Gennevilliers (92): VAILOG (SEGRO Group) & IKEA inaugurate Paris Air² Logistique, a 63,000 m² double-storey urban distribution platform
It was in the presence of Philippe Monneret, Distribution Operation Manager, Distribution Service IKEA France, Catherine Rivoallon, President of the HAROPA Ports de Paris Board of Directors, Patrice Leclerc, Mayor of Gennevilliers and Éric Véron, General Manager VAILOG (SEGRO Group ), that the new double-decker urban distribution platform in Gennevilliers is inaugurated today in Gennevilliers.
Developed by VAILOG (SEGRO Group), on two floors, this new generation distribution platform hosts the new IKEA France Customer Distribution Center over 50,000 m2 as well as Leroy Merlin (13,000 m2) and is already establishing itself as the European benchmark for urban distribution.
At the heart of the port of Gennevilliers, a unique multimodal site
In 2013, in partnership with HAROPA - Ports of Paris, VAILOG (SEGRO Group) identified the last large site available in the Port of Gennevilliers. Called Paris Air2 Logistique, it is the only site of such a size near Paris, thus becoming the flagship project for urban distribution in Paris for the next few years. Its anchorage in the Port of Gennevilliers gives it access to the river, rail and road infrastructures of the port. Thus, Paris Air2 Logistique benefits from excellent accessibility, both for the employees of the companies on site and for their activities. As part of an exclusive mandate given by VAILOG, CBRE supported IKEA France's logistics real estate project.
Better accessibility for faster deliveries
For the IKEA France brand, the Gennevilliers Customer Distribution Center (CDC) is the ideal site to strengthen its presence at the gates of Paris and develop its business. It is fully in line with its multi-channel strategy.
The Gennevilliers CDC will be essential to the operation of the IKEA Paris La Madeleine store. 2,000 m3 of storage (out of the 24,000 m3 in total) will be dedicated to stock in this store. It will be replenished daily from the depot and will be provided, by 2020, by zero-emission vehicles.
Thanks to the additional capacities, the depot makes it possible to offer more delivery slots to customers to adapt to their pace and their needs. It also makes it possible to optimize delivery times for Parisian and western Ile-de-France customers who place an order in store or online.
The operation of the platform (reception, storage, order preparation) is provided by XPO Logistics, which plans to recruit a team of more than 100 people by the end of the first half of 2019. The carriers, VIR and Trusk, are spread over the two floors of the building. VIR plans to eventually create around 150 jobs on this site, and Trusk around fifty.
Exemplary environmental performance
The Paris Air2 Logistique platform benefits from the most advanced ecological qualities in the sector, which allows for BREEAM “Excellent” certification upon entry into service. This environmental performance of the building is a criterion of choice for IKEA France, which is committed on a daily basis to reducing the impact of its activity on the environment.
IKEA France is investing to equip the site with charging stations for electric vehicles to ensure zero-emission deliveries by August 2020. In addition, the proximity of the Seine will eventually make it possible to develop the river transport of goods, in order to supply Paris.
The challenges of urban distribution
“We are proud today to inaugurate this latest generation urban distribution platform. In order to meet the requirements of IKEA France, we were keen to develop a modern and innovative distribution platform, adapted to their distribution strategy, requiring speed, mobility and proximity” says Eric Véron, General Manager of VAILOG .
For several years, SEGRO has welcomed and supported major distribution players by offering XXL logistics platforms, business parks and buildings for urban distribution.
"In the context of Greater Paris, the growing demand for proximity to the capital and new uses resulting from e-commerce, Paris Air2 Logistique is a perfect illustration of our ability to meet the needs of our customers and support them in this development", concludes Marco Simonetti, Managing Director of SEGRO Southern Europe.