Retailers active in grocery, healthcare, consumer and diversified products will lead a sharp rise in demand for logistics real estate in the next two to three years as industries across the board implement lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and adapt their supply chains to the “new normal”, Prologis predicts in a new research report.

Element Industrial announced the launch of Eli Xpress, a new line of business based on the concept of proximity storage. Eli Xpress warehouses will offer areas between 6,000 and 12,000 square meters and will be located close to large cities, or even inside cities.

Romanian developer Global Vision has launched the developments of a new logistics park near Henri Coanda International Airport in Bucharest. Bucharest Airport Park will offer 13,520 sqm of space in two warehouses. The complex is being built on a 35,000 sqm land parcel, which the developer purchased last year for more than €5 million.

Panattoni will build a dedicated facility for Weber, US manufacturer of grills and accessories. The 50,000-square-metre BTS (built-to-suit) facility will be developed in Zabrze and the tenant will move into in August 2021.

Panattoni, in a joint venture with DH Capital, finalised the development of Panattoni Appliance Park worth €18 million. The 30,000 sqm park was delivered at Europe’s largest logistics complex – Central European Logistics Hub.

Due to the recent growth of interest in online shopping driven by the coronavirus pandemic, a leading logistics operator in Poland has decided to expand its warehouse footprint by leasing 15,000 sqm of temporary space in Prologis Park Piotrków Trybunalski I. Savills assisted one of e-commerce leaders in Poland in the leasing process.

Czech industrial developer Contera has obtained a syndicated loan from ČSOB and Komerční banka in the total amount of €155 million. Most of the funds will be committed to refinancing the developer’s portfolio of warehouses and production halls in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which are owned and operated by Contera together with US investment company TPG Capital. The remainder of the loan is allocated to the development of new projects.

Hillwood has started the development of a logistics park in Piekary Śląskie, near Bytom in Poland’s Upper Silesia region. Hillwood Piekary Śląskie, comprising more than 42,000 sqm, will be ready for use in Q4 2020. This is Hillwood’s third project in the Silesian province since the beginning of the year.

Gross demand in Q1 2020 was almost 950,000 sqm with new deals and expansions dominating the market. New space delivered in the first quarter of 2020 totalled 440,000 sqm. JLL summarised the situation on the Polish industrial market at the end of Q1 2020.

Panattoni has appointed Mathieu Giguere as Director for Key Accounts & New Business Development. He will be responsible for acquiring new business and markets in light of the dynamic growth in online trade.