What’s the most important feature at every logistics facility? Many logistics reaI estate operators would agree it’s the employees who work inside. More than 150,000 people work under Prologis roofs in Europe, and their environment has never been more important. Labour trends impact recruitment and location strategies, and sourcing a loyal workforce is becoming more difficult.
How can logistics real estate owners help attract, train and retain a loyal labour force? The Prologis research and strategy team identified four different approaches:
1. Better Transport Connections
An efficient and comfortable commute appeals to employees. Approaches to improve commutes can span from developing and expanding bike paths and bus shuttles to mobile apps to encourage employee car sharing.
2. More and Higher-Quality Amenities
Amenities are key to attracting and retaining labour, particularly as qualifications increase. Addressing amenities can take shape in variety ways: providing access to a variety of quality food, social and recreational areas, and offering supplemental support.
3. Logistics Career, Community Commitment
Park newsletters, narrow casting screens and organized events, such as football tournaments, bolster a sense of community, loyalty and team spirit. Internships for students studying logistics at bachelor and master levels signal a commitment to future generations.
4. Improvement of Building Characteristics
The basic component for a pleasant and healthy workplace is comfort. Most investments are focused on the asset itself, including upgrades to lighting (specifically LED), improved ventilation and an increased focus on safety.
At Prologis, it is our goal to help our customers attract, train and retain a loyal labour force. In order to do so, we have invested in numerous initiatives at logistics parks and single facilities across Europe. “A prime example for investments that benefit the employee inside the facility is Prologis Park Tilburg DC5, a distribution center designed according to the WELL Building Standard,” said Dirk Sosef, vice president, research and strategy, Prologis Europe. “The WELL Building Standard focuses on seven human-oriented categories of building performance: air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind. Offering a pleasant working environment like this helps our customers to be an attractive employer.”
Prologis is making strides to attract employees and increase retention at other logistics properties across Europe. One way we do this is by providing access to a wide variety of quality foods. For example, in Venlo in the Netherlands, food trucks serve employees during lunch breaks. In Unna, Germany, waffles are made fresh for employees during breaks. We offer BBQ areas in a logistics park in Hungary and coffee bars in a park in Italy. Sports are a proven way to clear the head, which is why we offer access to gyms and various physical activities, such as football or basketball, in some of our logistics parks. Additionally, we provide supplemental facilities for truck drivers—such as hotels, restaurants and showers—in Slovakia.
If you want to learn more about retaining labour, take a look at our white paper.