Driving home the benefits of sustainability in the historic heart of the British automotive industry

It’s not just homeowners who are counting the cost of rising energy bills: businesses are also grappling with high energy costs. UK automotive manufacturers, for example, now cite energy as their single biggest concern, with almost seven in 10 (69%) SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders) members worried about the impact of onerous cost increases on their business operations. This highlights the importance of Sustainability in automotive industry.

Having the right warehouse, in the right location, can help.

At St Modwen Logistics we’ve long understood that a warehouse built to the highest sustainability standards is not only better for the planet; it’s also better for business. Take our newest warehouse in Longbridge, Birmingham for example. Our commitment to sustainability in the automotive industry is evident in our Swan Standard, which ensures minimal environmental impact while reducing operational costs for our customers.

Nestled in the historic home of the British automotive industry, this 155,000 sq. ft warehouse is built to our Swan Standard, which ensures the building has minimal impact on the environment, whilst helping our customers realise their responsible business ambitions, reduce their operational costs and provide their employees with a great place to work.

Read on to discover how we help deliver on customer’s responsible business goals, alternatively submit an enquiry here to find out more.

The power to drive down costs

Our Longbridge warehouse roof has 1,600m2 of photo voltaic (PV) solar panels included at no extra cost: that’s enough solar power to cover the regulated energy costs of the office space and save its occupier around £120,000* per year in energy bills.

Highly rated for sustainability and energy efficiency

The warehouse has an EPC A+ rating and a BREEAM ‘outstanding’ rating: that’s a lot of acronyms, but what does it really mean for the occupier?

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) indicate a building’s energy and carbon performance rating. This building has an EPC rating of A+, which is the most efficient and basically means it generates more energy than it consumes, which will help the new occupier reduce both operational energy costs and their impact on the environment.

We all live on the same planet so it’s important that we look after it. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s longest established building sustainability assessment and works to minimise harmful carbon emissions by considering smarter energy solutions, minimising operational pollution and using sustainable materials. Our sustainable Birmingham warehouse is rated BREEAM ‘outstanding’, placing it amongst the top 1% of UK new, non-domestic buildings, in terms of its sustainability.

Get smart

You can’t manage what you can’t measure, or so the saying goes: that’s why this new warehouse has a smart-enabled energy monitoring system which will enable its occupier to see where and when energy is being used, helping to reduce costs.

Let there be light

The right light is important for employee wellbeing and operational efficiency. That’s why this warehouse has both rooflights and smart, LED lighting, making it a clear choice for occupiers looking to increase productivity and reduce risk.

15% of the building’s roof is given over to roof lights. This allows natural light to flood the warehouse, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours and making it a light, bright place in which to work. That good news for employee wellbeing and operational costs. Windows in the office area have also been increased to flood rooms with natural light, reducing the demand for artificial light.

LED lighting in the warehouse runs on a Bluetooth plug-and-move system, which means electricity isn’t being wasted in unoccupied areas. That’s great news for reducing energy costs and maintenance.

Materials matter

From floor to ceiling; low carbon, low energy materials are high on our priority list.

The carpet tiles at Longbridge, for example, are made from 100% recyclable material and are designed to be disassembled so their components can be easily recycled at the end of their life to be made into raw material for new carpet tiles. We think that’s a step in the right direction.

Timber used within the warehouse has also been responsibly sourced and is FSC® certified, whilst paint with low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) is used on all internal walls. We also install eco hand driers in the toilets and low energy lifts – so people can go up in the world, whilst keeping costs down.

Come and see for yourself!

If you’re a responsible business looking for a sustainable, energy efficient warehouse in the West Midlands, why not come and see our new warehouse at the Cofton Centre in Longbridge for yourself? It could help you move your business up a gear, alternatively complete the form below and we’ll be in touch with more information.