New sustainable facility for Nippon Express inaugurated at Brussels Airport

Nippon Express chooses Brussels Airport as a European pharma gateway 

A new logistics facility for Nippon Express has been officially inaugurated at Brussels Airport. The new facility spans 10,000 square metres, including approximately 2,000 square metres of temperature-controlled warehouse space. The new building was constructed entirely with sustainable materials and methods by Brussels Airport Company and marks the first development in the broader redevelopment of the Brucargo Central area. Brucargo Central, located at the heart of the airport's cargo zone, will be fully completed in the coming months, covering a total area of 34,000 square metres. During the inauguration, Nippon Express also announced its choice for Brussels Airport as a European pharma gateway. This confirms Brussels Airport's status as leading European hub for pharma logistics. 

Nippon Express today officially moved into its new facility at Brucargo Central, located within the Brussels Airport cargo zone. With this new facility, the logistics company is doubling its operational warehouse space, expanding from 5,000 to 10,000 square metres. Of this, 2,000 square metres are equipped for temperature-controlled storage, essential for safely handling time-sensitive goods like pharmaceuticals. Alongside the warehouses, the facility provides the necessary offices and workspaces for the company. The opening of this new facility confirms Nippon Express's decision to choose Brussels Airport as a key European pharma gateway for the company, in line with the airport's position as a leading pharma hub in Europe. 

This expansion in scale enables us to better meet the growing demands of our customers and allows for further specialisation. Our three existing buildings have been consolidated into our new building. This helps strengthen cooperation between our teams and boosts logistics efficiency. As a Japanese logistics provider, we are also committed to continuously improving our processes in line with the kaizen principle. This involves systematically appealing to  common sense to reduce costs, enhance quality, shorten delivery times, and improve customer satisfaction. Similarly, the omotenashi principle, which emphasises sincere and attentive service with the customer always at the centre, is also given the space it deserves," said Michael Kamm, Managing Director of Nippon Express Belgium. 

The new building is part of the wider redevelopment of Brucargo Central. Brussels Airport's development of the zone began in 2022 with the demolition of outdated buildings. The construction of new warehouses and offices, which will house five cargo partners, is expected to be completed this summer. This project is being carried out in line with Brussels Airport's sustainable development strategy, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, alongside BREEAM-Excellent certification. The use of the available space has been optimised, resulting in a 30% increase in storage capacity and a 20% expansion of green areas. The redevelopment also provides more room for pedestrians and cyclists, contributing to a pleasant overall working environment. 

“Nippon Express has been a trusted partner at Brussels Airport for over 40 years. We are therefore particularly pleased that by moving into this new facility they not only reaffirm our long-term commitment but also choose Brussels Airport as a European pharma gateway for their activities. As an airport, we recognise the importance of providing state-of-the-art infrastructure to our partners. With this new facility in the heart of Europe, Nippon Express not only strengthens its position as a central player in air cargo but also plays a crucial role in advancing Brussels Airport’s development as a leading pharma hub in Europe," said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. 

Nippon Express is a key link in the trade between the European Union and Japan. With a wide range of global logistics services across numerous sectors, the company has established a strong presence at Brucargo in recent years. With a European pharma gateway at Brussels Airport, Nippon Express will be able to provide its European pharma and life sciences customers with enhanced end-to-end capabilities within a unique ecosystem. 

The move into the new facility reflects Nippon Express' ambition to expand, with a particular focus on the pharma and life sciences sectors, and to actively contribute to the ecosystem at Brussels Airport.  

"The expansion investment by this Japanese logistics provider in Flanders highlights the significant advantages we offer to foreign investors," said Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele. "We are living in uncertain economic times, but our strategic location, strong logistics infrastructure, globally renowned innovative spirit, and dedicated workforce continue to attract investors. Flanders is, now more than ever, open for business." 

"Nippon Express is a prime example of international business. In the context of the Japan’s World Expo 2025, we also visited the company's demo centre. There, we were introduced to its new showroom logistics centre, equipped with AI and IoT technology to enhance logistics efficiency and labour-saving logistics processes," explained Kris Claes, Managing Director of Voka Chamber of Commerce Flemish Brabant.