The process to choose the offsite logistics hubs that will play a key role in the construction of a third runway at Heathrow Airport has begun.

The Heathrow Logistics Hub programme has started a pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) process, giving 65 potential hubs until 18 January 2019 to showcase why they should be involved ahead of the selection of a shortlist.

Expansion programme director Phil Wilbraham told CM earlier this year he expected to announce the four or five successful bidders in Q2 2019.

Airport delegates have already toured facilities across the country and will consider factors such as location, transport links, local skills and supply chain, size, regional expertise and business plans in their decision. 

Heathrow will also examine each site’s ability to work with three other locations to deliver the third runway.

The sites will either be assembling components for the expanded airport or serving as a consolidation centre for these loads before they are transported to Heathrow helping to reduce the project’s impact to local communities.

The decision to use offsite hubs came after research by WPI Economics revealed that integrating an offsite manufacturing supply chain into a major project has the potential to reduce the overall cost of the project by as much as 25% while speeding up delivery by up to 30%.

Of the potential sites, 50 are existing or functioning sites, many of which are already experienced in delivering major projects. The other 15 sites are either undeveloped or proposed facilities with the potential for additional flexibility and customisation, essentially allowing for these sites to be built for purpose.

This news coincides with the latest stage of the search for Heathrow’s Innovation Partners, launched earlier this year, which will see 37 companies submit their business cases explaining how their ideas could potentially help Heathrow deliver expansion efficiently, sustainably and affordably.

Heathrow’s executive director for expansion, Emma Gilthorpe said: “These responses will help us understand which sites will best work for the expansion programme as well as for future construction projects. 

“When we began this search last year, we were inspired by just how many locations up and down the country were interested in playing a role in delivering the third runway. This shows the great potential there is for offsite construction to revolutionise the way major infrastructure is delivered in the UK.”