BTS for H&M

H&M is one of the most recognizable brands of the so-called fast fashion in the world, ranked in the top ten in the Most Valuable Fashion Brands ranking (for 2022). The Swedish company is present in 75 markets around the world, and has over 4,000 brick-and-mortar and 54 online stores. The company has been following the path of sustainable development for years, especially in the context of ecology. In Poland, the brand is present in over 100 cities and has successful sales on the Internet. The scale and scope of H&M operations require advanced and adapted logistics and warehouses, which constitute its integral infrastructural component. These were provided by Panattoni.

The portfolio of Panattoni investments for the H&M clothing chain includes over 178,000 sq m of modern industrial space within three "tailor-made" BTS (build-to-suit) facilities and, as emphasized by Marek Dobrzycki, Managing Director, Panattoni, "an unusual adventure, which the developer can experience with his client".

Cooperation for years

It all started in 2006, when Panattoni set a record in the industry regarding the rental of warehouse space. It was 52,000 sq m for H&M at Panattoni Park Poznań, and a subsequent expansion by another 30,000 sq m. The importance of that project was reinforced by the fact that it was one of the most environmentally friendly investments at that time and the first in the developer's portfolio with a wide range of solutions regarding the concept of sustainable development. Solar panels were installed on the warehouse roof in order to heat water. In order to save energy, the facility was provided with improved access to natural light, and it was equipped with a rainwater recovery system. Most importantly, however,  no PVC or polystyrene were allowed to be used as materials to build the warehouse.

Since then, Panattoni has completed two more investments – a warehouse facility in Grodzisk Mazowiecki (37,400 sq m), from which the company serves over 400 stores in 9 countries, and BTS in Bolesławiec (approx. 60,000 sq m). The latter is a fully automated modern e-commerce logistics center, which has allowed to significantly increase the number of H&M customers served by the Internet channel and orders processed. The bloodstream of the warehouse is a huge, multi-level sorter, and the racks and stacker cranes of the  mini-load goods storage system alone occupy an area of nearly 17,000 sq m. The over 12-meter height of the warehouse allows for storing up to 600,000 boxes of goods.

On familiar terms with ecology

The facilities for Hennes & Mauritz, the Swedish clothing giant, were built in accordance with the principles of sustainable development – they are certified by the prestigious LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) system at the Silver level. No PVC or polystyrene was used in the construction of the warehouses. The facilities are constructed in such a way that the access of natural light is as high as possible. The use of numerous skylights and intelligent LED lighting enables significant energy savings during the day. The facilities also use special water distribution systems to reduce water consumption and recover rainwater. - "Thanks to the applied solutions, our buildings for H&M are not only environmentally friendly but also bring measurable benefits in terms of optimization of operating costs - sums up Marek Dobrzycki, Managing Director at Panattoni. He also emphasizes that the technologies used in the field of heating, insulation and lighting increase not only the energy efficiency of the building but also its usability.