Oxford expansion for logistics and service company Simon Hegele

Supply chain service provider Simon Hegele Logistics and Service Ltd is doubling its floor space in Oxfordshire with a major move to Didcot Quarter relocating operations from Milton Park.

Simon Hegele Logistics and Service Ltd has acquired DQ120 Didcot Quarter comprising 121,464 sq ft of new build warehouse / logistics space on a 10-year lease. The deal was agreed by property experts VSL & Partners on behalf of Savills Investment Management on a site area of 8.36 acres.

The Simon Hegele group, which was founded in 1920 has gone through an impressive development in recent years and is based in over 50 locations worldwide. The company will be fully operational in its Didcot Quarter facility by early 2022 and occupies over 600,000 square meters of state-of-the-art logistics centers and service space worldwide, employing 2,500 people.

Conor McClure, Managing Director of Simon Hegele explains: “We have enjoyed significant growth which has given us the confidence to expand our operations. Didcot Quarter is a fantastic location for our business and provides us with the space to expand in order to realise our full potential.”

Didcot Quarter is the largest industrial scheme to be developed in South Oxfordshire for over 20 years, providing a total of 311,000 sq ft of distribution and logistics space across two sites.

Marketed by VSL and Savills, unit DQ190 comprising 189,834 sq ft is available for occupation and benefits from Enterprise Zone status up until March 2022.

Special emphasis has been placed on creating an environment that promotes the health and wellbeing of employees with five acres of naturally landscaped amenity space featuring a boardwalk, grass amphitheater and tranquil waterside setting to promote the health and wellbeing of employees.

The development has BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings and incorporate the principles of the WELL Building standard. Other sustainability credentials include a rainwater harvesting system, 10% solar panel coverage on the roofs and fresh air ventilation with high levels of heat recovery and filtration to reduce energy consumption.

Tom Barton, Director at VSL & Partners said: “Didcot Quarter offers something different to traditional industrial space as the units have been designed to a very high specification and are set in a fantastic environment which will directly benefit employees.

“Didcot is a thriving, expanding town offering a ready-made workforce for employees while the site offers excellent access to major conurbations, industrial centres and the south coast ports by road and through the nearby train station.”

Didcot Quarter is close to the A34 Milton Interchange, the major north/south trunk road linking the M3, M27, M4 and M40 motorways. This strategic location provides excellent access to the major conurbations, industrial centres and the south coast ports while Didcot Parkway Station provides links to key UK destinations.