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The general contractor as the designer & builder of the reindustrialisation era

15/10/2024



Reindustrialisation: France’s infrastructure boom

In France, the industrial and logistics landscape is showing signs of healthy expansion, with the construction of industrial and logistics facilities up by a strong 8.6% in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. A broad range of industries – from agri-food to life science, medical, biotechnology, fine chemicals and cosmetics – is in need of a variety of key infrastructures – including factories, warehouses and offices. The latest figures show that the additional floor space authorised for these industrial and logistics buildings totalled 8.5 million square metres over the twelve months to the end of June 2023, up by 11% year on year. In particular, around 60% of this space is allocated to logistics projects, including a significant increase in warehouses exceeding 100,000 m².

This trend is driven by a number of factors, including the growing demand for logistics hubs supporting the boom in e-commerce and the relocation of some industries to France. Technological innovations and environmental guidelines are also driving companies to modernise and optimise their facilities.

In this dynamic environment, the figures speak for themselves. In 2023, France inaugurated 201 new industrial sites (not including warehouses), outdoing 2022’s result of 176. In terms of net openings, the figure for 2023 stands at 57 new sites, up from 49 in 2022: an increase of 16%. In 2024, the outlook remains positive, with preliminary announcements of 95 openings for industrial start-ups and 63 for small and medium-sized industrial companies, signalling a favourable momentum in the sector.

In such a boom economy, general contractors truly come into their own. As the primary orchestrators of the multiple sub-projects, they guarantee quality, deadlines and budgets, while ensuring strict compliance with regulatory standards. This comprehensive expertise is crucial if industrial construction is to retain its role as a catalyst, propelling companies to success and driving growth in the economy.

What role does GSE play in supporting the reindustrialisation drive?

Preparation and planning

First, GSE considers and assesses the client’s specific needs to identify feasible technical options for the project. This may include land prospecting, relying on dedicated tools to locate available brownfield sites.

The feasibility studies, covering the business, technical and environmental dimensions, are fundamental. One of their main objectives is to simplify environmental management, particularly of so-called polluted sites, thanks to the involvement of our Polluted Sites and Soils expert and our environmental engineer. They help us navigate through the regulatory framework, with a view to obtaining building permits. 

Resource management and logistics 

Managing raw materials and other resources is essential to ensure that deadlines are met. The general contractor ensures the effective coordination of deliveries of materials and equipment and the recruitment of the workforce required for the project.

This role includes coordinating & supervising every phase (construction process, foundations, building, etc.), establishing quality control protocols through a QAP, guaranteeing compliance with established standards, and overseeing rigorous safety measures to protect workers and minimise the risk of accidents in the workplace.

In terms of technical solutions, prefabrication can optimise the construction process. 60% of GSE’s projects rely on this approach, which involves constructing some of the elements off the main site. By manufacturing building components in a controlled environment, before transporting them for assembly on the site, prefabrication reduces construction times, increases the safety of operations and reduces the risk of accidents to workers. Off-site construction is also more sustainable: it optimises the use of materials and significantly reduces the amount of waste generated. In a context of growing demand for faster, environmentally-friendly construction methods, off-site construction is a promising solution for the industry in the future.

Our expertise is the art of engineering: consultancy, design and construction 

As a general contractor with multidisciplinary expertise, GSE offers customised buildings designed to maximise your production facility’s efficiency. Your project should also embody your company’s identity and contribute to your employees’ wellbeing. That’s why our team ensures that the interior layout and features are designed to ensure the safety and comfort of all users. 

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  • Workshops: We integrate your industrial process into your future building. For a new factory or workshop, our aim is to optimise space. Our engineering expertise enables us to make firm commitments on quality standards and deadlines.
  • Storage buildings: MODULOG, a proprietary GSE concept, offers you a turnkey facility including high-performance logistics warehouses and offices. The concept is based on an industrialised process and a keen understanding of your needs and constraints. 
  • Offices: Your industrial premises are a reflection of your expertise. They often include offices, where interior design acts as a showcase for visitors and contributes to your employees’ wellbeing. We offer a wide range of styles for fixtures and furnishings, from minimalist to contemporary.

Building Information Modelling (BIM): by using BIM right from the design stage, we create accurate 3D models that improve project coordination and reduce the risk of error. 

Our industrial construction projects fall into three areas of expertise :

  1. Rehabilitation & restructuring : we develop a plan that takes into account environmental, technical and financial aspects, followed if necessary by decontamination operations and sometimes demolition, to ensure safer use of the property. 
  2. Extensions of an existing site : the main objective is to improve existing processes and increase production capacity, while paying particular attention to environmental and social issues. 
  3. New build : The site selection and feasibility study are key stages ahead of your project. They are followed by the design, planning and permit phases, and finally by the construction of the operational plant. 

Our eco-responsible approach 

Labels and certificates 

It is part of our job to guide our clients through the challenges of sustainable development. Eco-responsibility the foundation of our approach. Pioneering the implementation of high environmental standards, we design the green buildings of tomorrow. We aim to help overcome the major sustainability challenges our societies face by introducing cutting-edge, financially viable and customised technical solutions for each project.

GSE also boasts outstanding expertise in environmental certification, which can serve to improve a building’s ecological performance. With over a decade’s experience and more than 145 projects certified or pending certification, our team of experts applies its deep technical knowledge to meet the requirements of internationally recognised certificates such as BREEAM, HQE® and LEED, as well as labels dedicated to reducing carbon footprints such as BBCA and Zero Carbon.

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Zimmer

Mcphy, construction of an HQE Excellent certified industry

Located in Belfort, the new McPhy plant harnesses a strong network of suppliers and partners to produce large electrolysers, boosting the production of green energy (hydrogen) for industry. The building was awarded HQE Bâtiment Durable certificate to the Excellent level, highlighting its commitment to environmental performance, user comfort and efficient management. It also obtained the E3C1 label for its energy efficiency and reduced carbon footprint.

Excellence in industrial site construction requires a mix of technical know-how, strong project management, innovative technology and clear, effective communication. By applying these areas of expertise, we can commit to delivering complex industrial projects on time and on budget, while ensuring superior quality and strict regulatory compliance. This expertise is the key to meeting the specific demands of industrial clients and contributing to their success.

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