This news article was originally written in Spanish. It has been automatically translated for your convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace a human translator. The original article in Spanish can be viewed at Entrevista a Manuel Balcells, director gerente de Inbisa Logística
"Logistics is essential for economic development"
Interview with Manuel Balcells, managing director of Inbisa logistics
Monica Daluz01/06/2009
June 1, 2009
The real estate group Inbisa created in the middle of last year Inbisa logistics, subsidiary to boost its activity in the logistics sector. Based in Barcelona, the subsidiary promotes properties for logistical use both national and international levels. Your manager, Manuel Balcells, gives us his point of view on the changes that lie ahead in the field of logistics platforms.
Let's start with a bit of history. When and how were born the first logistics park in Spain. Which were its special features and what similarities were the logistics configuration of other European and American cities.
The history of the logistics parks in Spain is recent, no example more than 20 years of life, and they were born from the needs generated by large centres of population in Madrid and the port in Barcelona. Since then in its infancy does not they kept some resemblance with those existing in other countries as ours were formed as the sum of needs and not in a planned way.
What has been the evolution experienced logistical areas since its inception to the present day?
The evolution has been that you have gone from being the sum of different clustered installations, a unitary project designed from the start as such. Criteria of efficiency when it comes to choosing the site and in your own design are also incorporated.
What is the process of creation of a logistics park?
The process should start with the analysis of the demand and end with solutions to the needs of future users, (parking, services, etc.). During the process aspects should not be forgotten as the efficiency in the design and environmental aspects.
But...
Unfortunately the offer has not followed this process, i.e., has been in many cases the actual demand of the market. Many logistics parks have been created or have dimensioned more for reasons of competition between the administrations than by real demand.
Could a 'zoning' of the Spanish territory I do according to the characteristics of their logistical areas?
The zoning will not come given in terms of features but the market demand. It should be noted "the Henares corridor" with Madrid area, and the area south of Barcelona next to the port. The rest suffered a greater dispersion, with emerging such as Zaragoza and Valencia locations.
What is the situation of the logistical platforms in other countries?
Europe is a market much more mature and consolidated in the case of countries such as France, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium and Holland, where as before it cited, its creation and development have been accompanied by a planning according to market needs rather than administrative aspects.
How to solve the problem of the shortage of logistical land?
Changing the perception of the administrations, who even believe that this is an activity that does not produce wealth, or employment on the other hand saturated infrastructure and does not respect the environment. Logistics is essential for economic development, in a context of market globalization, and well-planned creates wealth, jobs and you can of course be compatible with respect for the environment.
Has it changed the sensitivity of municipalities with regard to the promotion of logistical land in its territory?
It is beginning to change, but it is more by need to find alternatives to the production which by own conviction, I am afraid.
What other problems does the sector?
From economic instability and therefore changes in consumption patterns, the volatility of fuel prices, through the lack of credit to develop projects. But still it is a sector with favourable prospects in the economic context. Not to mention that the relocation of industry generates movement of goods and therefore promote logistics, as well as the need to optimize processes in times of crisis that leads companies to outsource the management of its stores for the benefit of the logistics operators.
"Many logistics parks have been created or have dimensioned more for reasons of competition between the administrations than by real demand"
Lie ahead in the supply chain and changes in patterns of production and distribution to determine what has to be the logistics of the future?
Yes, probably progressively abandon the model of aggressive competition and go permeating the necessity of applying models more responsible, social, corporate and environmentally speaking.
Cite some particularly unique logistics park
I would highlight Plaza in Zaragoza, by design and its importance, your problem is in the dimension not sufficiently contrasted with the demand, perhaps should have been implemented through phases in accordance with the demand of the market, but is interesting as a reference design.
Where are we going? What are the trends in the management of the logistic land?.
The current economic situation leads to similar models to those who work in other countries, where the construction 'at risk' is minimal, the operations are prealquiler, thus reducing unemployment, and leases are longer and so the market is more stable.
