SAGL turns logistic platforms

Founded in 1986 by Philippe Gallois and Dominique Lantez, the architecture firm of SAGL Associés began specialising in logistics platforms five years ago. “Although we also do a little wood architecture and interior architecture as well as Health and Safety projects (SPS) as a complement to our main projects, most of our business is concentrated on warehouses, factories, business properties and new or renovated offices buildings,” explains Philippe Gallois. And what is SAGL Associés’ specificity? “Promoting an ecological approach.”
The firm, which has ISO 9001 certification for its quality management and ISO 14001 certification for environmental management, has launched thirty initiatives “for the sustainable development of logistics buildings”. These include green roofs on offices, low water-consumption systems and photovoltaic panels on warehouses. “Each client is free to choose the initiatives he wishes,” explains Philippe Gallois, whose firm works in France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland for companies such as Pitch Promotion, FL Development, Gazeley and Panhard Development.

Paris-Dakar in a green car
“A growing number of town councils and certain developers use us because we take care to respect the environment.” It is certainly to their advantage since a warehouse with a surface area of 20 to 30,000 m² consumes the equivalent of 35,000 households in the space of twenty years. “In these conditions, it is worth carrying out a carbon audit and seeing how to lower CO² emissions,” adds Gallois.
SAGL’s eco-commitment is also reflected in its active participation in Afilog, an association for logistics property professionals. The association is currently working on a sustainable development charter that will lead to certification for logistics platforms that respect the environment.
A rally and trekking enthusiast, Philippe Gallois intends to take part in the Paris-Dakar rally next January in a green car that not only runs on biofuel but also has a biodegradable cockpit and was painted using ecological paint. The vehicle was designed with the support of Gazeley, a client of SAGL.
Its ecological positioning has resulted in robust growth for the firm. After recording a turnover of 2.5 million euros in 2006, it is counting on 3 million in 2007 and expects to recruit extra staff at a rate of two or three a year in the coming years. “We currently have a staff of 25 in Paris and 5 in Morocco” says Gallois. SAGL opened its Casablanca subsidiary three years ago. “With the imminent opening of the new Port of Tanger, I am convinced that Morocco is about to explode from a logistics point of view,” he adds. The firm has clearly not stopped growing yet.