Thursday30 January 2025
mozgy.in.ua

New Era Logistics: What types of logistics centers should we construct by 2025?

In the past, most people relied on feature phones until they were replaced by modern smartphones. The same transformation occurred with bulky desktop computers, which have now been supplanted by laptops. Similarly, outdated "Soviet-style" warehouses have given way to expansive logistics centers equipped with comprehensive infrastructure. Experts from Alterra Group have analyzed how these changes manifest and what sets them apart.
Строительство логистических центров новой эпохи: какие объекты возводить в 2025 году?

In Ukraine, there are over 600 warehouse complexes, but most of them are remnants of the Soviet Union, often neglected and with unsatisfactory conditions. They are classified as Class C warehouses. It is challenging to ensure proper storage of goods in these facilities, and it can often be dangerous due to the lack of a good ventilation system and the necessary microclimate for product storage. However, despite all the shortcomings, they continue to operate — because they are cheaper.

There are also Class A and Class B warehouses. These are more modern and better adapted to business needs, featuring unique characteristics and more amenities inside: higher ceilings, dock doors, a suitable microclimate, convenient locations, and so on. Nevertheless, they remain just warehouses.

However, in 2023, Alterra Group changed the perception of warehouses by building a new format logistics center for Ukraine — PORT. This is a mixed-use hub, where warehouse, production, retail, and office real estate coexist, along with a food establishment, supermarket, and leisure area with its own lake and landscape design.

New Format Logistics Centers

New format logistics centers are not just about individual innovative elements, but about their combination — they have a concept. The area combines everything necessary in one place: warehouses, offices, shops, social zones, and relaxation spaces. Such a structure is convenient and creates a precise attraction for employees, partners, and visitors, making the center an element of the region's infrastructure.

New format logistics centers are built according to ESG standards: environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and effective management. Construction must be sustainable, utilizing eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies. This approach optimizes resource use and reduces the impact on the environment.

PERETYN — A New Format Logistics Center

PERETYN — a logistics center covering an area of 51,000 m². It is being constructed in the village of Malehiv near the Galician intersection, at the crossroads of important logistics routes: Warsaw-Lviv-Kyiv. This is where its name comes from.

The area will feature warehouse and commercial-office spaces. Commercial premises are being built covering 3,000 m². The area of Class A and B warehouses totals 27,604 m², while the area of Class 0 warehouses is 8,261 m². A large retail park of 6,457 m² will also be located on the premises, which will become a focal point for everyone in the vicinity.

One of the project's features is a warehouse made of stabilized pine. The trend of building industrial facilities from wood has long been spreading in Scandinavia. Alterra Group is the first to implement this in Ukraine. The advantages include environmental friendliness and reduced emissions, bringing Ukraine closer to global sustainable standards.

At first glance, a wooden warehouse may seem impractical, but it is on par with metal: both in performance and strength. The lifespan of wooden structures is about 50 years, comparable to that of metal frames.

When discussing wooden buildings, the issue of fire safety immediately arises. However, unlike metal, which deforms when heated, wood chars on the outside, while the frame and strength remain intact. Thus, it is even safer. In PERETYN, the CLT technology and additional fire-retardant coatings have been used to ensure fire safety.

A multi-temperature warehouse with refrigeration equipment covering 6,809 m² will be located on the premises. The spaces range from 300 to 1,200 m², with temperatures from -22 to +8 degrees. It is suitable for storing products that require cooling or deep freezing. There is no logistics center in Ukraine that combines developed infrastructure and multi-temperature warehouses.

Why Can't We Do It Differently Anymore?

New era logistics centers solve multiple problems. They facilitate the optimization of work processes and impact key aspects of company development: from creating comfortable conditions for employees to strengthening relationships with partners and improving business process efficiency.

People are the main resource of any company. When the work environment is thoughtfully designed down to the smallest detail: from a comfortable office to relaxation areas by the lake — it boosts motivation and effectiveness. In contrast, outdated warehouses demotivate employees.

The second point is partners. Making a positive impression on partners often plays a crucial role in their decision to collaborate. When a partner sees a modern logistics center with beautiful architecture, it creates a completely different impression than traveling on broken roads to an outdated warehouse. Moreover, foreign partners only work with companies that have the necessary certifications. If a business operates in unsuitable conditions, obtaining the required certificates is impossible.

The third point is convenience. Modern logistics centers have everything in one place: warehouses, offices, showrooms, and even relaxation areas. This approach enhances efficiency and simplifies business process management.

Ukraine has the potential for the development of logistics centers, and examples of innovative projects prove: "we can't do it differently anymore." This is no longer a choice but a necessary condition for competitiveness and success. By investing in modern logistics centers, companies are not just adapting to new realities, but becoming leaders in their field, ensuring sustainable development, and opening new opportunities for growth.