Work has officially started on the first building at West Midlands Interchange (WMI), a £2 billion logistics hub near Wolverhampton.

Carlsberg Britvic will occupy the new 220,000 sq ft depot, which is scheduled for completion in spring 2026 following a 37-week construction programme.

Main contractor Winvic Construction has been appointed by Logistics Capital Partners to deliver the two-storey facility, which will include 11,408 sq ft of office space.

The depot has been designed to meet stringent environmental standards, targeting BREEAM 'Excellent' and EPC A+ ratings, with features including heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and roofs fully optimised for solar panels.

The West Midlands Interchange site, located at Junction 12 of the M6, is being developed by Oxford Properties and Logistics Capital Partners.

When complete in 2034, it will span 734 acres and provide over 8 million sq ft of commercial space, becoming the UK's largest intermodal logistics park with units ranging from 200,000 to 1.2 million sq ft.

A dedicated rail hub will enable goods to be moved around the country by rail, supporting efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the logistics sector.

The development is expected to create 8,500 direct jobs and provide significant economic benefits to South Staffordshire, the Black Country and surrounding areas.

Winvic has already delivered infrastructure works at the site since 2023, including new roads, drainage systems and a 25-metre tunnel beneath the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

 The company has facilitated 18 industry placements and supported apprenticeships, with 41% of the workforce living within 30 miles of the site.

David Bodily, Property & Facilities Director at Carlsberg Britvic, said: "The West Midlands Interchange will play an important role in Carlsberg Britvic's logistics network, as the home to our West Midlands Depot serving customers throughout the region from Q4 2026."