Logistics firm GLP has taken advantage of the International Logistics Exhibition (SIL) in Barcelona to present what is to be its new European flagship. The Oaxis GLP Park Madrid Villaverde project will occupy a 273,100 square metre plot in the Madrid neighbourhood, just nine kilometres from the Puerta del Sol.

GLP started planning the project in 2020. As recently reported by El Economista, part of the plot was previously owned by Stellantis, although the sale will not affect the operation or capacity of the adjoining plant, which produces Citroën C4 electric cars.

Sustainability, people and technology
Construction of the new park will be completed in 2025, and GLP aims to make it a European benchmark for the new immo logistics, a play on words that defines the company's property rental business for logistics assets. Proximity to the centre of Madrid is key given the target customer profile, and the facilities are ready to respond to the needs created by online shopping. The location will facilitate efficient, sustainable last-mile delivery using non-polluting vehicles.

Furthermore, plans are underway to obtain WELL certification, which recognises quality of life for workers. If successful, it would be the first logistics park in Spain to achieve this, and is part of the company’s commitment to staff welfare. To do this, the facilities will be equipped with green areas, sports fields, open-air gyms, a restaurant, electric charging areas, bicycle parking and a running track. The third key element, a fundamental one in the logistics sector, will be technology.

Blending in with the surroundings
For Óscar Heras, the Director of GLP Spain, “Oaxis has a focus on both the community and on sustainability, because, for GLP it's essential to blend in with the surrounding landscape and contribute to the community, while at the same time generating wealth and employment in the area”.

Regarding the most innovative aspects of the park, Heras explains, “There are many challenges involved in developing a project as disruptive as Oaxis, as we are doing something unprecedented." In this sense, he is grateful for the advice received from the local authorities, which the company has supplemented with an exhaustive study of the most cutting-edge logistics parks in the world.

^{Photo: GLP}