“The completion of the new factory marks an important stage in the development of ZREW Transformatory. This investment will enable us to double our production capacity and expand the capabilities of the equipment we manufacture. The new plant is one of the most modern facilities of its kind in Europe; it meets the growing needs of the energy market and creates the conditions for the further development of our technological expertise. Remaining in Łódź is of particular significance to us. This is a city with which ZREW has been associated for almost 70 years; it boasts an experienced workforce, technical facilities and the potential to train future specialists,” says Grzegorz Sołtysiak, Chairman of the Management Board of ZREW Transformatory S.A.
The project was developed in close collaboration between Panattoni BTS and ZREW, considering the specific nature of the production process and the company’s development plans. The construction of the facility required the building’s structure and technical infrastructure to be adapted to the specific requirements of transformer production. Solutions enabling the safe movement of equipment weighing over 200 tonnes, as well as the execution of advanced assembly and testing processes, were of key importance.
“The construction of the factory for ZREW Transformatory demonstrates how vital it is to combine development expertise with an in-depth understanding of the client’s industrial processes. In this project, standard construction solutions were not sufficient – the facility had to be designed around transformer production technology, their dimensions and weight, as well as requirements relating to transport and testing. Together, we have created an infrastructure that meets ZREW’s current needs and provides the company with the space to further scale up its operations. It is precisely such projects that strengthen the potential of modern industry and demonstrate Panattoni BTS’s role in the development of advanced manufacturing investments,” says Marek Foryński, Managing Director at Panattoni BTS.
Advisers from JLL supported ZREW Transformatory throughout the process, from market research to negotiations, helping to align the investment’s objectives with the company’s long-term needs.
“Transformers weighing 200 tonnes and high-voltage test chambers leave no room for compromise. ZREW’s new production facility demonstrates that the BTS market in Central Poland has matured to the point where it can support truly advanced industrial production. From an adviser’s perspective, this also represents a completely different scale of work: we began by analysing a standard warehouse and ended up with a project in which every stage – the carefully considered and precise selection of the location, commercial negotiations and, finally, a precise work schedule – had to be tailored to the client’s very specific technological requirements,” adds Wiktor Lesiak, Senior Consultant in the Industrial and Warehouse Department at JLL.
The facility has been built in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and will undergo BREEAM certification at the Excellent level. The development is eligible for public support within the Łódź Special Economic Zone.
Łódź, whose development was driven for decades by the textile industry, has undergone a significant economic transformation, becoming a centre for modern manufacturing, including electrical appliances, household appliances and pharmaceuticals. ZREW’s new factory fits in with the city’s industrial tradition, whilst also forming part of broader economic activity in Central Poland – according to JLL data, demand for industrial space reached 545,000 sqm, the third-highest figure in the country. With a vacancy rate of 4.8% – below the national average – new supply is developing primarily in response to tenants’ specific needs. Of the 163,000 sqm of space currently under construction, only 10% is being built on a speculative basis, which highlights the predominance of investments secured by lease agreements, including projects tailored to the individual requirements of businesses, such as the BTS project for ZREW.
