A look at the collaboration between OpenBox and GLD with Pascal Dominois, Director of Operations at GLD 

Why did you choose OpenBox?
When consultation began at the beginning of 2016, it seemed to us that OpenBox, as a company, was too young and was not, therefore, a credible option for us. But OpenBox insisted on delivering an offer, they were extremely motivated!
For our part, we wanted to assess the proposal of the contractor with whom we were already working. We were surprised by the gap between both prices. The determination of the team, indeed its obligation to succeed in the operation, convinced us. We decided to trust them. And we have no regrets!

How would you describe your experience with Co Design&Build?
The Co Design&Build meetings were very reassuring and they enabled us to move forward with the project together as a whole. Reports on accounting, planning, costs, everything was reviewed each month. A completely different way of working. We were able to see that the OpenBox strategy didn’t involve margin recovery but was more concerned with information sharing and collaboration. When issues arose (which inevitably occur on such projects), they were discussed and resolved. Everything was done progressively as we moved forward, in a collaborative way. When you don’t discover things too late, you can’t suspect a hidden agenda.  So tensions are quickly dissipated.
Given the highly competitive circumstances and the consensual efforts made during the negotiation, the “shared savings” at the end of the operation were limited, but the transparency was a reality that made the offer unique.
Objectively, this transparency and collaboration allowed us to conduct this operation in a relaxed and constructive way, until the snagging list was resolved. Throughout the entire project, we felt supported.
 
Are you satisfied?
Of course, because the timing and the price were kept in check and the building is consistent with what we wanted!
Our new 24,000 m² tool means we can work with large industrial clients, who are careful about the handling of their goods (like Rolls-Royce Civil Nuclear, Hager, etc.). We offer them tailored solutions for storage, procurement, industrial packaging and transportation.
Whatever the sector (pharmaceutical, food, energy, mass distribution), our expertise in logistics and our set-up are the hallmark of our reputation, but our warehouses are a definite advantage: now when we tour the warehouses with our clients, the design quality wins them over.
The building is also scalable, as demonstrated by the 25-tonne-capacity overhead travelling crane, which are already being installed for our industrial packing and handling operations for large volumes.  We will therefore be able to offer integrated solutions under the same roof, in a high-end environment.

With more than 100,000 m² of logistics work in progress, OpenBox is diversifying into commercial buildings and the industrial sector. OpenBox has been awarded the contract to construct the new storage building for France Machines Outils, a specialist in new and used machine tools.
The France Machines Outils group is currently positioned as one of the major alternative solutions suppliers of equipement for sheet metal and mechanical engineering production. Established in 1987 in Vaulx-en-Velin, Lyon Machines Outils has decided to expand and move to Meyzieu to strengthen its operations in the Rhône-Alpes region. Construction is due to start in the summer of 2018 on the new premises, which will extend over 2300 m² and include a work area equipped with a 25-tonne bridge crane and 375 m² of offices/common areas.

The new building, which is ideally located in the centre of road and motorway traffic routes and integrated into a European-wide logistics area, will enable the BBL Group to house its three companies under one roof and to enhance performance and quality.  The building will extend over 18,000 m² and include 2 logistics units, 1 parcels unit, 1600 m² of offices and common areas on 3 floors. It will be certified BREEAM Good for its environmental performance. The premises were acquired prior to completion of construction (VEFA) by AEW.
One of the key challenges involved was to ensure that BBL Group's shipping customers continued to receive the same level of high-quality service as they had previously enjoyed. OpenBox won the tender based on its competitiveness and strong commitments, especially in terms of financial guarantees and lead times. The company was able to support its customer's real estate strategy and take the necessary risks to successfully complete the project.
Co Design&Build customarily enables  project savings to be shared between OpenBox and its customer. For this project, Pierre Charvin requested that OpenBox substitute the sharing of savings for the refurbishment of the group's current building before the end of its lease. 

And this deserves some explanation! In June 2017, OpenBox delivered Jadéo's e-commerce platform: deguisetoi.fr. After a few months, its financial statements were prepared and certified. From the beginning, Jadéo had decided to construct its building with Co Design&Build, an innovative collaborative method: information and decisions are transparent and shared throughout construction, and savings made during the project's design/build are shared according to a pre-determined distribution chart. Jadéo has already received the first instalment of the savings and the second will arrive in the autumn.
This demonstrates that parties' interests can be reconciled, and that positive synergies can be established between the builder and the customer. Everyone wins with Co Design&Build!