Panattoni Europe is taking on another warehouse and manufacturing project in the build-to-own (BTO) formula. This one was commissioned by the German company Voss Fluid, leading provider of hydraulic coupling technologies and system partner in international mechanical engineering. The 10,555-square-metre project will be built on a 3.2-hectare site in Nowa Wieś Legnicka, at the Legnica Special Economic Zone (LSSE). The project provides for future expansion of the factory. For now, the production hall will take up approx. 7,700 sqm and will be adapted to the company’s process installations, including compressed air and power supply. Moreover, the hall will have enhanced LED lighting up to 500 lux. Because of the planned installation of automated racking in the 1,500-square-metre warehouse section, Panattoni Europe will make sure flooring meets appropriate parameters in terms of loading capacity, flatness and thickness. The office section with staff facilities will take up approx. 1,200 sqm, which means that as many as 150 new jobs can be created in the new factory at full build-out. The transaction was mediated by JLL. Completion of construction works is anticipated in March 2019.
Panattoni Europe’s most recent project for Voss Fluid is the first investment in Poland for the company, but its group already has a presence here. The factory will be built in the vicinity of its sister company – Voss Automotive, which has been in operation for nearly 15 years and is an important and steadily-growing investor in the region. According to Jarosław Bień Managing Director/Board Member Voss Fluid: “The overwhelmingly positive experience at Voss Group in running manufacturing operations in Poland led to our decision to build a manufacturing facility in close proximity of our sister company, and to engage one of the most experienced developers – Panattoni Europe”. He then adds: “Poland, and particularly Lower Silesia, has a highly qualified and versatile workforce, as well as business infrastructure which is perfect for our needs, particularly as support for our main operations in Germany. That is why, during the initial stage of operations at the factory, we are planning to employ 100 people”.
Voss Fluid, choosing Panattoni Europe to build its factory in Poland, relied on the developer’s many years’ experience, skills and market knowledge. According to Marek Foryński, Managing Director BTS Group at Panattoni Europe: “A BTO investment process often involves many different tasks – from following all the legal and administrative procedures, to supervising construction, acceptance of the finished facility and delivery to the customer. The developer is also responsible for advising the client at every stage of the investment, including the planning process. That is why I wish to thank Voss Fluid for the job and giving us the opportunity to take on such an interesting project”.
Panattoni Europe was the first in Poland to recognise the need for developing industrial projects designed according to the guidelines of individual clients. Such investments are implemented for clients who have personalised needs, as e.g. in the case of manufacturing facilities, whereas projects built for the client to own are one of the options available in the developer’s extensive product range. Recent projects implemented in the BTO formula include the savoury snacks factory for Intersnack Poland, currently under construction, as well as completed projects: a silicate board factory for the Danish company Skamol A/S and the Bombardier Transportation factory making modern body shells for passenger trains.