REEBOK has marked the start of construction work on its new 360,000 sq ft warehousing and distribution centre at Trafford Park, Manchester with an official "ground-breaking" ceremony.

The new centre is part of a plan to integrate Reebok's distribution operations with its parent company, Adidas, which bought the Bolton-based sportswear specialist for £2.1 billion in 2005.

Building work on the 15.7 acre site is scheduled for completion in November.

It is planned that the new centre will become operational in early 2008, when it is proposed that all products produced by the Adidas group, which includes Reebok and fashionwear specialists Rockport, will be dispatched from there.

The Trafford Park warehouse will include 20,000 sq ft of office space and parking for 260 cars and 60 lorries. It will be set within a highly landscaped environment where 425 trees are to be planted.

Reebok and Adidas worked with developer, St Modwen Properties, through its joint venture company Key Property Investments, to ensure that the high specification site will be delivered within challenging deadlines.

Kath Smith, managing director of Reebok UK, said: "The development of this state-of-the-art warehouse facility provides further evidence of our investment in, and commitment to, the best possible service to our customers."

Paul Suchoparek, operations director for the Adidas group, said: "This is our very first integrated warehouse facility, which will give us the opportunity to provide an improved service to our customers by centralising our distribution functions for both Adidas and Reebok.

"We are extremely pleased to be starting work so quickly."

Bill Oliver, St Modwen's chief executive, said: "We are delighted to have attracted such a high-profile company to Trafford Park Estate, particularly as it was in the face of stiff competition.

"Our professional team performed extremely well to meet a challenging timescale and the local authority responded positively, which helped us win this major job creating opportunity."