3 + 1 ingredients of successful industrial development

One might say ‘halls’ – clearly defined, rational, geometric, efficient. A well-built hall is the foundation yet there is much more that makes industrial development successful. 

Let’s take a closer look at some of the aspects. 

P3 Jeřmanice © Goldbeck

1. Vision

When, a few years ago, the industrial developer P3 Logistic Parks chose one of the Vítkovice brownfields, a former raw waste disposal site, they had a much higher ambition than just another logistics complex. The empty spot on the map of Ostrava is to become a commercial and industrial district, and its layout and area of 40 hectares make this possible. But for the project to become part of the city, it needed an urban vision. This was provided by the Ostrava-based PROJEKTUDIO with architect David Kotek, just as the idea of building on the orthogonal connections of the surrounding buildings and the neighbouring industrial icons of the Lower Vítkovice area. 

The project has already undergone the first two stages of construction, and the mix of companies operating in the new halls confirms that the vision is being fulfilled. “The idea of P3 Ostrava Central is to create a space where production, logistics and services work side by side, complementing each other,” says Aleš Zacha, Head of Development and Acquisitions at P3, and continues: “We want business to thrive there, whether it is based on large engineering units or small trades.” Those who have already started their operations there include a beer distributor, a toy retailer, a handling equipment lessor, a wholesaler of refrigeration equipment, a newspaper company and a bed store. 

Over 40,000 sq m is immediately available for other companies in four halls, while smaller units can also be rented. The total built-up area is supposed to come to 155,000 sq m. The territory is gradually being fitted with new infrastructure, planted with greenery and equipped with outdoor fixtures and fittings for employees. The new district is already taking shape.

2. Location

The location represents the absolute key to the success of an industrial park and especially the business within. The proximity of the motorway network for freight transport must also meet the availability of labour and, of course, the appropriate designation of the land in the zoning plan.

If some location is doing well and further expansion is no longer possible, it is logical for the developer to look for opportunities in the immediate vicinity. This was also the case with the P3 Plzeň Myslinka park, which is located just a few kilometres from the P3 Plzeň Myslinka park in Nýřany, which is, due to its connection to the D5 motorway, popular especially with tenants from the logistics and automotive sectors. There is also a railway transshipment point nearby. 

“The park in Myslinka is a relatively new location. We managed to occupy the first two halls before they were completed. We smoothly followed up with the construction of the other two, both with an area of 8,730 sq m. They were completed this summer and are already available,” says Aleš Zacha, adding that there is also a project for a larger hall that they want to build to suit a specific tenant. 

Terrain can be a challenge, not an obstacle

The intersection of land availability, transport and workforce has recently intersected in the foothills of the Jizera Mountains. “Manufacturing companies in the Liberec Region are benefiting from the D10 motorway with a connection to the Mladá Boleslav car factory. Although the construction of the necessary industrial halls is complicated by the mountainous terrain there, we decided to accept this challenge,” explains Aleš Zacha. P3 invited Goldbeck to the technically demanding construction and partially sunk the 9 m high hall into the terrain. It was custom-built for ZF Automotive Czech, which develops and manufactures brake systems for leading world car manufacturers in nearby Jablonec nad Nisou. 

3. Municipality

Seven years ago, P3 began construction of P3 Lovosice at the transport hub between Prague and Dresden. This year, they completed the last building, which is currently being offered for rent. There are several logistics companies operating in the area, such as FM Česká, Impuls Logistics, and Ecologistics. It is also used by Mondi Štětí for storage and distribution of paper and packaging

materials, and Van Eupen’s employees are engaged in reverse logistics and electrical engineering services. In total, the tenants offer 500 job vacancies. 

The developer has been, from the beginning, working closely with the town of Lovosice and the adjacent municipality of Lukavec. “In cooperation with the local government, we strive to develop the potential of the location for leisure activities for local residents. We built an outdoor gym, contributed to a children’s playground, and this year we were happy to open a pump track. Every generation should find something for themselves,” says Aleš Zacha. Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and skates are already racing along the brand new track of the outdoor sports facility, designed and built by the specialized company Schneerstern. The undulating track with its banked turns is popular with enthusiasts from even further afield.

For more information see www.p3parks.com. 

Photo: P3 archive, Goldbeck and Vladimír Pryček

P3 Logistic Parks, the owner, administrator and developer of European industrial properties, has been investing in the construction of their parks for 20 years and they further continue to own, lease and manage them. It has therefore had a natural interest in their long-term sustainability from the very beginning.