Logistics company DB Schenker and start-up Volocopter are developing the third version of a cargo drone called VoloDron in cooperation with the Fraunhofer Institute. They are seeking certification with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It is expected to be put into commercial operation within two years.
In connection with the planned introduction of mandatory non-financial reporting, in which companies will have to report on how they are doing in the areas of the environment, employee relations and responsibility and work ethics, industrial and logistics companies are becoming more interested in sustainable solutions. This interest is then also reflected in their claims to the real estate in which they reside. A survey by Colliers, a leading provider of diversified professional services in the field of commercial real estate and investment management, shows that the issue is most often addressed by large multinational companies that expect properties to be equipped with sustainable technologies such as heat pumps, heat recovery units, energy-saving smart lighting or photovoltaics. Experts from Colliers predict that interest in this topic will increase next year, even on the part of smaller local companies.
The industrial developer Garbe and the company Taconova, a manufacturer of equipment for heating and cooling solutions, indoor climate and sanitary technology, inaugurated 10,000 square meters of industrial space in the Garbe Park in České Budějovice.
It's no secret that the second half of the year is traditionally one of the most active periods in the logistics sector, and sellers of goods often increase their storage capacity before the main Christmas season in order to cover the multiple times higher demand. This year, however, the situation may be a little different. Logistics and e-commerce companies have expanded significantly in the past two years, and the reality is that, on the contrary, there is an increase in tenants and end-users who put available capacity on the market for short-term subletting. Demand in the logistics and e-commerce sector was not sustainable at previous levels and we expect a decline of around 40% this year.
Czech companies in the field of logistics are most troubled by the pressure on labor productivity and the lack of manpower. But they are deterred from investing in automation, which has the potential to address these issues, due to the complexity of implementing systems and high acquisition costs. PERI Česká republika convinced them that this is not the case.
The companies CTP and ČEZ Esco have started strategic cooperation in the field of energy and renewable resources. In the following years, they intend to equip the roofs of selected CTParks with photovoltaic power plants. They have already installed the first joint photovoltaic system with a capacity of 2 MW in CTPark Prague East in Nupaky near Prague on the roofs of the halls of the logistics company Raben. Trial operation of this photovoltaic system is currently underway. New power plants are also being built in CT Parks in Chrášťany, Hradec Králové, Brno, Ostrava or Cerhovice.
Industrial developer Logicor has started the construction of its first regional logistics park in the Czech Republic. The brownfield site in Příšovice is located near the transport networks connecting Prague and Liberec, and now the company will build two warehouses with an area of 20,000 square meters here as part of the first stage. One of the buildings will be ready for cross-dock operations. Completion of the first phase of the Logicor Příšovice complex is scheduled for mid-2024.
The Kaufland chain has announced that it intends to install a large photovoltaic power plant on the roof of its distribution center in Modletice near Prague. It will have an output of 2.2 MWp and is to be installed during 2025.
