£80m national HQ for Pall-Ex gets go-ahead

Hinckley & Bosworth Council Planners approve development of Pall-Ex new Group HQ and flagship hub operation that will revolutionise operational excellence and sustainability.

Leading logistics network Pall-Ex and commercial property developer and investor Barberry have been given the go-ahead for the construction of a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art freight distribution hub in Leicestershire that will set the standard in the sector, it was announced today.

Pall-Ex's new Centre of Excellence - the largest build-to-suit pre-let deal in the UK this year - will cover 408,000 sq ft, with an additional 100,000 sq ft of canopy space, on a 14.2-hectare site.

The £80 million facility will serve as the flagship logistics hub for the network and will house Pall-Ex's UK and European headquarters. The investment reinforces Pall-Ex's position as a leader in quality, innovation, and technology within the industry.

The Centre of Excellence has been designed with sustainability and innovation at its core. It will be built to exceptional ESG standards, aiming for EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent accreditation.

To achieve the highest rating of EPC A+, the new hub incorporates a variety of energy-efficient and eco-friendly features, including electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels and designated green spaces. Once complete, it will be the first purpose-built facility in the pallet network sector in the UK to be energy self-sufficient, setting the standard for environmentally responsible logistics.

Barberry’s planning application for the development on land at Bardon, Leicestershire, was approved by Hinckley and Bosworth District Council on Tuesday, October 7.

Jonathan Robinson, Barberry Development Director, said: “We are thrilled to announce that, having earlier this year secured a pre-let agreement with Pall-Ex to deliver the company’s new national Centre of Excellence in Leicestershire, we have now achieved planning consent.

“Our development is key to the region and will create around 500 construction jobs and an estimated 534 permanent jobs, business rates for the local authority and economic growth for local businesses and the community. 

“Working closely with Pall-Ex, we will create a new national palletised freight distribution centre that will deliver new ESG credentials, carbon net zero in occupation, staff welfare recreation zone incorporating football pitch, basketball court, club house, helping attract and retain staff while providing Pall-Ex with the operational excellence that will make the business stand out amongst its UK competitors.

“I would like to thank Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for their key engagement with this process and indeed their exemplary service and support for our scheme.”

He added: “This is another significant investment by Barberry which demonstrates our strong financial position and continued commitment to the industrial and logistics sector in key strategic locations.”

Kevin Buchanan, Pall-Ex Group Chief Executive Officer, views the construction of the new HQ as a pivotal stage of the company’s strategy to revolutionise the way the network operates in terms of sustainability and operational excellence.

He said: “Our new, multi-million-pound, cutting-edge Centre of Excellence isn’t just about expansion and growth - it’s about redefining the industry through technology, quality, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. As a market leader, we are immensely proud to unveil plans for premises that will be A+ rated, carbon-neutral, and built for the future.

“This investment signals a massive opportunity for our stakeholders, reinforcing Pall-Ex’s position at the forefront of operational excellence. We are once again leading the way and shaping the future of palletised freight distribution through innovation, people, technology and sustainability.”

Stuart Bray, Leader of Hinckley & Bosworth Council said ” We are proud to be supporting Pall-Ex to develop this nationally significant scheme which will secure key employment benefits for local people”

Bill Cullen, Chief Executive of HBBC and Chair of the boroughs Employment & Skills Taskforce said “This scheme represents a significant investment in the local economy and our team has worked closely with Pall-Ex and its partners to secure this positive outcome, boosting local job opportunities and investment in local infrastructure and environment”.

Barberry has a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of more than £600 million and a growing income-producing commercial portfolio, delivering sustainable returns. The company also has 515 acres of strategically located residential and employment development land, capable of delivering 3,500 new homes including, a 288 Build-to-rent (BTR) apartment scheme in the heart of Coventry city centre.

For more information about Pall-Ex's Centre of Excellence, visit: https://www.pallex.co.uk/coe?utm_content=393738470&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin&hss_channel=lcp-461669