Leonardo breaks ground on new logistics hub
Building work will shortly commence on a new £30-million single-site logistics facility at Leonardo’s helicopter site in Yeovil, UK
The facility will span an area of nearly 20,000m2 and is scheduled to be completed in Q4 2022. The project sees the consolidation of eight existing warehouses into one all-encompassing logistics hub. The facility will mean a reduction in operating costs, by having all logistics under one roof, and maximizes the potential of helicopter component logistics.
Additionally, the new facility is heavily focussed on sustainability. It will be equipped with rainwater harvesting tanks for brown water services, full LED lighting will be employed throughout the facility, and a heat recovery system will be used in the main warehouse, which will be complemented by a modern office temperature control system. In addition, there will be a bank of electrical vehicle charging points.
Providing spares support for global fleet of Leonardo helicopters
The site will be operated under a new ten-year commercial contract with Kuehne+Nagel, which will include an investment in plant and equipment installation and warehousing transition activity by the global transport and logistics company. The facility is expected to be fully operational in 2023.
The new facility will service the Yeovil production facilities and provide spares support for the global fleet of rotary aircraft built at Leonardo’s site in Yeovil, and support the management of production tooling.
“The main aim of the single-site logistics facility at Leonardo’s site in Yeovil is to consolidate all Yeovil-based warehousing,” said Nick Whitney, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters (UK). “This facility will streamline the site’s operational capability and customer service by having all logistical support in one place. It highlights further Leonardo’s long-term commitment to its Yeovil site through the strategic development of this high-tech logistics hub. It also demonstrates the importance of key industry partnerships through our crucial collaboration with Kuehne+Nagel.”
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Leonardo recently delivered its 10th AW101 All-Weather Search and Rescue helicopter to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.