The biggest rises in demand for warehouse space were in Poznan (118,500 m² of warehouse space was leased in H1 2007, comparing with 118,000 m² in 2006), Upper Silesia (165,000 m² leased in H1 2007, and 167,000 m² in 2006) and the Warsaw area (210,000 m² in H1 2007, 280,000 m² in 2006). Demand was generated mainly by logistics operators and retailers.

Poland’s modern warehouse stock currently stands at a total 3.15 million m², showing 43% year-on-year growth, with a further 1 million m² under construction. The most active warehouse construction regions are Warsaw (290,000 m² under construction), Upper Silesia (250,000 m²), Central Poland (180,000 m²), and Poznan (170,000 m²). Warsaw remains Poland’s dominant warehouse market, with a total stock of 1.7 million m², accounting for 54% of the country’s modern warehousing.

Ferdinand Hlobil, Partner and Head of Cushman & Wakefield’s Central European Industrial Department, said, “Poland is currently one of Europe’s most dynamic warehouse markets. The country is clearly benefiting from its location on the main transport routes between Western Europe and Russia, as well as the Balkans and Scandinavia, its size, geographically and in terms of population, and the availability of modern industrial space at relatively low rents. In addition, development has been boosted by improvements in the transport infrastructure, in particular in the motorway system. Occupier demand is being driven by logistics operators, as well as retailers from Germany and the Nordic countries relocating their operations to Poland.”

After the analysis of lease transactions of H1 2007, the leading developers in terms of the volume of leased space are ProLogis and Panattoni (almost 30% of total demand each). They are also building the biggest number of warehouses at the moment. ProLogis has still the leading market position in terms of the volume of existing warehouse space with a 35% share in the existing stock in Poland.

Cushman & Wakefield was involved in the leasing of nearly 100,000 m² of warehouse space in H1 2007, equating to more than 15% of total leasing transactions.

Source: Cushman & Wakefield