STRABAG PFS expands public sector facility management portfolio in North Rhine-Westphalia

STRABAG Property and Facility Services (STRABAG PFS) has secured a new contract from the Construction and Real Estate Management Agency of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (BLB NRW) to provide technical facility management services at two key public buildings: the Bochum correctional facility and the Mont Cenis training academy in Herne.

The agreement marks a further extension of the longstanding cooperation between STRABAG PFS and BLB NRW. Notably, the contract was awarded by the Dortmund branch of BLB NRW, representing its first direct engagement with STRABAG PFS and expanding a regional portfolio that already includes sites in Münster, Duisburg, and Cologne.

In Bochum, STRABAG PFS will manage the prison complex, which comprises 14 operational units over approximately 60,000 square metres. The facility includes detention areas, administrative offices, a gatehouse, and multipurpose buildings, some of which are designated as heritage structures. The contract adds to STRABAG PFS’s experience in managing correctional institutions, building on its work at the Willich facility.

In Herne, the company will oversee technical services at the Mont Cenis academy, a prominent training centre operated by the Ministry of the Interior of North Rhine-Westphalia. Spanning roughly 10,600 square metres, the academy is known for its distinctive architecture, combining glass and wood elements to create a modern educational environment with flexible event and seminar spaces.

The new contract further strengthens STRABAG PFS’s position in managing training and education infrastructure. In addition to Mont Cenis, the company already provides services for the State Office for Training, Further Education and Personnel Affairs of the North Rhine-Westphalia Police (LAFP) in Münster.

STRABAG PFS was awarded the contract after submitting the top-rated bid in the tender process, reaffirming its reputation as a trusted partner for public-sector facility management and a specialist in complex, security-sensitive environments.

Solago expands in Düsseldorf with 18,000 sqm logistics lease brokered by Logivest

Solar start-up Solago is continuing its rapid growth with a move into a new logistics facility in Düsseldorf-Reisholz. Real estate consultancy Logivest has brokered the lease of approximately 18,000 square metres of combined warehouse and office space within “the tube”, a recently completed industrial and commercial park developed by Frasers Property Industrial.

Founded in 2022 by Janik Nolden, Julian Dienst, and Kevin Malek, Solago has quickly positioned itself as a leading online provider of solar energy systems. The company offers a range of products, from compact balcony solar kits to full-scale rooftop photovoltaic installations.

In response to rising demand, Solago sought a larger and strategically located site near its current base in Hilden. Logivest identified a suitable unit within “the tube”, securing roughly 17,000 square metres of warehouse space, including a mezzanine level, and 1,100 square metres for office and social use.

The site is located on the grounds of the former Vallourec Röhrenwerke and benefits from strong transport connectivity. Situated near the Düsseldorf Süd motorway junction, it offers access to the A46 and A59 motorways, and is also served by the local S-Bahn network—an important factor for Solago’s current workforce of around 100 employees. The facility supports efficient logistics operations with features such as ramps, ground-level loading bays, and sprinter gates.

Sustainability was a key criterion in the decision. The building aims to achieve DGNB Platinum certification and is equipped with a rooftop photovoltaic system, a modern heat pump-based heating solution, and smart metering technology for precise energy monitoring and optimisation.

“We found in ‘the tube’ a location that not only supports Solago’s expansion plans but also reflects the founding team’s values: sustainable, flexible, and forward-looking,” said Thomas Schmidt, Managing Director of Logivest NRW GmbH. “With its strategic position in Düsseldorf – a key junction between the Ruhr region and wider North Rhine-Westphalia – the site offers strong access to national and European markets.”

HSNF extends lease at Prologis Park Poznań I

HSNF, a UK-based e-commerce company in the beauty and wellness sector, has renewed its lease for approximately 2,300 sqm of warehouse and office space at Prologis Park Poznań I. The tenant was represented in the transaction by AXI IMMO.

HSNF has operated in the Greater Poland region for several years, using the site to serve both wholesale and retail clients. The company continues to lease 2,130 sqm of warehouse space and 170 sqm of office and social space at the logistics park. Established in 2009, HSNF sells cosmetic products online in over 20 countries and fulfills more than one million orders annually. It maintains offices in London, Tel Aviv, and Hong Kong.

