updated branding. The new website showcases a fresh and modern design, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions. Keep an eye out for GMA’s distinctive new brand on their lorries as they continue to evolve and grow in the industry.

Image: L-R Mark Oakley and Liam Hall

Ipswich-based warehouse specialist Anchor Freight has received customs approval and is now an authorised ETSF Warehouse operator.

This expansion of services will benefit businesses and individuals involved in international trade who require temporary storage for their goods in the UK. Key aspects of the recent announcement include:

Increase of Services

ETSF – External Temporary Storage Facility (previously ERTS) is a temporary storage option for non-Union goods imported into the UK before they undergo customs procedures or re-export.

Efficient Customs Clearance

The new facility is designed to streamline customs clearance and storage processes for customers’ goods, with the aim of reducing delays and costs associated with international trade.

Expertise

The new authorisation enables Anchor Freight to emphasise its in-house customs clearance and warehouse team’s knowledge and ethos. It also showcases the company’s reputation for being fast, flexible and friendly, all crucial details when ensuring the efficient handling of imports and exports.

Security Measures

The facility boasts advanced security measures, including site security, CCTV surveillance, barrier control, and ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition), providing much-needed peace of mind to customers storing their goods.

Location

The company’s location just off the A14 and its proximity (11 miles) to the port of Felixstowe makes Anchor Freight a convenient choice for businesses looking for efficient and practical storage solutions for their domestic and global trade operations.

This expansion demonstrates Anchor Freight’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions for logistics and warehousing needs, especially for businesses and individuals involved in international trade who require temporary storage for their goods.

If anyone is interested in any of Anchor Freight’s services or requires more information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with John Denny at john.denny@anchor-freight.co.uk