Premier Farnell, the Development Distributor, announces a further key milestone in the construction of its new state-of-the-art distribution centre in Leeds, United Kingdom.

Ten months after ground was broken on the new site, Muse Developments handed the keys to the building over to the company at the end of February.

Nick Wilkins, SVP Global Logistics, Avnet (including Premier Farnell) said “This is a true milestone in the growth of the Premier Farnell business. We have a great team of motivated and dedicated people working on the project behind the scenes – from those onsite who have literally moved mountains of earth to make this happen, to those who’ve constructed the building. We are now focussed on creating a complex network of systems, technology and machinery inside the facility which will become the epicentre of our future business. This work is being undertaken in partnership with SSI Schaefer.”

Construction work commenced on the high-quality 362,000 sq. ft. distribution unit at Muse Developments’ flagship Logic Leeds site in February 2018. The distribution centre project, which will be the largest ever pre-let warehouse development in Leeds is expected to be fully operational by early 2020.

James Scott, Development Director with national urban regeneration specialists, Muse Developments, said: “We have worked hard with Premier Farnell to deliver its state-of-the-art distribution unit and are incredibly proud of what has been achieved. This is another significant milestone in the successful Logic Leeds story and it is exciting to celebrate the official opening of the building with such a prestigious tenant.”

Premier Farnell’s building will be situated alongside a number of other high-profile occupiers, including Amazon and John Lewis Partnership.

Premier Farnell operates as Farnell in EMEA, Newark in North America and element14 in Asia Pacific.

Construction work commenced on the high-quality 361,000 sq ft distribution unit at Muse Developments’ flagship Logic Leeds site on 29 March. The distribution centre project, which will be the largest ever warehouse development in Leeds, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The main contractor is Derbyshire-based Bowmer and Kirkland and the site is expected to be fully operational by late 2019/early 2020.

At the heart of the fully integrated solution to be provided by SSI Schaefer is the highly efficient Navette Matrix System, which operates alongside vertical lift storage machines and conveyors backed up by conventional shelving and pallet storage. All elements of the solution will be controlled by SSI Schaefer’s WAMAS warehouse management system and processes have been designed to consider the nature of the product and the current regulations governing its handling and storage.

Nick Wilkins, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Premier Farnell said, “This contract with SSI Schaefer is a key milestone in the delivery of a modern warehouse for the Premier Farnell group, positioning the business for future growth. Our success is based on fulfilling market leading delivery promises. In partnering with SSI Schaefer we will continue to provide that service, supply our network of eight other warehouses across the globe, and develop core value-adding services for our customers right from our warehouse operations. We are very pleased to be working with SSI Schaefer.”

SSI Schaefer’s Managing Director, Jaap Vos stated, “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Premier Farnell. Delivering an advanced system to enhance and support their operation creates the opportunity to continue to develop solutions ahead of anticipated future requirements.”

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Work has now started on site for Premier Farnell’s high-quality 361,000 sq ft distribution unit at Muse Developments’ flagship Logic Leeds site.

A special turf-cutting ceremony was held on March 29 at Logic Leeds to celebrate the start of construction work on the state-of-the-art distribution hub. The warehouse build, which will be the largest ever warehouse development in Leeds, is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. The main contractor is Derbyshire-based Bowmer and Kirkland.

The ceremony was attended by directors of Premier Farnell and Muse. Councillor Richard Lewis of Leeds City Council and Roger Marsh, Chairman of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) were also present along with senior officers from the city council.

Nick Wilkins, Chief Supply Chain Officer for Premier Farnell stated: “The start of the warehouse build is a key milestone in this project and an important occasion for Premier Farnell. This warehouse will become the largest distribution centre in the Premier Farnell group and a hub for future growth, allowing us to target new opportunities from right here in Leeds. As our business grows and we take our place within the Avnet ecosystem, increased distribution capacity coupled with the latest technology means our customers can continue to rely on us to deliver products when they need them. This is a significant investment for Premier Farnell and we are delighted to be continuing our long-established presence in Yorkshire as we look forward to the future.”

