SEGRO’s £2 billion investment is vote of confidence for West Midlands says mayor

Real estate investment trust SEGRO, which owns, manages and develops warehouse and industrial space, has partnered with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to invest £2 billion over the coming decade to deliver net-zero warehouse facilities.

SEGRO aims to deliver 13.5 million sq ft of sustainable warehouse space across the West Midlands by the end of 2033, focused on technology-enabled logistics facilities as well as purpose-built space for research, development and light manufacturing.

The investment includes the development of SEGRO Park Coventry – a 450-acre site with planning permission for 3.7 million sq ft of industrial buildings and warehouses.

David Sleath, Chief Executive Officer at SEGRO said: “There is a long-term

SSG Contracts switches to solar power with £167,000 investment

Family-run Midlands contractor SSG Contracts is installing 292 solar panels at its site in Northamptonshire, supported by a £167,000 funding package from Lloyds Bank.

Headquartered in Solihull, SSG Contracts provides construction, refurbishment, maintenance, facilities management, warehousing and logistics services.

The contractor purchased the Nene Business Centre in Wellingborough in 2021 with the support of a £2.6 million loan from Lloyds Bank, to provide office and warehousing space to its customers.

shortage of modern, sustainable industrial employment space in the West Midlands.

“Working with the West Midlands Combined Authority we can identify and unlock brownfield sites for development.

Andy Street, Mayor of West Midlands added: “SEGRO becoming a strategic partner is another welcome vote of confidence in our region.

“It is exactly this kind of private sector investment – combined with the public sector creating the right conditions – that will ultimately drive our prosperity in the years ahead.”

To coincide with becoming a Strategic Partner of the WMCA, SEGRO is relocating its National Logistics business unit to Coventry city centre.

SSG Contracts secured £167,000 of new funding and is installing a system of 292 solar panels on the roof, capable of producing 120 kilowatts of electricity each hour.

The £21 million turnover business currently employs 60 people and aims to double its turnover and headcount in the next two years.

John Fitzgerald, director of SSG Contracts, said: “We’re facing increasing demand from customers to demonstrate our sustainability credentials. By investing in carbon reduction initiatives, we hope to help our customers meet their own carbon reduction targets.”