© Copyright NREP 2023 All rights reserved.
Logicenters is continuing its journey of continued growth. The company is in the process of developing a total of 740,000 m2 in five different countries, and ahead of the autumn, the logistics real estate operator is building further by strengthening its team with nine recruitments.
Logicenters is the leading developer of modern logistics properties and has a presence in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Poland and Finland. The logistics property company currently has almost two million square metres of logistics space under development, with long-term visions of further expansion.
Approaching the autumn, the company has announced its investment in continued strong growth with the recruitment of nine new people. The need to strengthen the team has arisen as more and more projects are close to completion but where 740,000 m2 is still under development.
“After a wonderful and much-needed summer break, it’s time for us at Logicenters to aim for greater heights. I am very happy and proud to be able to welcome our new employees who will be of great help during our continued journey of growth. This major investment will really drive the business forward,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, CEO at Logicenters.
Logicenters’ new colleagues for the autumn
Asset manager
Johanna Hollgren, Sweden
Gustav Olofsson, Sweden
Transaktion
Lucas K. Olsen, Denmark
Gustav Bergquist, Sweden
Aleksandra Slowinska, Poland
Development
David Flach, Denmark
Vegard Karlsen, Norway
Victor Lindholm, Sweden
Caroline Vilhemsson, BREEAM admin, Sweden
For the fourth year in a row, Logicenters has won the Real Estate Brand Award. At the prestigious gala in Berlin, the company was awarded first prize in the “Nordic Developers Logistics” category, the prize for the strongest brand among developers of logistics properties in the Nordic region.
More than 1,500 brands from a total of 45 markets were in competition for the Real Estate Brand Award, the prestigious prize presented every year. This year’s gala was held on Tuesday evening in Berlin and among the Nordic brands in the “Nordic Developers Logistics” segment, Logicenters won the diamond-shaped award for the fourth year in a row.
“We are incredibly proud and delighted by this. Winning this award for the fourth year in a row is really a testament to the fact that our significant investment in solar energy, high sustainability standards and customised solutions is really paying off. It is very gratifying that we are continuing to attract attention in international circles,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, CEO at Logicenters.
The competition is based on a survey conducted annually since 2009 by the European Real Estate Brand Institute, a platform for evaluating brands within the real estate industry. In total, more than 125,000 industry experts have participated in evaluating the winners based on different brand value models. Their valuations are then aggregated into an index, Brand Value, which forms the basis of the awards.
The logistics property company is continuing to expand its presence in Norway. Logicenters has now announced that it has acquired a 70,000 m2 site from Skolt. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023 and the entire developed logistics park is scheduled for completion in 2025.
Logicenters has acquired a site on speculation in Moss, Norway. During the first quarter of 2022, Logicenters will start preparing the land, which is expected to be ready for construction in the fourth quarter of 2022. To begin with, a building will be constructed on the site which will later become part of a developed logistics park. Construction of the planned property will begin in the first quarter of 2023. The entire logistics park is scheduled to be fully developed during 2025.
The logistics property company is in dialogue with several exciting companies, for whom Logicenters wants to develop facilities at the new logistics park in Moss.
“We are delighted to have secured this site in Moss. The area has seen strong growth in recent years and we can see that development in Moss is off to a good start. With tenants in the area such as Greencarrier, Europris, HelloFresh, Onna Greens, Altus Logisitics, Etac and Rockwoll, Moss logistics park has been on the map for major logistics companies for some time. Moss also has a good supply of labour, which we are finding is becoming increasingly important to logistics companies. The park is also located right next to the port of Moss and its dry dock. So there are great opportunities to move goods in and out of the country easily using containers and ships that are more environmentally friendly than heavy transport. Our ambition is to develop a state-of-the-art property with a strong focus on the environment, sustainability and energy efficiency. We are currently looking for major tenants who focus on the same factors as us. We would like to thank Skolt for a smooth process and look forward to further cooperation in the preparation of the park,” says Ruben Krantz, Commercial Manager at Logicenters.
The logistics park in Moss is strategically located close to Oslo, Moss Airport and Rygge.
“I would like to thank Logicenters for a very professional and smooth process. I look forward to continued great collaboration in the future,” says Karsten F. Hansen, CEO at Skolt.
Logicenters is now expanding its presence outside the Nordic region with its first venture in Poland. As a leading logistics property company in the Nordic region, Logicenters is now looking to bring its successful concept to one of Europe’s largest logistics markets, focusing strongly on the long term, quality, flexibility, and sustainability.
