Silesia's renewed industrial strength

A dense technical infrastructure and transport network is the main reason why many international concerns are deciding to locate their warehouses in Upper Silesia.

Within the last couple of years over 200,000 sqm of warehouse space has been constructed in the region by companies such as AIG Lincoln and Menard Doswell. In addition, Parkridge Distribution Center Silesia in Dąbrowa Grónicza and Prologis Park Chorzów, which will soon be completed, will have a total space of 140,000 sqm each.

"The total warehouse space can be even bigger because many companies construct warehouses just for their needs. Sometimes it is hard to say whether a warehouse is a logistics center or not, such as the one built by Schenker in Pyskowice," says Agnieszka Piszczek, the author of Metropolis Nieruchomości Komercyjne's report on investment locations in Upper Silesia.

According to the report, Silesia's potential stems from the region's industrial past. The boom in logistics space is the result of the area's favorable location and the fact that it has the densest road and railway infrastructure in Poland. Its proximity to the Czech industrial regions and the fast-developing northern regions of Slovakia is also an advantage. Piszczek emphasizes the essential role of heavy industry in the region, as well as the strong position of the automotive industry.

"Foreign investors as well as Polish entrepreneurs from outside Silesia coming to the region contrast the image of 'black Silesia' with a picture of a modern [and] green region," says Marek Wollnik, managing director at Metropolis Nieruchomości Komercyjne.