Bidders for the airport鈥檚 four logistics centres come from all regions of the UK
Heathrow Airport鈥檚 plans to create off-site manufacturing hubs for its 拢16bn expansion programme has attracted expressions of interest from 121 bidding sites.
The airport operator invited bids for four logistics centres in April to support construction of the planned second runway.
The bidders come from all regions of the UK (see map below), reflecting Heathrow鈥檚 plans to 鈥渄ecentralise the supply chain鈥�.
The airport said a short list of potential sites is expected to be announced later this year, and suitable locations will have to demonstrate the 鈥減ositive economic impact鈥� the hub will have in their area as well as 鈥済ood connectivity, access to a relevant supply chain, strong local skills, support in their region and adequate facilities鈥�.
Heathrow has already agreed that one hub will be based in Scotland in a Memorandum of Understanding with the Scottish Government.
The proposed hubs will pre-assemble components off-site before transporting them in consolidated loads to Heathrow as and when they are required.
Expansion programme director Phil Wilbraham is aiming for between 25% and 40% of the second runway scheme to be built offsite, and believes this will reduce the number of its peak on-site workforce from 14,000 to 10,000.
Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye said: 鈥淓xpanding Heathrow is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to really boost growth across Britain, and not just with more capacity at the nation鈥檚 hub airport, but from building it.
鈥淢ore than100 communities across Britain have put themselves forward to host one of our pioneering logistics hubs and we couldn鈥檛 be more impressed by the applicants.
鈥淭ogether we鈥檒l build an expanded Heathrow, boosting growth outside London, leaving a world-class construction legacy for the UK and delivering expansion faster, cheaper and with less impact on our local communities.鈥�
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