Wickes Building Supplies has taken a ten-year lease – at a rent of about £7 per sq ft – on a 12,077sq m distribution warehouse on Maximate, Maxted Road, Hemel Hempstead, from the Co-Operative Insurance Society (CIS).

Pallet distribution network PalletFORCE has extended its central hub in Lichfield, Staffordshire, to meet its continued high level of growth.

Transport operator Simpson Bros has opened a new 3,720sq m distribution and warehousing centre on the Drum Industrial Estate, Birtley. The centre features a high bay warehouse and extensive trailer parking.

Finning (UK), the sole trader distributor of Caterpillar equipment in the UK, has announced major plans to extend its multimillion pound National Materials Handling Centre, in Crannock, Staffordshire.

Property adviser DTZ has kick-started the marketing campaign of Electrolux’s former logistics and manufacturing plant with the launch of the 10,250sq m property in Wollersdorf, near Vienna, Austria.

Insight Investment Management (IIM) has agreed to buy Beaumont Industrial Estate in Banbury, advised by GVA Grimley. Comprising a 17.2 acre manufacturing and distribution facility, the accommodation extends to 42,746sq m.

Rockingham Gate, which is part of Avonmouth’s Cabot Park, has been bought by newcomer Landmarq.

Celsius First, formerly Frigoscandia Distribution, has opened a new 8,000-pallet extension at its primary distribution facility at Portbury, Bristol. Built by construction company Bluestone, the extension was opened ahead of schedule following a 33-week b

Wilson Bowden Developments advised by FPDSavills and King Sturge, has secured two more tenants at Interlink Business Park, Junction 22 on the M1, Leicestershire.

The distribution industry is replacing manufacturing as one of London’s major employment generators, says industrial and distribution property provider ProLogis. The company is playing a pivotal role in the regeneration of the Thames Gateway.