Screwfix is to take a 562,000 sq ft purpose-built Staffordshire warehouse at Prologis Park Fradley.
The deal with US giant Prologis and its joint venture partner Wittington Investments (Developments) Limited will see the £52.7m development forward-funded by a subsidiary of Tritax Big Box REIT plc.
The Kingfisher subsidiary is expanding its distribution base to meet the needs of its growing store network. Prologis Park Fradley is in an established industrial area, next to the A38 north of Lichfield and close to the M42, M6, M6 Toll and M1 motorways.
Martin Lee, Supply Chain, Logistics and IT Director at Screwfix, said: “Adding one store per week to our network means we need to make sure we have the stock distribution in place.”
“We will initially be recruiting 200 new warehouse colleagues and drivers and the number of roles required will grow to 700 to support its growth plan, representing a significant employment opportunity for the local community.”
Construction will begin this month with completion expected in autumn 2017.
“Prologis has a strong relationship with Screwfix, so we are delighted to be working with the company again to expand its operations in the West Midlands,” said Andrew Griffiths, managing director, Prologis UK. “Prologis Park Fradley is one of the few remaining locations in the region that can accommodate a building of this size because of the shortage of employment land in the West Midlands.”
Cushman & Wakefield acted for Screwfix, Prologis was represented by JLL, Savills and Harris Lamb, DTRE acted for Tritax Big Box REIT plc.
