Bydgoszcz is gaining importance as one of the key warehouse and logistics centers in the country. It is also regarded as the preferred center in the province. This is confirmed by, among others, the recent investments of Zalando, a European fashion and lifestyle giant.
Experts, including those from the Bydgoszcz Regional Development Agency, explain that the phenomenon of the city’s logistics popularity is primarily due to its excellent location. The S5 express road is set to finally connect the coast with Silesia. The S10 road, on the other hand, is to connect Warsaw with Szczecin and ultimately connect our capital with northern Germany. Additionally, three key railway connections pass through Bydgoszcz: Silesia-Gdańsk, Warsaw-Szczecin, and Wrocław-Gdynia. And that’s not all. In Emilianowo, a logistics base is to be created for the Tri-City seaports: the Bydgoszcz Emilianowo Intermodal Terminal, which is to occupy about 5 hectares. Another important element is the Bydgoszcz Airport, which offers Cargo services.
Key customers
The advantages of Bydgoszcz’s location and the city’s demographic potential have allowed for the rapid development of the warehouse and logistics sector. The list of still emerging distribution centers includes: Lidl, Carrefour, Kaufland, Oponeo, and Coca-Cola, among others.
As we have already reported, it’s now time for another important client: Zalando. It is a leading fashion and lifestyle platform in Europe. The company was established relatively recently in 2008 in Berlin, but it already delivers its assortment to 46 million customers. A center was created in Białe Błota in our region, and another one is being built in Bydgoszcz. In total, over 4,000 jobs will be created here. The logistics center in Bydgoszcz will have an area of 140,000 square meters (including office buildings). It is set to open in the second quarter of 2023. The company shows that it cares about the environment. The buildings have or will have reinforced thermal insulation. Charging stations for electric cars and installations for collecting and redistributing rainwater will also be located here.
Why Bydgoszcz? Zalando authorities mention, among other things, the proximity to customers in Poland and other markets, the region’s labor potential, the location within close distance to the company’s other headquarters, which will allow for the expansion of the European logistics network. The platform is not only planning to invest in its brand but also promises to help renovate roads near its warehouses.
Developers also want to expand
Not only companies are investing in Bydgoszcz, but also developers of production and warehouse space. Hillwood has recently signed a loan agreement with Pekao Bank and received EUR 40.7 million for the construction of a logistics park. Previously, the bank financed the financing of other company’s investments in Warsaw, Góra Kalwaria, Rokitno, and Wrocław. The company has built over 19 million square meters of warehouse space, with over a million in Poland.
PVC Curtains for the logistics industry
Panattoni is planning to build additional warehouses in the vicinity of Bydgoszcz. Over the last 5 years, the developer has built 200,000 square meters of warehouse and office space. The company emphasizes that it is investing in Bydgoszcz primarily due to its favorable location between Warsaw, Poznań, and the Tri-City, as well as the support of the city authorities and the Bydgoszcz Regional Development Agency. Numerous logistics companies, including Nissin Logistics and DB Schenker, use Panattoni’s services. Oponeo and Inpost rent space here. The developer has built turnkey buildings for Kaufland and Carrefour. A distribution center on Mokra Street was put into use in the first quarter of this year. The building has over 30,000 square meters.
Still newcomers on the list
The list of customers of logistics parks is still growing. Stokrotka, a retail chain, has just rented 2835 square meters of warehouse space and 125 square meters of office space in the 7R Park Bydgoszcz I. A new Carrefour center has also started operation, which will serve 180 stores of this chain. Eventually, 300 people will work here. The distribution center itself has an area of 38,000 square meters. It is planned that it will distribute food products, beverages, and cosmetics to stores located in the eastern and northern parts of Poland.
In April 2021, the new Vet Expert logistics center started operating in Bydgoszcz. Specialists in supplements and cosmetics for dogs and cats operate on an area of 3,200 square meters. The company has been in operation for 12 years and sells its products in 30 countries.
Logistics: Present and Future
According to recent estimates, the warehouse space in Bydgoszcz is approximately 470,000 square meters. Plans are underway to build an additional 370,000 square meters. In planning and construction in neighboring municipalities, there are 435,000 square meters of logistics space.
Bydgoszcz universities are also adapting to the market situation. The Higher School of Banking is recruiting students for the “Cross-Border Logistics” program. Those who choose this course will learn, among other things, how to comprehensively manage the supply chain, negotiate contracts, and cooperate with logistics centers.
