Interview with Juan José Cercadillo, President of Hercesa
Residential, Office, industrial and tertiary....Hercesa is a company that touches all sectors... Currently, what has more force within the company?
Hercesa is a specialist in residential real estate developer, who has always had industrial and tertiary product, but that since the last four years we have accumulated a portfolio of soil in management of nearly 9 million square meters, mainly in the Corredor del Henares, and that we are now putting on the market. So, say that it will gradually having a similar or slightly lower than the residential national force.
We also draft of Gateway Center, of the transport of Guadalajara, has 2.2 million square meters of surface and road-an exchanger intermodal rail, allowing trains of 900 meters. This new platform will give response to the logistics of the Centre needs because their situation at the gate of the community of Madrid will prevent rail problems from the carriage of goods of Madrid.
The tertiary and industrial sectors, what part is within the company?
In terms of billing, we hope that in the coming years represent 20 per cent, although depending on the implementation of the projects, especially door Centre, can be overcome.
What are the main operations planned for 2009 in this area?
Our main commitment is Gateway Center. This city of transport, located in Guadalajara, Marchamalo, is going to be a milestone in the logistics of Castile - La Mancha and the community of Madrid, but we also have other important projects underway.
At the tertiary level, we have a very ambitious project in Guadalajara that we call Europe square and consists of three buildings at 15 floors each, more than 24,000 square metres of surface area for offices and hotels, which is located in the new commercial and tertiary area of Guadalajara, next to the Ferial Plaza (El Corte Inglés).
In the industrial field, we have projects that we are developing in business parks in Guadalajara, Cabanillas del Campo, Trijueque, Villalbilla, Chiloeches and Paracuellos, covering a wide demand for industrial land and buildings in the area of the Corredor del Henares.
And finally, in the area of trade we are developing shopping centers in Paracuellos de Jarama (Madrid), Torrejón de Ardoz and premises in residential low in all our promotions in Spain and abroad, which can house supermarkets, banks, hairdressers, etc.
Hercesa enterprises is a division created specially for the industrial and tertiary sectors expressly... what your tour has been so far?
In recent years it has been preparing to dispose of all industrial and tertiary product, as well as manage the assets part of the company. Now is when is assuming an important role.
At the moment, do companies Hercesa bet for business parks or projects of offices?
They are complementary activities that we develop depending on the location of the soils, their qualifications and demand. Our idea is to make the product demanded by the market and acquisition and promotion of that product that has real output, for sale or rent.
And as for tertiary and industrial sectors, what areas predominate in its portfolio of projects?
As I have said before, the majority of our soil is concentrated in the Corredor del Henares (axis Madrid-Guadalajara) where there is a strong demand and where we are well aware of the market.
In your opinion, what regions have more room to grow?
In my opinion Castile - La Mancha has long route, especially in the province of Guadalajara, increasingly, to a greater extent, become the door of Madrid from the East peninsular.
From the point of view of businesses, what characteristics prevail when choosing between a business or industrial park or another?
The location is essential. They have to have a good network of communications by road and rail, as well as other services. Then comes the price per square meter, but in the background.
We are experiencing a major boom of the industrial and logistics offer miles of big cities. Are these projects a good alternative to closer to metropolitan areas?
Yes, and that is our commitment. We must avoid the collapse of the too close to metropolitan areas, whose prices are also higher, more that an advantage became a drawback.
However, there are companies who need the proximity of the port, airport, dry ports or other infrastructures... what options do these companies currently?
Our business parks and the Gateway Center project are clear options of good location with excellent communications with the main infrastructures, dry ports, airports, etc.
And, by the different public administrations, it how the important momentum that are giving to logistical and industrial projects in recent times?
It is very important that administrations bet for these projects because they depend on large transport infrastructures that make it possible that they can develop successfully. Therefore, very positive.
A significant number are proliferating business centers and business parks to far and wide throughout the Spanish geography. This will mean a diversification of the market or a glut of supply?
We believe that if we follow a process of decentralization of the economy are necessary in any geography business centre and business parks. What happens is that some areas are more attractive than others and the market will mark the success or failure of initiatives. But it is good economic development in all regions.
Changing the subject, Hercesa has chosen strong logistics with the sponsorship of Logitrans. What is there for this first edition?
In times of crisis, we must be prudent and realistic, and I think that the main goal is to place Madrid as a reference of the international logistics. And I am sure that we will achieve this goal through Logitrans.
And what differences can be found on an already consolidated logistics Hall such as the Barcelona Sil?
Madrid is a fair park leader in this type of recognition and great prestige events like Barcelona. I am sure to give a major boost at the international level
Finally, what it will present Hercesa in this room?
The main project will be Gateway Center. From here we want to invite all readers to attend the presentation that will make 10 November and visit our booth. I hope that we can see and discuss the project personally.