Logicenters is continuing its expansion. The logistics facility operator is now expanding its successful logistics concept into Europe, with Poland its first target market outside the Nordic region. Poland is the fifth largest logistics property market in Europe and is also one of the fastest growing markets on the continent. In 2019, a total of 2.7 million m2 of logistics space was developed in the country. In comparison, around 650,000 m2 of logistics space was developed in Sweden – the largest market in the Nordic region – during the same period. From a geographical perspective, Poland is also ideal with good communications throughout the country, to the Nordic region and the rest of Europe.
As a first step, Logicenters has acquired the Polish company BIK SA and its current portfolio, which includes four existing properties with two potential extensions, as well as a plot of land – with the total logistics space estimated to be more than 115,000 m2. The facilities are located in the cities of Wroclaw and Katowice in southern Poland. With its high population density and large clusters of factories, the region is a strategically important location for logistics.
“We have developed our Nordic portfolio exponentially in recent years and our ambition is to continue to strengthen our presence here. But we also see Poland as a natural step forward in Logicenters’ development. This is partly because the Polish logistics market is still in its infancy and we believe there is enormous potential for us to assist in developing the logistics facilities of tomorrow in the country, and partly because many of our existing tenants already have operations in Poland. Naturally, we want to continue to support them by growing in line with their operations in both the Nordic region and Poland, something which is entirely in line with how we operate”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, CEO, Logicenters.
Focus on sustainability
Compared with many other parts of the world, the Nordic logistics market is ahead of the pack when it comes to sustainable logistics. Therefore, as it moves into the European market, Logicenters sees it as a natural step to bring its Nordic sustainability agenda along with it. And as always, the facilities will also meet high sustainability and energy efficiency requirements in Poland.
“We want to be able to develop the properties of tomorrow in such a way that they remain of a high quality for many years to come. Key to this is the development of sustainable facilities that are not only durable, sustainable and energy efficient, but also cost effective over time. We are already experiencing a high demand for more sustainable logistics, with many of our tenants requiring that the properties in which they operate meet high sustainability standards. And just as we have been leading the way towards a more sustainable transition in the Nordic logistics industry, we will also be sure to pave the way for more sustainable logistics in Poland. This is something we are convinced will benefit both business and the environment”, concludes Matthias Kettelhoit, CEO, Logicenters.
With the ambition to switch to 100 percent renewable electricity in its operations before 2025, Logicenters is now ramping up its efforts by installing solar panels on six more of its facilities. This means that Logicenters will be doubling the number of solar plants compared to today. It is estimated that the solar panels will generate a total of 9 gigawatt hours of electricity annually.
Logicenters has recently signed an agreement to install solar plants at six of its facilities across the Nordic region. Logicenters currently has solar plants on seven of its properties. With the installations now being carried out, Logicenters will be doubling the number of solar plants installed on its facilities. It is estimated that the solar cells will have a total capacity of up to 10,000 kWp and will produce 9 gigawatt hours of electricity on an annual basis. This is equivalent to the energy required to supply 1,800 homes with electricity for an entire year.
For example, Logicenters and its tenant Speed Group are currently installing the Nordic region’s largest rooftop solar plant in Borås, Sweden. At this property alone, the solar cells cover a roof area of 60,000 m2 and have a capacity of 5,000 kWp.
“We are very pleased to be managing this sustainable transition in the logistics industry. It is of the utmost priority to us that we reduce our climate footprint as much as possible while simultaneously securing the future energy needs of our tenants. By installing solar cells on our roofs, we can also utilise very large areas not normally in use, instead of taking up land that may be better suited for other things”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
As the leading developer and owner of modern logistics facilities in the Nordic region, Logicenters also wants to manage the transition to renewable energy within the logistics industry. Through NREP, Logicenters has become affiliated with RE100, a global coalition of companies committed to renewable energy. Consequently, Logicenters is undertaking to switch to using 100 percent renewable electricity throughout the company’s property portfolio before 2025.
“Solar cells are just one part of our comprehensive sustainability work. We are also maintaining an ongoing dialogue with our tenants regarding the implementation of energy efficiency measures that will also mean significant potential savings for them,” says Karin Sjövall, Head of Sustainability at Logicenters.
Logicenters is beginning 2021 with increasing of pace and strengthening the development team through key recruitment. The logistics property company has recruited Sanna Vikström in the role of Development Manager for Logicenters in Finland. Sanna has substantial experience in project development, having most recently worked as a construction project director at Sitowise Oy. Logicenters has also recruited for several posts to the Swedish office.
Logicenters has high ambitions and is kick-starting 2021 with key recruitment. During the past year, Logicenters in Finland has implemented new developments in Kurikantie, Pirkkala, and now has a number of projects in the start-up phase. In order to support the high rate of growth, the logistics property company has recruited Sanna Vikström as Development Manager in Finland. Sanna has a wide range of experience in project development, having most recently worked as a construction project director at Sitowise Oy. She will now become a key member of Logicenters’ team, continuing to promote the investments in Finland.
