By the end of 2023, Accolade maintained a strong position in the warehouse market with 1.5 million sqm of leased space and under development across 27 modern parks throughout Poland. The investor also retained its leading status in several regions of the country, including West Pomerania, Kuyavian-Pomeranian and Podlaskie. The company remains dedicated to investing in initiatives that align with the principles of sustainable development, obtaining BREEAM certifications for its industrial parks and supporting local communities. In early 2023, the investor attained the first BREEAM Outstanding certification for an industrial building in Poland, with the year concluding with two additional warehouses in the country also receiving similarly high certifications.. One is located in Szczecin, and the other in Konin. The Accolade Group closed the year with 3.3 million sqm of leased and under development space, valued at 3 billion euros.
In 2023, Accolade consistently expanded the Polish warehouse sector, leasing 300,000 sqm of space and achieving results similar to the previous year. Many tenants opted to continue their cooperation with Accolade and expand within the investor`s portfolio. Among the largest transactions were an agreement with Tyco Electronics Polska, occupying 56,000 sqm in Park Szczecin I, and Iveco with 16,500 sqm in Park Zielona Góra, as well as Data Modul, which increased its space by 11,000 sqm in Park Lublin. In 2023, Accolade also acquired new tenants, exemplified by a contract for over 54,000 sqm with a retail company in Park Szczecin VI, leasing by the transport operator - Regesta for 32,900 sqm in the park in Ruda Śląska, a new production location for Kostal Automobil Elektrik (17,000 sqm) in Świdnik, and ECE's selection of Zielona Góra (12,000 sqm). By the end of 2023, the total warehouse space belonging to Accolade amounted to 1,500,000 sqm within 27 parks located throughout Poland, with the managed portfolio's value exceeding 1.2 billion euros.
“Accolade is not only an investor but also an experienced asset manager, equally committed to creating ecological and modern parks as well as to growing alongside tenants within our existing locations. Our recent investments in new industrial parks in Ruda Śląska, Świdnik, as well as the expansion of those already owned in Piła, Bydgoszcz and Białystok, showcases our preparedness for further growth within the Polish market. The company's ambition is to shape the future of the sector, where innovation and sustainable development go hand in hand.” said Joanna Sinkiewicz, Group Commercial Director at Accolade.
In 2023, for the purpose of new investments, Accolade obtained 75,6 million euros net financing from several banking institutions. The funds secured investments in four modern, strategically located parks in Poland. The most significant transaction was a loan provided by Santander Bank, amounting to a net total of 29,8 million euros, facilitating the execution of the project in Ruda Śląska. Comparable financing was extended by Alior Bank, amounting to 28.5 million euros net, enabling investment in the park located in Świdnik, near Lublin. Funds obtained from other banks, including PEKAO and Aareal, provided financing for warehouses in other locations, including Zielona Góra and Lublin.
"Financing in the amount of 75.6 million euros, combined with our business strategy focusing on investments in environmentally friendly and tailored-to-tenant projects, along with local perspective and experience gained internationally, have resulted in an increase of Accolade's portfolio in Poland by nearly 156,000 sqm of new space. The capital we receive for the expansion of our portfolio is mainly attributed to the quality of the projects we create, high occupancy rates, and significant income potential. In 2023, the total financing amount for the entire Accolade Group amounted to 389.1 million euros, with refinancing at 29.5 million euros and new financing at 359.6 million euros." said Lukáš Répal, Chief Operating Officer at Accolade.
In the past year, Accolade remained a leader in terms of warehouse space owned across many regions of Poland. Its prominent position is especially evident along the western border of the country, notably in the West Pomeranian voivodeship, where the investor presents industrial parks encompassing a combined area of nearly 420,000 square meters in Szczecin, Goleniów, and Koszalin. The scale of investments in this region prompted the company to open its first regional office in Szczecin, facilitating active cooperation with the local community. Accolade is also growing dynamicly in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodeship, where it operates parks covering a total area of almost 250,000 sqm in Bydgoszcz, in the Lubuskie voivodeship with parks in Zielona Góra totaling 170,000 sqm, and in the Podlaskie voivodeship, where it provides 80,000 sqm of space. Accolade's investments support the economic development of the regions, contributing to the creation of new jobs (almost 13,000 across Poland).
The company prioritizes projects aligned with the concept of sustainable development, as evidenced by the BREEAM certifications obtained. Additionally, investments in revitalized areas constitute up to 33% of Accolade's portfolio. In 2023, the investor achieved the highest Outstanding rating for its two parks - Szczecin III and Konin, with the building in Szczecin being the first industrially certified facility of such high standard in Poland. Accolade aims for all new parks to be certified at a minimum Excellent level, focusing on improving building energy efficiency, providing tenants with access to renewable energy sources, investing in AED equipment, and electro-waste containers. In the past year, the investor also expanded apiaries located in several parks. Beekeeping brings benefits to the ecosystem and provides space for organizing workshops for local communities.
The investor doesn't limit itself to business activities, as evidenced by the creation of the Accolade Industrial Art program, which introduces art into industrial spaces. In the first quarter of 2023, as part of this initiative, an outdoor exhibition dedicated to the industrial history of Załom was opened, where the largest Accolade industrial park in Poland is now located - Park Szczecin I. At the end of the year, a new mural was unveiled in Park Białystok II. Additionally, educational programs for children and youth are being implemented as part of the investor's initiative. Accolade also collaborates with the Theater for One Smile (Teatr za Jeden Uśmiech), whose actors entertain children in hospitals, and promotes employee volunteering. Such events are an integral part of the company's strategy, which emphasizes building close and positive relationships with local communities.
Accolade Holding operates in eight countries across Europe, where it invests in modern and sustainable infrastructure tailored for global brands, primarily in e-commerce, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. It owns a network of over 57 industrial parks with BREEAM certification in the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Croatia, valued at 3 billion euros, ensuring a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to investments. The group currently holds properties totaling 3.3 million square meters, leased to nearly 184 tenants, generating 148 million euros in annual rental income. Accolade also invests in the revitalization of post-industrial areas, which constitute over one-third of the Group's portfolio. The building in the renovated Strojírny Cheb complex is the most environmentally friendly industrial facility in the world, earning an Outstanding rating and a record-breaking score of 94.2% according to the global sustainability assessment BREEAM. Accolade currently has six buildings in its portfolio with BREEAM Outstanding certification. Park Szczecin III on Kniewska Street has received the highest level of BREEAM certification - Outstanding - making it the first project in Poland to achieve such a high level of certification. Park Konin has also received this high rating. Accolade is committed to adhering to ESG principles by implementing rigorous environmental protection requirements, supporting local communities, and upholding ethical business standards. The company understands the importance of sustainable development and strives to maintain a balance between economic growth and social and environmental responsibility. In 2017, the Group acquired the operator of the second busiest airport in the Czech Republic, Brno-Tuřany, and is also preparing a test track near Stříbro as a research center for the development and certification of autonomous vehicles. For more information, please visit www.accolade.eu.
Media contact:
Patrycja Rabińska, patrycja.rabinska@marielhaan.com, 504 006 016
Marta Lewicka, marta.lewicka@marielhaan.com, 603 740 630
