With logistics hubs and warehouse sites booming across Europe, mezzanines are helping our clients gain maximum value from their real estate.
The Netherlands, Germany and Poland are among the countries to have seen significant growth in logistics centres due to their strategic locations and robust transport networks, becoming critical nodes in European logistics.
Europe’s diverse geography and market demands have required centralised logistics hubs that facilitate efficient distribution across a number of countries, streamlining transport for quicker delivery times. The need for more resilient supply chains following disruptions caused by the pandemic, however, means many companies have shifted their logistics strategies to include more localised hubs, reducing dependency on single points of failure and enhancing flexibility.
Whether in centralised or localised distribution centres and storage warehouses, installing mezzanines means businesses can make full use of their vertical capacity. They can also future-proof their operations so they have the space they need for more staff and more product as the company grows.
Single and multiple-tier mezzanine
Hi-Level Mezzanines has worked in tandem with ambitious clients to install a variety of single and multi-tier mezzanines in Europe:
• Sweden – for a global logistics provider
• France – for a self-storage company
• Germany – for leading home and fashion retailer
• Germany – for a commercial refrigeration and catering company
A stage for Elton John
We have completed further projects in Austria, Spain, the Netherlands, Malta and Greece.
A stage for Elton John
In fact, when a high-profile family in Athens had ambitious plans for their daughter’s wedding, we installed a mezzanine to cover the saltwater swimming pool at their villa, as well as a two-tier mezzanine around the pool that was later made to look like the Parthenon. … We also installed a special stage area ready for a large piano to be flown in for the wedding entertainment – which turned out to be Elton John!
Innovation and flexibility
Our success comes from the relationships we have built, our innovation, our flexibility and our brilliant team.
We have a strong relationship with our distributors in the Republic of Ireland and we have supplied our revolutionary robot-ready flooring tile Hi-Tile into Europe.
Hi-Level Mezzanines’ Hi-Tile flooring has been created specifically to withstand the wear and tear caused by robotics and where the use of trolleys would damage traditional floor coverings. The most durable, cost-effective flooring on the market, its anti-slip surface make it the perfect choice.
We can install mezzanines for clients with projects in individual countries or across Europe if they have a network of locations. We have a full-time employee in Poland who anchors our European operations, as well as UK-based staff who speak Spanish and Portuguese, for example.
Depending on the project we can send a team of installers from the UK or work with local installation companies, which has the benefit of supporting local jobs and reducing mileage for sustainability. All the steel we use is manufactured in Britain but decking boards and joists can be bought in Europe and dispatched directly to site. This again cuts transport miles in line with our sustainability goals.
Booming hubs
Several countries in Europe have emerged as booming hubs for logistics and warehouse distribution, driven by their strategic locations, infrastructure investments, and growing e-commerce markets. The key players include:
- Germany: As Europe’s largest economy, Germany has a well-developed logistics infrastructure, including extensive road, rail and air networks. Major cities such as Frankfurt, Hamburg and Berlin are key logistics centres.
- Netherlands: The Netherlands is known for its advanced logistics capabilities, particularly around the Port of Rotterdam and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
- Poland: Poland has become increasingly attractive for logistics operations due to its growing economy, competitive labour costs and improved infrastructure. Cities such as Warsaw, Wrocław, and Poznań are seeing significant investments.
- Belgium: Belgium offers excellent access to major markets and the Port of Antwerp is one of the largest in Europe.
- France: France has a strong logistics sector, with hubs around Paris and major ports including Le Havre. The country is investing in modernising its logistics infrastructure to keep pace with growing demands.
- Spain: Spain is becoming a key gateway for trade between Europe and Africa.
- Italy: Italy is enhancing its logistics capabilities, especially in the north around Milan and Turin. Investments in infrastructure and technology are driving growth in this sector.
- Czech Republic: The Czech Republic is emerging as a logistics hub in Central Europe, thanks to its strategic location and developing transport infrastructure, particularly around Prague.
Investment in automation
Investment in distribution centres frequently involves automation. Recent examples are:
- German retail giant REWE has opened what it calls its most advanced logistics centre yet, a £211.4 million project that can handle 286,000 packages a day. It has 53 outbound dock doors, houses 20,000 dry goods items and will supply 1,900 stores plus nine regional warehouses. Half its storage and picking processes are automated for increased efficiency but it also employs 270 staff.
- GXO Logistics has installed a large-scale robotics operation for a major sports retailer in France, featuring 500 autonomous mobile robots managing 70,000 bins. The new system will improve order processing, adapt to the demands of different seasons, increase efficiency and productivity, and enhance safety. The investment includes AI and machine learning to tackle supply-chain complexities.
- Delivery and fulfilment company Posti is opening one of its largest sorting centres in the Baltics, a £12 million investment near Tallinn in Estonia. The new logistics centre will feature automation and is expected to open early in 2025. It will be 7,500 m2 with the capacity to scale up by another 2,400 m2. The facility will be used by parcel courier Itella and will triple its parcel handling capacity.
Hi-Level Mezzanines provides mezzanine floors of the highest quality in the industry, yet remaining competitively priced thanks to the expertise of our team of qualified structural engineers, innovative digital design process and advanced solutions.
If you are considering installing a mezzanine and would like more information, contact us today at [email protected] or call 01730 237 190.