“The demand for modern logistics properties are growing and we are constantly looking for experienced people to join us. This is why Sanna is a very valuable recruit. With her extensive experience in project development, she will form an important piece of the puzzle in our future expansion. I would therefore like to warmly welcome Sanna and I look forward to working with her to take Logicenters forward,” says Eva Sterner, Head of Development at Logicenters.
Sanna will be responsible for Logicenters’ development team in Finland. This covers everything from dialogues with the municipalities regarding local management plans and building permits, identifying land for potential new development projects to being responsible for procurement. An important part of the work will also involve maintaining an active dialogue with Logicenters’ tenants.
“Joining such a successful and leading company as Logicenters is something I am very pleased and proud of. Logicenters’ expansive development is an indication that it is an ambitious company that is rapidly expanding its market share and growing. I am therefore very much looking forward to working with my new team to continue promoting Logicenters’ project development,” says Sanna Vikström, Development Manager, Logicenters Finland.
In addition to Sanna in Finland, Logicenters has also made three other important recruitments in Sweden, which is also a rapidly growing market. Rebecca Axelsson joins the Swedish office as an architect together with Peter Zekovic and Johan Bäcklund, who will both be assistant project managers.
Construction of Logicenters’ solar plant now under way:
With an area of 60,000 m2 and capacity of 5 megawatts, the solar plant in Borås is the largest ever installed on a rooftop in the Nordic region. Behind the investment is real estate investor NREP through its logistics arm, Logicenters, and tenant Speed Group. Solkompaniet has been commissioned to erect the plant and installation of the solar cells has now begun. In addition to meeting the property’s electricity needs, it is estimated that the plant will contribute with 2.6 million kilowatt hours of solar electricity to the grid. The rooftop plant will be by far the largest in Sweden.
According to the Swedish Energy Agency’s statistics, only one solar plant with a capacity of more than 1 megawatt was built in Sweden in 2019. Said plant was built on the ground and has a capacity of 1.5 megawatts. A plant is now being developed which is more than three times this size – the largest rooftop solar plant in the Nordic region. In order to push the transition to renewable energy, Logicenters – the real estate investor NREP’s logistics branch – and its tenant Speed Group are using the rooftop of the 83,000 m2 logistics facility in Viared, outside Borås. It is estimated that the solar cells can produce 4 million kilowatt hours annually, which is equivalent to the annual electricity demand for 1,800 all-electric cars.
“The roofs of large logistics facilities are the ideal location for installing solar plants. Therefore, it feels important that, as developers and owners of logistics properties, we are at the forefront of solar electricity production on our rooftops. We have a number of ambitious sustainability goals, one of which is to operate all our properties using renewable energy. And the demand for solar electricity is high from both companies and individuals – something which we can now fulfill. This facility will meet the tenant’s electricity needs on an annual basis, contribute more renewable electricity to the grid for the inhabitants of Borås to use and can save the environment up to 2,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters at NREP.
During 2020, electricity prices have been 40 percent higher in central Sweden than in northern Sweden. It shows very clearly that we have a lack of transmission capacity and too little electricity generation south of the Dalälven river. This means that solar electricity, when it is developed on both roofs and in solar parks, can make an important contribution to the demand for electricity during the summer months in central and southern Sweden.
“The large solar plant will help to meet the increased electricity demand for electricity in southern Sweden with locally produced renewable electricity. An important contribution to the transition to a completely renewable electricity system”, says Johan Öhnell, chairman of Solkompaniet, which will build the plant during the autumn.
The energy tax – an obstacle to widespread solar production
There is great potential to produce solar energy in Sweden. At the same time, current energy taxes penalise those installing large solar plants. Companies generating solar power on their properties are taxed on the electricity they generate when a solar plant exceeds the power limit of 255 kilowatts. The government has recently proposed raising the limit to 500 kilowatts, but the Borås plant is ten times that size. The companies behind the solar plant in Borås have the capacity to contribute electricity from renewable energy sources – but are calling on the government to rethink and remove the limit altogether.
“NREP has a total of 2.5 million square metres of real estate in the Nordic region and is continuing to make climate investments such as solar cell installations on a number of rooftops. But the government has a heavy responsibility in expanding the financial incentives for this type of venture. An energy tax on self-generated solar electricity, used partly by the company itself and partly contributing renewable electricity to the electricity grid, is not the right way to go. We have a number of ambitious sustainability goals, one of which is to operate all our properties using renewable energy, but there must be an increased cooperation between various players in the community“, says Stefan Wallander, CEO of NREP in Sweden.
“Our major customers demand an action plan from Speed Group, in order to contribute to the goal of a maximum increase in global warning of 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement. The installation of the solar plant is our single greatest step towards meeting our customers’ high sustainability requirements,” says Mats Johnson, CEO of Speed Group.
