Panattoni Europe to build a logistics centre for Sanden Manufacturing Poland – approx. 6,500 sqm in Polkowice

Panattoni Europe, Poland’s leader in industrial real estate, has laid the cornerstone to mark the beginning of the construction of a logistics centre for Sanden Manufacturing Poland. The investment featuring approx. 6,500 sqm is underway in Polkowice, next to the existing manufacturing plant, with which it will be connected by a passageway. The contract was brokered by the international advisory firm Colliers International.

Panattoni Europe has commenced the construction of a BTS logistics centre for Sanden Manufacturing Poland. The official cornerstone ceremony took place on 15 September 2016. The event was attended by the representatives of both companies, Colliers International, the general contractor MIRBUD S.A., as well as the representatives of local authorities: the Mayor of Polkowice – Wiesław Wabik, and the Staroste of Polkowice – Marek Tramś.

Sanden Manufacturing Poland is a subsidiary of a Japan-based holding company SANDEN – a global manufacturer of air-conditioning compressors for the automotive industry. The investment totalling nearly 6,500 sqm – which can be further expanded by another approx. 3,300 sqm – will be erected in Polkowice at the Legnica Special Economic Zone. The facility will be divided into a warehousing section with 6,211 sqm and office and staff facilities with 268 sqm. The warehouse will fulfil orders for the largest automakers, including Volkswagen, GM, Ford, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover and McLaren. It is anticipated that the facility will be commissioned in January 2017, and the first shipments will leave the warehouse the following April. The transaction was mediated by the international advisory firm Colliers International.

It is no accident that Sanden Manufacturing Poland will lease industrial space in Polkowice. The new investment is being developed next to the existing manufacturing facility and will be Sanden’s first logistics centre in Europe. The factory and the warehouse will be connected by a passageway for transporting goods, a part of which will run overhead. Marek Foryński, Managing Director of BTS Group at Panattoni Europe confirms: “The modern complex will enable Sanden to handle its goods in a flexible and efficient manner. Thanks to the numerous developments under our belt, including warehouse facilities as well as investments for the automotive sector, we have been able to offer solutions precisely matching the Client’s needs. The project can also serve as a perfect example of our diversified solutions in terms of the facility ownership structure: some of the space will be owned by Sanden, while the rest will be delivered under a lease.” The Sanden manufacturing facility has been in operation since 2005. Its more than 40,000 sqm is used mainly for manufacturing processes involving high-pressure aluminium die-casting for compressor housings, machining of aluminium moulds and pistons and assembly of complete compressors. The construction of the warehouse in Polkowice is an important and strategic decision in the company’s development. The project is led by Joanna Patera, Logistics Manager at Sanden Manufacturing Poland, who comments: “Sanden is growing dynamically and winning new clients in the automotive sector. The main goal behind this project is to optimise and streamline logistics processes in Europe, so as to be able to meet the needs and expectations of our clients.” Łukasz Pańczyk from the Logistics & Industrial Space Department of Colliers International, responsible for the transaction, adds: “Even though Sanden has been manufacturing compressors in its own facility in Polkowice for many years, they have now decided to operate the logistics centre under a long-term lease. The structure of the transaction seems to follow the current trends observed in the industrial space market. Many investors are considering the option of leasing industrial facilities, and developers are ready to venture out of the main warehousing markets in this regard.”

Lower Silesia is one of the fastest growing and most industrialised regions in Central Europe. Properties at the Legnica Special Economic Zone enjoy a strategic location in the triangle represented by Prague, Warsaw and Berlin. The investment site is conveniently communicated with the A4 motorway, which connects Eastern Poland with the country’s western border. Polkowice also lies on the national road S3, part of the international route E65, running across Europe from north to south. Such well developed infrastructure will facilitate goods transport. Sanden’s logistics centre will ship goods to countries including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic and Hungary (plus China). Additionally, an industrial railway line also runs along the Polkowice municipality, serving businesses operating in the region.