As early as mid-2020, the comprehensive logistics services provider will move its operations over to the tailor-made 50,000 square meter office and warehouse facility. This significant investment marks the largest transaction in the Silesian logistics property market of the year so far.

In the center of Upper Silesia

Importantly for Raben, the site is located in the heart of the Silesian agglomeration. The Dutch company doesn’t only want to base its operational activities here, but build up presence in the region. The new facility will provide approx. 450 jobs, including 340 for warehouse staff on a three shift rotation. Moreover, the new building will have a 2,100 square meter, three-floor office, housing 110 employees in an open-space work area, with comfy conference rooms and a cafeteria. “We are pleased to see that our partnership approach resulted in such an interesting and unique project” – said Piotr Brycki, leasing manager, Prologis Poland.

Colliers International facilitated in securing this transaction. “We worked closely with our customer to deliver a site in a precisely defined location, bearing in mind dry storage and temperature control requirements.  It is so far the biggest transaction in the Silesian warehouse sector this year,” explains Maciej Chmielewski, Senior Partner and Logistic and Industrial Areas Manager at Colliers International.

Customized

This project is a great example of tailored development, designed to meet specific needs and designated functions. For instance, the office building at the entrance to the facility will be directly connected to the high-rack storage area (12.4 m height). Pallet storage is also optimized and situated away from high traffic areas, outside in a purpose-built covered shelter.

Since the warehouse is mostly intended for food storage and handling the design includes LED lightning, a temperature-controlled area (14–18°C), and cooling installations. To optimize warehouse processes, the first line of pillars in the hall has been moved back, while system racks and forklifts are automated through a closed induction loop. The whole space will meet the requirements of NFPA.  

Environmental-friendly solutions = savings

Prologis Park Ruda Śląska will adhere to the strictest parameters of sustainable development. Like all new Prologis developments, the building will be submitted for BREEAM accreditation at the level of Very Good.

The facility will feature back-up electricity generators, capable of covering 120 percent of demand, an in-house gas boiler plant to heat the offices and social and environmental sustainability aspects built into the design. Increased natural lighting options will further drive down energy costs and at the same time, help raise employee satisfaction as well. Thanks to energy-saving measures like these, the building’s environmental footprint will not only be smaller, but operating costs will also be lower. Building management and maintenance solutions will also be implemented, such as smart metering to control and monitor consumption of utilities via mobile phone, from anywhere in the world.

Innovative right from the start

Similarly to developments in Łódź and Poznań, Prologis Park Ruda Śląska is designed with BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology, enabling Raben representatives to tour the site before construction began. With full 3D modelling and a database of all building-related information, ideas and plans can be evaluated on the basis of renderings instead of technical drawings. Through BIM modeling we’ve been able to show the future warehouse to Raben in all of its glory ahead of construction and present the planned solutions to ensure they fully satisfy all requirements.

“Raben Group has continued to expand in Silesia over the years. By opening our next distribution center in Ruda Śląska, we are able to make our presence and commitment felt in this region In addition to purely economic factors, Prologis’ reliable partnership approach played a vital role in the transaction: they understand our business profile and are open to our expectations, offering complex consultancy and a clear, shared vision. These elements are difficult to quantify and put into a chart, yet they are crucial when choosing the right partner” – said Marek Zychla, CEO at Raben Real Estate Poland.

Prologis Park Ruda Śląska is being developed on a 30-hectare site in the district of Kochłowice, located within the administrative limits of the city of Ruda Śląska. The site is conveniently located right next to the A4 motorway and 10 kilometers away from the A1 motorway. The total planned built-up area in the park will be almost 125,000 square meters.

Prologis