The new facility makes WFS – a member of the SATS Group - Madrid’s largest independent cargo handling provider, increasing its total cargo footprint at the Spanish hub by 60%.
WFS now benefits from 17,000m2 of space at Madrid, to support the growing volumes of its client base of 65 airline customers as well as providing expansion opportunities. In the last 12 months, WFS has renewed cargo contracts in Madrid with customers including Air China, Air Europa, Etihad Airways, Pegasus, Turkish Airlines and World2Fly, and signed new agreements with CMA CGM and TAAG Angola Airlines.
“It is a proud day for WFS to be opening another state-of-the-art cargo handling facility in the EMEAA region. New cargo terminals provide us with the opportunity to embrace our sustainability and digitalisation programmes from day one of the operation. This facility demonstrates our long-term commitment to Madrid and our current and future customers serving this growing airport,” said John Batten, CEO of WFS EMEAA.
WFS has signed a 30-year lease on the new building, which sits on a 12,500m2 site with 6,500m2 of warehouse, connected to the airport tarmac. The building provides WFS and its customers with, among other things, 17 landside truck/van docks, a secured refrigerated cargo acceptance area, and 2-8°C and 15-25°C temperature-controlled cool rooms for pharma and perishable shipments. It also features a material handling system connecting the landside and airside docks, optimised security systems and technologies, including 24/7 CCTV monitoring, and modern office accommodation.
The new building is located alongside the main freighter parking area and close to Terminals 4 and 4S, shortening cargo transport times. It has also been designed to support WFS’ commitment to sustainability and digitisation.
The warehouse is powered by 100% renewable energy which provides the LED lighting supply, warehouse climatisation, and electric battery chargers for cars and warehouse GSE. Indoor AGVs (automated guided vehicles) will also be introduced in the second half of 2024.
The new facility uses Cargospot mobile warehouse technology, the CargoKiosk digital system to automate and expedite truck processing times, and a warehouse workflow monitoring system to meet customer KPIs and ensure consistent levels of efficiency.
