The new production complex for Solina, which had its cornerstone laid today, enables a 25% increase in production volumes.
Today, in Laagri, Saue Municipality, the cornerstone ceremony for Solina’s new production complex took place. With a total investment of 27 million euros, this complex is set to employ 110 people. Kapitel, the developer, and Eventus Ehitus, the construction company, have partnered on this impressive 15,000 sq m energy-efficient Class A building, complete with a solar park, and designed/constructed to meet the Very Good rating in the BREEAM New Construction sustainability standard. This project meets all the prerequisites to become Estonia’s first new real estate development eligible for the SEB Group green loan. Kapitel will lease the building to Solina for a 20-year term, with completion scheduled for the summer of 2024.
The new complex, located at 15 Saue tee within the Gate Tallinn Industrial Park in Laagri, Saue Parish, will house Solina’s office, production unit, product development laboratory and warehouse. The cornerstone-laying ceremony was attended by Veiko Soome, Head of Solina Estonia; Holger Tilk, Head of Kapitel Logistics, the developer and owner; Lauri Kaska, Head of Eventus Ehitus, the general contractor; Andres Laisk, Mayor of Saue Rural Municipality; and Anu Arnover, Head of SEB Pank’s Real Estate Financing Department.
In the words of Veiko Soome, Head of Solina Estonia, “The new production complex represents a significant step in our company’s growth. This construction and production facility entails a 27 million euro investment and anticipates a 25% increase in production and turnover. Upon completion, the complex will employ 110 people, with an estimated need for an additional 20 jobs over the next five years.”
Holger Tilk, Head of Kapitel Logistics, added: “While an opportunity to develop a new production complex for an international group the size of Solina is a great compliment for our team, I’m particularly delighted that Solina shares our commitment to sustainability. This enables us to construct a building with energy consumption that is 10% lower than the energy efficiency class A limits. The building will adhere to the BREEAM Very Good rating, incorporate a substantial solar power plant on the roof, and rely on heat pumps for heating, significantly reducing its CO2 footprint. These features set a new standard in the industrial real estate sector, positioning this project as Estonia’s first new real estate development eligible for the SEB Group green loan.”
Mayor of Saue Rural Municipality Andres Laisk commented, “I am pleased that this collaboration ensures Solina remains an employer in this region after its relocation. This will help retain the local workforce and provide employees with job security without a significant increase in commuting. We hope this relocation will foster growth and development, attracting new residents to the region who seek proximity to their workplace.”
Anu Arnover, Head of SEB Pank’s Real Estate Financing Department, highlighted the exemplary cooperation between Solina and Kapitel Logistics. She noted that the tenant’s high standards have paved the way for an environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient production facility, offering employees a pleasant and functional work environment. “SEB’s focus is on financing environmentally friendly real estate projects, and we are delighted that Kapitel’s Solina production building may become Estonia’s first new real estate development eligible for the SEB Group green loan. This stands as an example where the client’s ambition and vision align with our own.”
Solina Estonia / Saue Production OÜ is part of the international food industry conglomerate Solina Group. Solina Group operates in 75 countries, with 38 factories worldwide producing seasoning mixes for globally recognised brands such as McDonald’s, KFC, and Taco Bell. The company employs over 3,400 people, and in 2022, its turnover exceeded 1.2 billion euros. Solina’s production unit in Estonia primarily serves the largest food industries in the Nordic countries, with more than 90% of its production exported.
OÜ Kapitel Logistics, which is part of AS Kapitel group, develops, owns and operates industrial and logistics real estate with current portfolio of two logistics centers with ca 60,000 m² leasable space located Rukki tee 1 and 5 at Rukki industrial park Rae parish and land plots with building rights at Rukki industrial park Rae parish and Gate Tallinn industrial park Saue parish. Tenants of Kapitel Logistics include among others Smarten Logistics, Eugesta Eesti, ON24 and Itella Estonia.