State-of-the-art warehouse for South West

THE HUB will revolutionise the way Leonardo services its global helicopter fleet, helping the company deliver replacement parts more efficiently and responsively for its international customers.

The Single Site Logistics Hub for helicopter maintenance in Yeovil replaced eight ageing buildings.

Leonardo Helicopters UK managing director Adam Clarke, says: “We are proud to open this impressive new Single Site Logistics Hub here in Yeovil, the Home of British Helicopters.

“This strategically-located facility will be able to draw on the region’s robust supply chain and skilled workforce and, by incorporating the latest digital and automation technologies, will enable us to offer an even better maintenance service for our UK and international customers.”

Sustainable construction and operation

Predicted to become a landmark of sustainability in the South West, the new hub’s green design extends right into the building itself, with over 25,000 cubic metres of demolition material successfully re-utilised in its construction.

The fully operational new Hub is equipped with LED lighting throughout, a bank of electric vehicle charging points in support of Leonardo’s Green Travel plan for employees and a brand new fleet of electric commercial vehicles that will distribute components from the Hub to the company’s manufacturing facilities. There is also a heat recovery system in the main warehouse to complement the temperature control system in the building’s modern office facilities.

DE&S ( Defence Equipment & Support, part of the MOD) director helicopters Mark Langrill says: “We welcome Leonardo Helicopters’ development of their new Logistics Hub and applaud their focus on sustainable design. Such investments in skills and infrastructure are an important means of contributing to regional prosperity and, in this instance of improving support to some of the UK Armed Forces’ helicopter fleets, procured by DE&S, which play an essential role in defending our national interests.”

Broader economy

As well as significant in the logistics sector, the move is important for the broader economy.

Leonardo has built a 3,330-strong highly skilled helicopters workforce in the UK, working on-site in Yeovil, including 430 design-focused engineers proficient in the 87 essential skill sets for executing high-value helicopter design work. 

The site also supports a thriving UK-wide helicopter supply chain and over 12,000 jobs.

Partner

Digital technologies underpin the highly-automated facility, which will be operated in partnership with Kuehne+Nagel.

Kuehne+Nagel national contract logistics director Murray Gascoyne, says: “Following four years of partnership with Leonardo Helicopters UK, we’re delighted that the single-site fulfilment centre has been officially opened.

“Our shared strategic vision has come to fruition. This has been founded on, and testament to, our unwavering commitment to sustainability, the development of people skills and the power of collaboration. We are very proud to be part of the Yeovil community.”