Logistics developments to serve SA

Logistics developments to serve SA

The JSE-listed Fortress Income Fund, which focuses on development of prime logistic warehousing, retail centres and strategic offshore investments, has launched the R650-million Louwlardia Logistics Park alongside the N1 in Centurion.

Louwlardia, which will see approximately 90 000 m2 of warehousing developed on the 16,7-hectare site, is expected to be completed within the next 24 months. The first phase, which comprises a 21 785 m2 warehouse with 1 843 m2 offices, is complete and ready for occupancy.

Executive director Andrew Teixeira says that Louwlardia was part of the one-million square metres of warehousing that is due to be developed by Fortress over the next five years at a combined investment of an estimated R8 billion.

National leasing manager, Grant Lewington, says that Louwlardia is an example of the Grade-A logistics facilities that the fund is developing in three major nodes – Gauteng, Cape Town and Durban.

“South Africa’s economy is transport intensive and imports destined for South Africa as well as neighbouring countries are expected to grow. Logistics is one of the fastest growing service sectors in the economy, ensuring a strong income stream for the fund going forward.

“With properties that offer high-tech design that includes the likes of solar and natural light to reduce power consumption, strategic locations that make for more efficient distribution, and properties that provide easy access and better turnaround times, we are effectively lowering the cost per pallet,” he explains.

The newly launched warehouse at Louwlardia has a height of 13,5 m to the underside of the eaves, which offers efficiencies of scale, and an FM2 floor, which provides a solid platform for the erection of racking and easy movement of mechanised machinery.

It also provides a secure park environment with 24-hour security, a central gate, an electric fence and a fire system with central pumps and tanks that will serve the entire park. 

Green building best practice is incorporated via features such as fully irrigated, low-maintenance indigenous landscaping and buildings that can accommodate photovoltaic cells for the production of electricity.

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FOCUS on Transport and Logistics is the oldest and most respected transport and logistics publication in southern Africa.
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