James Scott, Development Director with national developer and regeneration specialist Muse, commented: “This is another significant milestone in the successful Logic Leeds story and it is exciting to be able to celebrate the start of work on site for such a prestigious tenant. Premier Farnell is a worldwide player in the electronics distribution industry and its decision to come to Logic Leeds is a testament to the qualities of our development. Premier Farnell’s building is going to be an important addition to a site which already boasts a number of other high-profile occupiers, including Amazon and John Lewis Partnership.

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning commented: “It is great news that Premier Farnell is remaining in Leeds, protecting hundreds of jobs that could otherwise have been lost from the city. The Council has worked hard with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to retain the company in the city, and are pleased that they have decided to make such a substantial investment giving a strong platform from which to grow their business moving forward.”

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership commented: “We are delighted that Premier Farnell will enhance their high service distribution of technology products and solutions from what will be the largest ever warehouse development in Leeds. Our key industrial sectors are changing rapidly and the ability to embrace and adopt fast emerging digital technology and the Internet of Things, whereby computing devices are embedded in everyday objects to send and receive data, will improve our productivity and define our future economic identity.

“This decision means Premier Farnell – a global tech leader - can sit at the heart of this opportunity and pioneer this strategy from Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone,” he added.

The marketing agents for Logic Leeds are the Leeds offices of Carter Towler and Knight Frank. Cushman and Wakefield acted for Premier Farnell.

Photo 16 caption: Nick Wilkins, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Premier Farnell, Councillor Lewis and Roger Marsh from the LEP, Peter Birks, Business President, Farnell element14.

Premier Farnell, the technology distributor, today announces investment in a 360,000 sq foot warehouse at Muse Development’s Logic Leeds, within a Leeds City Council Enterprise Zone, retaining £650m in revenue and jobs in the Yorkshire region.

The site, based off junction 45 of the M1, will stock over 420,000 products within the 360,000 sq foot facility and has the potential for up to one million square feet of distribution capacity as the business continues to respond to market growth opportunities.

Graham McBeth, President of Premier Farnell said; “This is a significant investment in a modern, automated warehouse, made possible by the opportunities for growth in the market and the support of our American parent company, Avnet. I am delighted that we are retaining our presence in Leeds.

Nick Wilkins, Chief Supply Chain Officer, Premier Farnell added; “Premier Farnell has a strong history in the Leeds area and we have great confidence in the Yorkshire workforce. This new warehouse, with great transport links, retains jobs in the region and will allow us to grow to support market demand.”

Logic Leeds sits within one of the Leeds City region Enterprise Zones which is supported by Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Leeds City Council, the Department of Communities and Local Government. Muse Developments has partnered up with Sheffield based Bowmer and Kirkland to build the state-of-the-art distribution warehouse. Works commenced in early February 2018, with completion scheduled for the end of the year. The site is expected to be operational by late 2019 / early 2020.

Roger Marsh OBE, Chair of Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) said: “We are delighted that Premier Farnell will enhance their high service distribution of technology products and solutions from what will be the largest ever warehouse development in Leeds. Our key industrial sectors are changing rapidly and the ability to embrace and adopt fast emerging digital technology and the Internet of Things, whereby computing devices are embedded in everyday objects to send and receive data, will improve our productivity and define our future economic identity. This decision means Premier Farnell – a global tech leader - can sit at the heart of this opportunity and pioneer this strategy from Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone.”

Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council Executive Member for Regeneration, Transport and Planning commented: “It is great news that Premier Farnell is remaining in Leeds, protecting hundreds of jobs that could otherwise have been lost from the city. The Council has worked hard with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to retain the company in the city, and are pleased that they have decided to make such a substantial investment giving a strong platform from which to grow their business moving forward.”

James Scott, Development Director at Muse, commented: “This is fantastic news and another significant milestone in the Logic Leeds story. The decision by Premier Farnell, a worldwide player in the electronics distribution industry, to come to Logic Leeds is testament to the qualities of our development.”

Premier Farnell’s existing warehouse is in Armley, Leeds, with an additional overflow stocking facility located nearby. In the last 12 months Premier Farnell has invested more than £60m in additional inventory across the globe, instigating a Europe-wide search for a new warehouse facility to support demand. Premier Farnell is now working with Leeds City Council and the Local Planning Authority to agree the future of the existing warehouse building and to develop transport solutions for employees moving to the new site.

Premier Farnell operates as Farnell element14 in the UK and Europe.