Renovation time ! Rejuvenating your warehouse
Faced with the requirements of today, warehouses that are more than 20 or 30-years old struggle to meet the standards of modern logistics. Their main shortcomings include poor energy performance, a lack of automation, rigid configurations and outdated interior comfort. Indeed, logistics, the pulsating networks of our advanced economies, are often in need of enhancement.
In a context of land scarcity and growing environmental awareness, renovation is increasingly preferred to greenfield development. Faster, more sustainable and often cheaper than building from scratch, it’s an attractive alternative that addresses these contemporary challenges.
Renovating rather than rebuilding: a strategic choice
Warehouse renovation is a strategic solution that delivers multiple benefits. Time savings are a biggie. By bypassing building permit application procedures, renovation speeds up the administrative process. From the environmental perspective, this approach makes the most of existing structures and minimises waste. Financially speaking, it is usually the more cost-effective option. In short, renovation adapts your building to the requirements of contemporary logistics – including high-bay storage, automation, urban logistics and e-commerce – with the smallest impact on your schedule, your wallet and the planet.
A renovated warehouse will drive performance thanks to optimised flows, advanced technologies and space savings. It also enhances your corporate image, attracting customers and employees to its modern, pleasant working environment.
Smarter, more sustainable warehouses
These days, renovation projects focus on creating smarter, more sustainable warehouses. Key improvements include better insulation, LED lighting, low-carbon heating systems and solar panels. The result? Greener, more flexible assets that are ready for the future of logistics.
These days, renovation projects focus on creating smarter, more sustainable warehouses. Key improvements include better insulation, LED lighting, low-carbon heating systems and solar panels. The result? Greener, more flexible assets that are ready for the future of logistics.
Good to know: Nearly 70%[1] of a site’s CO₂ lifelong emissions are generated in the construction phase. By choosing renovation, this impact is significantly reduced. In addition, the integration of solar energy enables warehouses to cut up to 15%[2] off their energy operating costs.
“For every project, we track the 20 main sources of carbon emissions – from the earliest stages of design through to the building’s handover – to maximise the site’s efficiency.”
Céline Fontana, Director of Green Buildings at GSE.
“We have the know-how to rebuild using recyclable materials and to minimise the renovation’s carbon footprint, while preserving local wildlife.”
Caroline Adam, Green Buildings engineer at GSE.
A driver of business transformation
Renovating a warehouse is not just about restoring walls and roofs. It’s an opportunity to reshape the entire logistics chain. This transformation includes improved user-friendliness for workers, the introduction of robotisation and production machinery, and the optimisation of flows and costs.
Companies that choose this path can obtain significant benefits in terms of efficiency, brand image and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, a renovation project expresses a strong commitment, in line with current regulations and corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives. 53%[1] of the 100 largest companies in the industry have already committed to net zero emissions targets.
In addition, renovation brings another notable benefit: the appreciation of your real estate asset. Target yields are generally around 12%. Such a strategy can be deployed across multiple sites of your logistics asset portfolio.
You face obstacles, we offer solutions
Despite its benefits, renovation does have its challenges. The initial cost may be high and the operation can involve technical complexities – not least when you need your business to function as usual during the works. You will need support you can depend on.
This is where GSE comes in. With over ten years’ experience in renovation, GSE offers a turnkey solution as a single point of contact. This simplifies the entire process for the client. From feasibility studies to design, costing, regulatory compliance and space optimisation, our team manages your project from start to finish. It also carries out preliminary studies to assess renovation, demolition or reconstruction options in order to confirm your project’s feasibility.
Yes, you can modernise without rebuilding
In the context of climate change, land shortages and increasing performance requirements, it makes sense to renovate logistics hubs. Compared to building from scratch, it can be the more responsible, cost-effective and forward-looking option. While still taking your logistics to the next level.
Reinventing the existing to create a greener, more efficient facility that is better suited to future challenges: this is the new face of modern logistics.
Sources :
[1] https://www.fmlogistic.com/blog/the-future-of-logistics-embracing-sustainable-warehousing/
[2] https://www.daacap.com/smart-warehouses-the-green-transformation-of-warehouses-and-supply-chains/
[1] https://www.daacap.com/smart-warehouses-the-green-transformation-of-warehouses-and-supply-chains/
