Blackbrook announces funding of a Build to Suit automotive logistics facility in the Netherlands

Long-term triple-net leased to the largest automotive retailer in Benelux, Van Mossel Groep

The transaction marks Blackbrook’s first investment in the Netherlands, a core logistics market in Europe

Upon completion the facility is expected to achieve a BREEAM Very Good certification

London, 26th October 2021 – Blackbrook Capital (Blackbrook), a European independent real estate investment firm focusing on mission-critical commercial property, announced that it has committed to fund the Build to Suit development of a 130,000 sqm automotive logistics facility in the Netherlands.

Upon completion, the facility will be leased to Van Mossel Automotive Groep (Van Mossel), subject to a long-term triple-net lease.

The facility is being developed in the Tilburg-Waalwijk region by Van Mossel, to consolidate its automotive distribution platform and corporate HQ in one central location. The facility will process all vehicles handled by the group, not only for the Netherlands, but also neighbouring markets of Belgium and Germany.

Tilburg-Waalwijk is considered the best logistics and distribution location in the Netherlands. It has excellent infrastructure covering the entirety of the Netherlands, as well as connecting the Port of Rotterdam, the largest and most important port in Europe, with major economies on the continent such as Germany. Large industrial-zoned land parcels are scarce in prime Dutch locations, with municipalities granting fewer and fewer permits with increasingly onerous conditions. This site will remain of strategic value for Van Mossel for the long term.

Van Mossel is the leading automotive retailer in Benelux and the seventh largest in Europe. The group provides a complete suite of client-focussed automotive services, including new and used car sales, repair & maintenance and leasing.  Through more than 300 dealerships, Van Mossel sells 35 car brands, with a dedicated platform for electric vehicles and is actively developing its electric leasing fleet.

Arvi Luoma, Co-Founder & CEO of Blackbrook, said: “Investing in the Netherlands has been a target in our strategy as we continue to expand our pan-European net lease portfolio. It is one of the strongest and most diversified economies in Europe and home to arguably the most important industrial and logistics markets on the continent.”

“The opportunity to partner with Van Mossel to develop their exciting new headquarters and distribution facility was compelling; a mission-critical long-term asset built with sustainability and employee wellbeing in mind. Van Mossel’s successful growth strategy has enabled them to become the leading automotive retailer in Benelux and one of the largest in Europe, and we look forward to supporting them further as their path continues.”

Eric Berkhof, General Manager at Van Mossel, said, “We are extremely pleased with our new partnership with Blackbrook. With such an important project for our company, we required a Build to Suit specialist who fully understood our needs and is closely aligned to our business ethos. We would like to thank Blackbrook’s highly efficient team for their ability to move quickly while we look forward to opening our new landmark headquarters facility in 2022.”