Tritax buys Kellogg’s distribution facility

The Board of Tritax Big Box REIT has announced that it has acquired a distribution facility at Trafford Park, Manchester, let to Kellogg Company of Great Britain Limited, whose ultimate parent is the Kellogg Company. The purchase price is GBP23.5 million (excluding purchaser’s costs), reflecting a net initial yield of 5.9% on the asset acquisition. The purchase is being funded from equity proceeds, with senior debt finance expected to be introduced in the near term.

The property is one of three distribution and production facilities located at Trafford Park, Manchester let to Kellogg’s and is in close proximity to its production facility at Barton Dock Road, Trafford Park, which is the Kellogg Company’s largest manufacturing facility in Europe and where it manages its national and some international operations. The asset was built to a high specification in 2007 and includes an eaves height of c.15 metres, offices and extensive parking and loading facilities. The facility has also benefited from significant capital investment including recent investment to improve racking efficiency. The facility has a gross internal floor area of 311,602 sq ft and a site cover of approximately 46%.

Trafford Park remains one of the largest and most successful business parks in Europe with one of the highest concentration of industrial and logistics facilities in the UK, principally due to its excellent rail, shipping and airport connectivity together with its proximity to the greater Manchester conurbation. It has a dedicated rail freight terminal, which is the largest in the North West, running straight through to mainland Europe, direct access to the M60 and the Manchester Ship canal and Manchester International Airport.

The property is being acquired with an unexpired lease term of approximately 1.75 years with a passing rent of GBP4.50 per sq ft and a capital value cost equivalent to approximately GBP75 per sq ft.

Colin Godfrey, Partner of Tritax, commented: “Kellogg’s is a world class company and we are delighted to add them to the very strong list of tenants in our portfolio. Trafford Park is a prime logistics location where we already own the L’Oréal distribution facility. The initial yield is accretive to our portfolio running yield and the short unexpired lease term presents an opportunity for value enhancement. This investment is highly reversionary, providing the potential for significant rental uplift upon re-letting or lease re-gear.”

BBOX : Tritax buys Kellogg’s distribution facility