A new trend on the magazine market. This is how SME is looking for

The microfirms no longer want garages or makeshift premises. They want spaces that are smart – and this growing trend respond to the Smart Business Units (SBU). Why are investors more and more willingly looking towards smaller, but technologically advanced modules? We talk about the potential of the SBU segment with Albert Lis, Country Manager NordSpace in Poland.

Beata Anna Święcicka “Wprost”: What macroeconomic trends shape the current demand for Smart Business Unit (SBU) surfaces in Poland and Central and Eastern Europe?

Albert Lis, Nordspace: Currently on the Polish market, the scale of new warehouse and production investments is huge, but the small surface segment is still a minority. If it already appears, it usually starts from 200 sq m – as you can see, few of these areas responds to the needs of micro and small companies, which constitute 90 percent. Polish enterprises. Nordspace noticed a gap in the area of ​​the area from 40 to 120 sq m for entrepreneurs. Currently, small players have a choice of either a garage or a low -standard place in a bad location. In Europe, we have 11 business parks (in Lithuania and Latvia). The situation was similar there. We see and know how such places are needed for small companies.

How do you assess the potential of the Polish market for this segment?

The potential is huge. Over 90 percent Polish companies are micro enterprises employing up to 10 people, and the demand for warehouse surfaces breaks records – in 2024 it amounted to as much as 2.7 million sq m, growing by 22 percent. year on year. At the same time, new deliveries from the “Urban Warehouses” segment are relatively small-in Warsaw in 2023 only 70,050 sq m of facilities, which had smaller spaces starting from 250 sq m, were commissioned. high absorption of small modules, such as those offered by NordSpace.

Who are the typical recipients of Smart Business Unit services in Poland?

This is a very diverse group, and the scope of activities carried out by companies in our business parks is huge. We are often surprised ourselves how niche activities are carried out in our premises. Imagine a diving school, a company that digitizes art, e-commerce, showroom, workshop designing prototypes, photo studio and many other activities. The advantages of modularity and technological applications of NordSpace are conducive to the creativity and development of our clients.

What do the Lessee to Smart Business Unit expect?

First of all, they are looking for a good location, compact modules connecting the warehouse and office part. In addition, they expect a high technical standard – a solid floor, comfort of use and independent media. Availability of 24/7 and solutions supporting their activities (monitoring, security, automation, management through application) are also important.

What characterize NordSpace intelligent business parks?

Intelligent NordSpace business parks are automated Small Business Units complexes, in which each place can act as an office, warehouse or workshop, and at the same time use advanced technological solutions and security. In addition, each of the tenants can remotely manage their space through the application.

What amenities and innovations can the tenant expect in NordSpace business parks?

NordSpace business parks are distinguished by a number of innovations and amenities, which respond to the needs of tenants from the e-commerce sector, the logistics of the last mile and the SME sector. First of all, they offer advanced “Internet of Things” and digital management (applications for gate control, lighting and monitoring). Thanks to the modular design, they can be adapted in the range of 40 to 120 sq m – including the possibility of adapting office and warehouse space.

Nordspace was founded in 2019 in Lithuania. What markets are it current at present?

We have been constantly increasing our number of parks and locations since that year. At the moment we have a total of 11 business parks, of which 8 in Lithuania. One of them offers as many as 120 premises – it is the largest facility of this type we opened. In Latvia we have 2 business parks and another 3 under construction. In Poland, we have one under construction, as well as several, which are in the design phase. In general, throughout the European Union, the commercial real estate sector undergoes a gradual renewal, and the role of smaller, adaptable business spaces is constantly growing – although the scale of these investments differs significantly in individual countries.

Do you plan to expand in Poland? What factors determine the choice of the location of new SBU investments – are these more issues of local demand, availability of infrastructure, or e.g. spatial development policy?

Yes, we plan and see great potential on the Polish market. After experience with the Baltic States, we observe great interest in every Polish province. In Poland, service and warehouse plots with an area of ​​about 1 ha, with full weapons (water, sewage, energy, fiber) and access to class A roads (A2, A4, A1) or express routes (S8, S7) will be optimal. The most attractive locations are so -called “Big Five”: Mazowsze (Warsaw and its surroundings), Lower Silesia (Wrocław), Wielkopolska (Poznań), Upper Silesia (Katowice and the entire region) and the Tri -City (Gdańsk -Gdynia -Sopot). In addition, it is worth considering special economic zones and developing markets, such as Podlasie or Lublin – due to lower land costs and a fairly large microfirm market.

How do you assess the attractiveness of the Smart Business Unit segment from the point of view of potential investors?

The SBU segment in Poland has significant growth potential, driven by e-commerce development, a shortage of small urban magazines and growing investments in logistics real estate. In 2024, the value of the Polish e-commerce market was estimated at approx. PLN 124 billion, with a forecast up to PLN 192 billion in 2028. At the same time, the Polish warehouse and industrial real estate market reached at the end of the first half of 2024 almost 33.5 million sq m of modern supply, with a low vacancy rate and a record dust. The value of investment transactions in the warehouse segment exceeded EUR 1.26 billion in 2024, which accounted for 25 percent. total volume of investment in commercial real estate. Forecasts indicate that by 2032 the European Transport and Logistics Market in Poland will increase from around EUR 50.5 billion to EUR 62.5 billion (CAGR: 2.75 percent). All this creates attractive conditions for the development of SBU with an area of ​​40-122 sq m, offering investors a quick return of capital at a low risk level.

Thank you for the interview.