Built-to-Suit warehouses for future-ready businesses

Technology-enabled, purpose-built warehouses that cater to industry-specific requirements are known as built-to-suit (BTS) warehouses. These custom-built warehouses offer several benefits to occupiers, including operational efficiencies and cost rationalization, and are in high demand across the top five cities in India,¹ Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and, Chennai, with an expected absorption of more than 223 mn sq ft of Grade-A warehousing demand over the next three years (CREDAI-Anarock 2022 report).

Developers and occupiers collaborate to design facilities tailor-made to their industry specifications. Warehouses and light manufacturing units thus built, offer flexibility and scalability in design, layout, and size, with a high potential of automation. BTS warehouses also comply with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) regulations, and incorporate energy-efficient materials and designs to offer enhanced ventilation and efficient lighting. The roof and walls are well-insulated to maintain the desired temperature and reduce energy consumption on the factory floor.

Chemical Industry:

The production, blending, storage, and handling of hazardous materials (haz mat) within the chemical industry necessitate highly specialized warehouses that incorporate rigorous standard operating procedures, environmental protocols, and safety measures into their infrastructure. A built-to-suit (BTS) warehouse tailored to the specific needs of the chemical industry can be designed with well-defined areas in accordance with the chemical compatibility protocol. These independent areas are designed to function separately for operational and safety purposes, with the manufacturing unit secured within enclosures that are separate from the storage and work areas, thereby providing greater safety.

Warehouses custom designed for chemical industry are also equipped with special fire-fighting systems to tackle chemical fires, including air handling units, spillage containment systems, and special air evacuation units to eliminate toxic fumes. In addition, the warehouses may also be equipped for waste segregation, zero-discharge and fume collection.

The bespoke design of the chemical warehouse adheres to all environmental regulatory compliances, including the Pollution Control Board – Red Category certification and Department of Health and Safety certification. Developers support their customers with necessary infrastructure for these certifications like safe assembly areas, safety harness lifeline, signages etc. By incorporating the highest standards of safety and environmental protocols into its design, a BTS chemical warehouse can mitigate risks and reduce the likelihood of hazardous incidents. Such warehouses represent a key opportunity for the chemical industry to bolster its safety and efficiency practices while remaining compliant with regulatory standards.

Engineering:

As manufacturing units scale their operations, the need for tailored shop floors and workspaces becomes all the more critical. Manufacturers producing high volume inventory may want to design a layout that allows streamlined production while ensuring easy access to quality control and maintenance functions. Developers also offer flexibility in space planning of these units, keeping in mind the phase-wise expansion plans as envisaged by the customers.

Built-to-suit logistics warehouses also provide manufacturers the opportunity to leverage overhead or bridge cranes, and advanced technology including the likes of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). The implementation of such innovations facilitates a more efficient flow of materials and a more flexible production process overall.

Moreover, a smart warehouse or factory can be custom-built to be environmentally conscious and energy-efficient. Solar rooftop panels are but one example of how power can be sourced on-site, and how manufacturers can reduce the carbon footprint of their operations. The roof and walls are well-insulated to maintain the desired temperature and reduce energy consumption on the factory floor.

E-Commerce:

The surge of online shopping has significantly increased the demand for larger, automated warehouses that can handle high-volume orders with minimal human intervention. Optimal tailored warehouse facilities enable smart operations by seamlessly integrating large-scale product storage, efficient order processing, and faster last-mile delivery. Warehouses can be custom built with 12 metre or more clear height at eaves to facilitate multi-storey racking and with heavy duty floors, starting with 5 tonnes per sq. m to enable use of state-of-the-art AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles). While the standard provision of 1 dock per 10,000 sq. ft is provided for ecommerce tenants at all parks by Horizon, the same can be increased as per customers’ requirement. Custom-built docks facilitate smooth loading and unloading of inventory. The rise of Q-commerce has also generated a need for new in-city warehousing models, including dark stores, micro-fulfillment centers, and mini warehouses. A strategically located BTS warehouse functions as a central hub of a rapid supply and delivery chain, ensuring customers receive their orders with exceptional speed and efficiency.

Original Equipment Manufacturers:

Ancillary industries are original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), tier I, tier II, tier III manufacturers and intermediaries, that build various components and parts used by commercial enterprises to assemble their final products. Modern OEM facilities require customised warehouses and manufacturing units to accommodate multiline operations, from production and assembly to movement, storage, and dispatch of finished components. It provides safe, integrated mezzanine workspaces for factory workers to monitor the operations. The foundations, supporting columns, and girders are designed to facilitate the installation of overhead cranes, allowing for easy movement and storage of heavy parts. The BTS space may be equipped with an HVAC system and an air handling unit to regulate the temperature within the premises. A purpose-built warehouse for the OEM segment enclosed within a gated industrial park offers enhanced security for occupiers.

Cold Storage:

Temperature-controlled cold storage facilities that maintain temperatures between 33° and 55° F, serve as a critical cog in enhancing the shelf life of perishable products like fruits, vegetables, medicines, vaccines and cosmetic products. These cold chain facilities are designed to optimize storage capacity and reduce cost of operations by enhancing energy efficiency through environment friendly design, building materials and use of renewable energy solutions.

The Horizon Ahead:

Our pre-engineered buildings are purpose-built to offer superior infrastructure, which meets global standards. Whether you are an OEM for automotive components, third party logistics service provider, ecommerce company, manufacturer of electronics, or chemicals, or cold chain solution provider, our built-to-suit (BTS) warehouses are tailored to fit your needs.

At Horizon Industrial Parks, we prioritize safe, sustainable, and ergonomic workplaces for your employees with barrier-free building designs for the differently-abled, first-aid centers, ambulance on standby, Miyawaki gardens and conveniences such as ATMs, and EV charging plug points.

With 17 industrial parks across eight key Indian markets and more than 1000 acres of space, Horizon Industrial Parks is ready to serve your needs with our top-notch facilities and unparalleled service.

Citations:

1. https://www.jll.co.in/en/trends-and-insights/research/india-industrial-warehouse-market-update-h1-2021