The logistics property asset class is traditionally divided into “Big Box” and “Light Industrial.” “Big Box” generally refers to halls over 10,000 m² suited to conventional logistics companies, for example with loading docks and ground-level access. “LIGHT INDUSTRIAL” usually describes halls under 10,000 m² in business parks with an attached office building. There is no clear dividing line or definition.

Demand for both asset classes has been rising for years. A further marked increase began in 2019 with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns and access restrictions fueled online retail, which depends on a corresponding logistics infrastructure. The challenge is that few industrial sites remain in the densely populated state of North Rhine-Westphalia. By combining strong regional contacts, an international network, and staff specialized in the logistics market and operators’ specific requirements, Brockhoff knows before other market participants where space is becoming available and can market it quickly. “In core locations such as the Ruhr region, finding logistics space over 10,000 m² is like looking for a needle in a haystack. We know the market participants well and know where space will become available, so we can always offer clients targeted solutions,” says Brockhoff Managing Director Tobias Altenbeck, summing up the logistics property market in North Rhine-Westphalia.