Goodman to build Staples' Swedish hub

Warehouse developer Goodman has entered the Swedish market after signing an agreement with office products supplier Staples to build a distribution centre in the country.

The 21,500sq metre distribution centre will be developed on a 48,000sq metre site at the central Swedish town of Växjö, where Staples has an existing warehouse. Following its completion, scheduled for this autumn, Staples will bring together the storage and distribution activities currently undertaken in Boras and Växjö into the new, single facility boasting 24 loading docks.

The agreement follows Goodman’s 2008 completion a 45,000sq metre warehouse facility for Staples in Waldlaubersheim, Germany.

Per Gundersen, MD of Staples Sweden, said: “We are delighted to be working with Goodman who, having already delivered a major facility for us in Germany, has a good understanding of our requirements, backed by significant development expertise within the logistics sector.”

Following completion of construction, Goodman has agreed to sell the property to Swedish investment firm Hemfosa Fastigheter for SKr140m (US$19m).

Jens Engwall, MD of Hemfosa Fastigheter, said: “We are happy to expand our portfolio with this new high-quality building and its long-term lease with solid international company Staples and internationally renowned property group, Goodman, and look forward to the start of a broader co-operation.”