A new partnership between global logistics real estate provider Prologis and East Midlands Airport (EMA) will lead to the development of an advanced manufacturing park within the East Midlands Freeport zone, with an anticipated investment of up to £1bn and the creation of 2,000 jobs.
The announcement was made by chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves during a speech at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire.
“Prologis and Manchester Airport Group [MAG] will work together to build a new advanced manufacturing and logistics park at East Midlands Airport, unlocking up to £1bn of investment and 2,000 jobs at the site,” said Reeves. “This represents a significant investment in the East Midlands and in the UK.”
MAG, which owns and operates EMA, selected Prologis as its partner for the development. The site, located south of the airport, is designated as an East Midlands Freeport tax site and will offer operators tax and customs incentives, including simplified import/export procedures.
Paul Weston, regional head of Prologis UK, commented: “The chancellor’s announcements highlight the government’s support for economic growth, reinforcing Prologis’ partnership with East Midlands Airport to facilitate investment at the nation’s only inland Freeport site.
“We are working to deliver a new advanced manufacturing and logistics park efficiently and in partnership.”
The project is expected to generate £132m in economic growth per year (GVA) and contribute £9m in additional business rates. A planning application for the park has been submitted to North West Leicestershire District Council.
As part of the partnership, Prologis will establish a dedicated logistics job training and education centre in Leicestershire, hosting the Prologis Warehousing and Logistics Training programme to equip local people with relevant industry skills.
The development will incorporate sustainability measures, with buildings designed to achieve net-zero regulated energy use in line with an EPC A+ rating. During construction, embodied carbon will be measured and mitigated following the UKGBC net-zero carbon framework.
EMA’s strategic location, strong motorway connectivity, and cargo capabilities make it a key hub for logistics. Prologis research forecasts double-digit growth in air cargo volumes by 2025, with EMA expected to see a 54% increase in cargo operations by 2043.
Steve Griffiths, managing director of EMA, welcomed the partnership: “This is an exciting step forward for growth in and around the airport, as our unrivalled cargo operation continues to attract investment to the region.”
Tom Newman-Taylor, CEO of East Midlands Freeport, also noted the importance of the project: “This is a positive first step in realising the full potential of the Freeport’s tax sites, which will be transformative for the East Midlands economy.”
With construction expected to begin soon, the new facility is intended to attract high-value manufacturing and logistics firms, supporting supply chain resilience and job creation in the region.
The development is expected to contribute to the East Midlands’ logistics and manufacturing sector and form part of a broader corridor of innovation across MAG’s airports in the North, Midlands, and South East England.
