Coca-Cola Leasing Distribution Center in Poland

ATLANTA-Coca Cola Beverages has signed an agreement to sell 23.1 acres near Poznan, Poland to ProLogis, which plans to develop a 473,000 sf industrial park on the site. The soft drink manufacturer also reached agreement for Poznan to build an 82,881 sf distribution center for it within the park. Construction, scheduled to begin in April, will be carried out in two phases: a 53,819 sf facility will be erected first, followed by a 29,062 sf structure adjacent to it.

“The continuing growth of the Polish economy is resulting in great demand for modern distribution facilities, particularly in those regions with the greatest populations,” says Hans A. van Luijken of Poznan Central Europe. “More money is being invested in Poznan development than any other city in Poland, except Warsaw,” he adds.

Richard Widmann, logistics manager for Coca- Cola, notes that, “The reason we sold the site and subsequently leased it back is that we can maintain optimum flexibility. We can expand it we want to, and move if it becomes necessary.” The company and ProLogis are looking for additional sites for distribution centers in Poland.

Coca-Cola has a 27% share of the non-alcoholic beverage market in Poland. ProLogis owns or manages 1,662 distribution facilities in North America and Europe with more than 188 million sf.