Interview with Jean Bernard Gaudin

Shortly after opening the Sein and with a full year ahead for new industrial and logistics projects, Jean Bernard Gaudin, Director of Industrial and logistics of Exa gives us his unique vision of the current market and speaks to us of the opportunities that may occur.

Jean Bernard Gaudin, Director of Industrial and logistics of Exa

Analysis of the year that we have closed, what has been the logistics ships absorption last year?
-During the 2005 there was a takeover of 470,000 m2 in Madrid in what refers to vessels of more than 5,000 m2 of specific use for the logistics sector.

And what have been the main areas of location?
-The main operations have been in the axis A2, the so-called Corredor de Henares, and A4, the road of Andalusia. Major projects have been in the areas of Alcalá de Henares, in Daganzo or in Cabanillas del Campo, in the South, are those of Getafe, Seseña, Valdemoro and Ciempozuelos.

In this market, there is strong preference for the purchase or rental?
-In the logistics sector, about 90% of the operations are in regime of rent.

Are who the principal owners of these buildings?
-They are investment funds, both nationally and internationally. In the early years there was a clear difference, as they had more foreign investors as nationals, in part because of the experience at the international level as regards this type of real estate, however, existing large projects with national investment as in the case of Iberdrola real estateCoperfil with Banco de Sabadell or wider Europe for example.

Projects that are underway in different communities such as Madrid, Valencia, Aragon or Catalonia, do you that they are compatible or in free trade competition?
-In principle they may be compatible but it depends on the products and their locations. I.e., if a company is installed on a logistics ship located 35 km from Madrid at most, probably it will be in order to supply to the area of influence and not find place in other areas but they can represent a lower cost. But if the ship is for nationwide, then the operators choose Yes its location depending on the price.

However, logistical projects require large areas of land and does not seem to have much available. It is a problem of retail price or there are other problems?
-The price is a major problem. In Madrid for example it is very difficult to find soil at a good price because there is too much speculation, but in other areas there are also other types of disabilities. For example, in Catalonia farmers and environmentalists oppose completely some project located in agricultural areas or vineyards.

As for the future, what areas believes that that will be more suitable for logistics projects of large volume?
-Areas with higher growth will be Cabanillas, French toast and Yunquera, for this area and the area of Seseña, Ontígola and Borox for the southern zone where you can find income with 2, 6 and 3, 6 EUR/m²month.

Finally, now that is held for the first time the Sein, space business, commercial and industrial fair, how Exa this new industrial and logistics exhibition space?
-Familiar with organizers and we are sure to be a success. EXA this year will attend as a visitor and perhaps we consider our participation for the next edition.
We are a young company in comparison with the large multinationals that are in all the trade fairs, so we look more thoroughly at our participation since that is a significant investment. For example, the SIL of Barcelona gives us confidence because the results in this fair have always been very positive for us.
Sein can be a good opportunity in Madrid, for specific operations related to the industrial and logistics sector.