Construction has started on a new logistics operations centre in Solihull, which will supply parts for the Jaguar Land Rover group (JLR) and lead to the creation of 400 jobs.

Planning permission was granted in 2017 for the 91,800m2 facility, which will be leased (as part of an 11-year deal) to JLR supplier International Automotive Components Group (IAC).

The latter will use the facility for manufacturing, assembly and sequencing, and to house departments including engineering, finance and IT (it currently supplies both components and interior trim for Land Rover and Ranger Rover models, built at the nearby Lode Lane plant).

When the project is completed in 2021, the warehouses on the site will cover an area equivalent to 13 football pitches.

JLR (www.jaguarlandrover.com) has said that the new facility is “critical to the long-term future of our UK manufacturing operations” and that it will improve the group’s efficiency, as well as road conditions for nearby residents.

“The project will deliver a range of operational and environmental benefits, including one million less HGV miles on Midlands roads.”

Manfred Gingl, IAC Group’s CEO, said: “We are a customer-centric company, which is why it was an easy decision for us to expand our operations near our customer’s production sites.

“IAC views the UK as a strategic market, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with JLR long into the future.”