Logicenters is experiencing a strong expansion phase and is in the process of strengthening its team significantly. To support the logistics property company’s continued growth and ambitious goals, Logicenters has acquired six new employees. These include a Sustainability Manager in order to further strengthen Logicenters’ work on sustainability.
Logicenters is today the leading developer and long-term owner of modern and sustainable logistics properties in the Nordic region. Over the past decade, Logicenters has been the most active developer of logistics properties with more than 25 completed projects and over 600,000 square metres of logistics space. Logicenters is now a Nordic team with offices in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.
The flourishing e-commerce sector over recent years is just one of the reasons why Logicenters has enjoyed a continued increase in its real estate holdings and strong organisational growth. In order to keep pace with this rate of growth, Logicenters is now reinforcing its team by adding a number of new positions. This includes two new Commercial Managers – Ruben Krantz in Norway and Fredrik Nygren in Sweden.
Logicenters, who are connected to RE100 through NREP, also has high sustainability goals and are working continuously to make its properties more energy efficient. For example, earlier this year, construction began on what will be the Nordic region’s largest rooftop solar cell plant, in terms of both area and capacity. With the aim to further strengthen NREPs work on sustainability, Logicenters has now recruited Karin Sjövall in the role of Sustainability Manager, with a main focus on logistics properties. Karin most recently worked at Nordic Property Management as a Project Sustainability Manager.
“It feels really great to team up with even more smart, driven and engaging people who understand what our customers value. I am absolutely positive that our new colleagues will contribute to our continued growth and help to ensure that our high business goals are achieved. Together, we will continue to develop and manage the Nordic region’s most modern and sustainable logistics properties. And we will take Logicenters to the next level”, says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Logicenters has also recruited Andreas Luczak as a Transactions Associate, Erik Karlsson as a Business Analyst and Kalle Nurmos as an Asset Manager. In addition, the logistics property company is currently looking into further recruitments in order to support its rate of growth.
Logicenters is scaling up in Norway by strengthening its team with a key hire to support its future growth. The logistics property provider has recruited Ruben Krantz as Commercial Manager for Logicenters in Norway. Krantz has substantial experience in the logistics industry, most recently as Director of Business Development at Colliers.
Logicenters is expanding significantly in Norway. Through both land acquisitions and new developments in Vestby, just outside Oslo, the logistics property company has expanded its presence in Norway substantially in 2020. In order to support future growth and as part of its continued investment, the company has recruited a Commercial Manager for Logicenters in Norway, Ruben Krantz, who will be responsible for the continued business development in Norway.
“We are delighted with this appointment. Ruben has valuable experience of the industry, a wide network of connections and a good understanding of what our customers need. Logicenters is in a strong growth phase and Ruben will have an important part to play in the company’s future investment in Norway. I would like to warmly welcome Ruben to our team and I look forward to working together onwards,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
Ruben Krantz has substantial experience and understanding of logistics in Norway. His most recent position was as Director of Business Development at Colliers and prior to that as Business Developer at Malling & Co Markets. He will now become a key person in Logicenters’ team where he will be managing the logistics property provider’s future investments in Norway.
“Joining such a successful and ambitious brand such as Logicenters is something I am very proud of and humbled by. My goal is to support Logicenters growth to being the leading logistics property provider in Norway and I look forward to developing the business further in collaboration with my new team,” says Ruben Krantz.
Logicenters has now, for the second year in a row, won first prize in the Real Estate Brand Award competition, which was announced at the end of last week. The competition ranks more than 1 000 brands within the European real estate industry. In the category “Nordic Developers Logistics”, the award for the strongest brand among developers of logistics properties went to Logicenters in first place.
The Real Estate Brand Awards was arranged for the twelfth year in succession this year. The participating brands compete in various industry-specific categories, with one category consisting of Nordic region brands. Among the Nordic brands in the segment “Nordic Developers Logistics”, Logicenters is ranked as the strongest brand among developers of logistics properties.
The value of all of the factors that companies are ranked by is totalled to a weighted index, the Brand Value. Logicenters achieved a Brand Value score of as high as 90.03, with 100 being the highest value.
“We are very happy to once again have won this award, which is an acknowledgement that all our hard and careful work has been noticed in international circles. Modern logistics properties that are developed with a great sustainability focus by a tight-knit and competent team is our recipe for success, and every one of us at Logicenters should take credit for this achievement. We would also like to thank the European Real Estate Brand Institute for the prestigious award,” says Matthias Kettelhoit, Head of Logicenters.
The survey is largest of its type and is made up of a survey, in which more than 109 000 industry experts are asked about the more than 1 000 participating real estate brands.
For additional information regarding the award:
https://www.reb.institute/de/rankings2020/nordics/developers-logistsics/
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