Japanese cold store operator seeks approval for UK HQ and logistics centre
Japanese cold store operator Thermotraffic is seeking planning approval for a new UK HQ and cold store distribution centre in Nottinghamshire.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
THE INTERNATIONAL firm has submitted plans for a 299,075 ft2 facility on a circa 14-acre site at Overfield Park, Newark.
The building will assist with Thermotraffic’s expansion plans and will consolidate its current UK capacity in to a single new ‘best in class’, sustainable operating facility. The Project is hoped to be one of a new network of centres within their business and will be their UK Headquarters.
The aim is to provide a ‘High Tech’ facility, utilising best practice in Automation, Refrigeration and Sustainability; maximising operational performance, minimising food waste and ensuring Food Security in the supply chain. It will include temperature controlled storage both highbay where the ambient temperature will be -25°C, as well as and standard height space for secondary functions with plant and office/amenity spaces included. There will also be balst freezer space.
The Site is located at Godfrey Drive, accessed off the A17, in Winthorpe Newark. According to planning documents the proposed development is set to replace the “no longer fit for purpose” leased unit which “does not match their aspirations for premises ownership going forward”.
The new facility is expected to create 125 new jobs and pump more than £60 million of investment into the area.
Thermotraffic is a subsidiary of the Nichirei Corporation. The Nichirei Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, was formed in 1945 and is one of Japan’s top producers of frozen foods and a global leader in cold storage warehousing.
Thermotraffic UK formed as a forwarding business through the purchase of Kevin Hancock Ltd, specializing in shipping and forwarding food from all over the world. The company handles temperature-controlled logistics as well as speciality added value processes for their customers/retailors. It also handles export and imports of food products.
The site in Newark is the most northerly location in the UK for Thermotra3ic and therefore provides valuable access to this area of the country. The strategic location of the application site within the highways network provides excellent access to the A1 with its connection north and south from Newark and then the A17 and A46 providing regional connectivity from the site. Including the A46 providing a link east to the Humber Ports (one of the reasons for the A46 works is related to providing better links to Immingham and the Ports).
