Resilience and Solidarity: Prologis Supports Customers and Local Communities With the Help of its Employees… by Cécile Tricault, regional head Southern Europe, Prologis.
The unprecedented health crisis reminds us, if proof were needed, to what extent logistics plays a major role in our daily lives, especially during the lockdown.
Logistics industry players have experienced a paradox. On the one hand, the supply chain, however indispensable, has been put to the test. On the other hand, not all are faced with the same situation. Logistics players have had to deal with big variances in activity depending on the sector.
Given the unique situation, I wanted to provide you with an update on Prologis' activity during the crisis and the various solidarity measures we have put in place.
Resilience and solidity in response to the crisis
Like we all have, Prologis has also needed to adapt to a situation that for many was something straight out of science fiction. Above all, I’d like to wholeheartedly thank our employees who, whether working from home or in the field, continue to give 100% to meet our customers’ needs. This commitment has been essential for valued and necessary service continuity in these troubled times.
We approached this crisis with solid fundamentals. The work we’ve done over the last few years on optimising our services and logistics platform has enabled us to react calmly to the current situation - seen in our business update on April 6, 2020.
However, Prologis is not immune to the effects of the crisis: the near-total shutdown of activity in France and Southern Europe has, of course slowed operations, halting construction sites and raising customer caution when launching new projects. We expect a temporary short term decline in demand, which should return by early next year.
To learn more about the effects of Covid-19 on logistics real estate, I invite you to consult the studies published by our research team (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4, part 5) that will give you a more detailed view of the impact of this crisis.
Solidarity alongside local communities
Faithful to our commitments, and because in crisis situations we must be especially present, Prologis has reinforced its support for the communities most affected by the Covid-19 crisis. In this respect, Prologis France is proud to have continued its support for the Fondation Apprentis d'Auteuil. As for the Prologis Foundation, it has created a $5 million global fund to support non-profit organizations and associations. Within this framework, Prologis France has decided to support the Fondation de France in its "United Against the Virus" programme, as well as the Fédération Française des Banques Alimentaires and the Restos du Cœur to help everyone have access to food.
These actions are important: it is together that we will emerge from this moment stronger, more prepared than ever to face the challenges of tomorrow.
We know that the demand for logistics platforms will continue to evolve as consumer behaviour and supply chains change. After the lockdown the time of recovery will come, and rest assured that we are and will remain at your side to meet the challenges ahead.
Thank you for your continued trust, and take care of yourself and your loved ones.
Cécile Tricault,
Regional Head Prologis Europe du Sud