Goodman to Build 45,000 sqm Facility for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles in Hanover, Germany

BRUSSELS, November 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Goodman Group (Goodman) has signed a major pre-committed development in Germany with Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles on a new built-to-suit production facility in Hanover. The external supply centre has an area of approximately 45,000 sqm and will incorporate just-in-time supply for the production of the Amarok, one of Volkswagen's commercial vehicles.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111115/HK02201)

The announcement confirms Goodman's position as the market leader in the development and management of logistics facilities in Germany.

"Goodman has a strong track record in the development of logistics facilities for the automotive industry, which we have demonstrated through projects in recent months that include BMW in Leipzig, Mercedes-Benz in Malsch. We are delighted to have been selected by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as their project partner and with the confidence placed in us and our proven experience in delivering quality logistics space for our customers. We also hope to be more involved in the Hanover region of Germany in the future," said Danny Peeters, CEO Goodman Continental Europe.

For the current project, Goodman acquired a total area of 83,000 sqm in the "Schwarze Heide" (Black Heath) commercial area of Hanover, near Volkswagen's commercial vehicle production facility. The site has convenient links to the A2 and A352 as well as to Hanover Airport and the Nordhafen port in Hanover.

The new building offers approximately 45,000 sqm of undercover storage area. Volkswagen will use 30,000 sqm of this space as storage for the just-in-time supply in the Amarok production. The remaining 15,000 sqm will be built completely around the warehouse, as a U-shaped refrigerated storage area and loading tunnel. Trucks can be loaded and unloaded in the tunnel with lower emissions. In addition, a 500 metre green noise barrier will be constructed to combat emissions and noise, and will shield the building to the north.

Construction commenced in early September, and the first unit of approximately 10,000 sqm will be handed over at the start of January 2012. "The City welcomes the Goodman's development for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. It means we will achieve exactly what was planned for the 'Schwarze Heide' commercial area, namely the establishment of a supply industry and logistics hub," said Hans Monninghoff, Head of the Economy Department of the City of Hanover, Germany.

Goodman has included a number of sustainable features in the development, and will seek a certification rating from the German society for sustainable construction (DGNB).

About Goodman

Goodman is an integrated property group that owns, develops and manages logistics and business space across Continental Europe, the United Kingdom and the Asia-Pacific region. The Group invests in business parks, office parks, industrial estates and warehouse and distribution centres.

Goodman also offers a range of listed and unlisted property funds, giving investors access to a range of specialist services and property assets, and is working continually to build value in industrial property and fund management, with innovative new developments, and business and investment offerings.

With total assets under management of euro 13.3 billion and over 386 properties under management, Goodman is the largest industrial listed property group on the Australian Stock Exchange, and one of the largest listed specialist fund managers globally. Its market insight and dedicated local teams create sound investment opportunities and develop properties and environments that meet each client's individual requirements.  

With more than 820 staff and 32 offices in 16 countries, Goodman has the global reach to meet customers' needs as their businesses expand or evolve. In Europe, Goodman has offices in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Spain, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia and the UK.

For more information please visit: http://www.goodman.com

For further information, please contact Goodman:
Majella O Doherty
Communications Manager
+32-2-263-4068
Majella.odoherty@goodman.com