According to Jeet Saini, Operations Director at HSNF, the decision to extend the lease followed an internal review of operational needs and development plans. He cited the location’s infrastructure and lease terms as factors supporting continued efficiency and a stable working environment.

Prologis Park Poznań I is located in Sady, within the Tarnowo Podgórne municipality, about 15 km from central Poznań. The site comprises three buildings with a total area of 43,108 sqm and is located near major transport routes, including the Swadzim interchange and the S11 expressway.

Piotr Roszkowski of AXI IMMO noted that the lease extension reflects a match between the tenant’s objectives and the landlord’s approach. Iwona Kotulska of Prologis added that the Clear Lease® model, which features fixed operating costs for standard services, was a contributing factor in HSNF’s decision to remain at the location.

Czech Republic sees moderate growth in company numbers despite rising liquidations

In May 2025, 2,645 new companies were established in the Czech Republic while 1,356 ceased operations, resulting in a net increase of 1,289 companies. According to CRIF – Czech Credit Bureau, this brings the total increase in the number of companies for the first five months of the year to 6,857, representing a 1% decline compared to the same period in 2024.

The data, based on figures from the portal www.informaceofirmach.cz, show that over the 12-month period ending in May, 31,950 companies were newly established, up 8% from the previous year. During the same period, 18,181 companies were closed, marking a 15% increase. The pace of company liquidations in the first five months of this year rose by 17% compared to last year. However, the number of companies entering the market grew at a similar rate to 2024, with 13,769 new market entrants over the past 12 months.

Regional developments indicate that the number of companies increased in 12 out of 14 regions. Prague accounted for more than half of all newly established companies during the 12-month period, followed by the South Moravian and Moravian-Silesian regions. The Olomouc and Vysočina regions recorded the fastest growth relative to company closures, with six new companies established for every ten that ceased operations. In the South Bohemian Region, the ratio was 25 new companies for every ten closures.

In contrast, the Liberec and Ústí regions recorded net declines. In Liberec, the number of companies dropped by 94, and in Ústí by 150. The Liberec region also recorded the sharpest increase in liquidations, where the number of companies that ceased to exist nearly tripled in the first five months. The Pardubice region saw a similar trend, with a 177% year-on-year increase in company closures.

From January to May 2025, the highest number of company registrations occurred in Prague, followed by the South Moravian and Central Bohemian regions. The Olomouc region saw the largest year-on-year growth in new company registrations at 13%, while the Zlín region experienced the most significant decline, down by 21%.

Sectoral analysis shows that the highest number of new companies were created in the business services sector, followed by real estate management and construction. These sectors also experienced the highest number of company closures. Business services saw 5,410 closures, while real estate and professional services followed with 3,519 and 2,577 respectively.

Despite higher numbers of closures in some sectors, others recorded rapid expansion. The highest relative growth was observed in services such as repair of personal items, hairdressing, and dry cleaning, with 62 new companies for every ten closures. The healthcare and social care sectors also expanded, with 50 new companies for every ten closures, closely followed by education with 49.

The structure of company longevity is also shifting. In the first five months of 2025, 14% of companies that ceased operations had been in business for 31 to 35 years, up from 10% the previous year and 4% in 2022. Meanwhile, the proportion of companies that closed within five years of operation dropped to 6%, down from 8% in recent years and 10% in 2022.

The findings highlight both resilience and volatility in the Czech business landscape, with overall company growth continuing amid a notable rise in closures and evolving patterns of business longevity.

Skanska to launch final phase of Albatros Kbely residential project in Prague

Skanska has announced the launch of the final phase of its Albatros Kbely residential development in Prague 19. The upcoming Charlie apartment building will introduce 89 low-energy units, completing the five-stage project that spans nearly 100,000 square meters. Construction of the final phase is scheduled to begin in 2026, with completion expected in 2028.

The Charlie building will include a mix of apartment layouts ranging from 1+kk to 3+kk, with 2+kk units making up the majority. Each apartment will feature a balcony and electric outdoor window shading. Top-floor units will offer private terraces prepped for whirlpools and pergolas. Shared amenities will include a rooftop terrace, bicycle and pram storage, waste management areas, cellars, and garage parking with shelters. All parking spots will be prepared for electric vehicle charging.

The development continues Skanska’s focus on sustainability. The building is designed to meet the highest energy performance classification (PENB-A) and aims to achieve BREEAM certification. It will incorporate smart home systems, underfloor heating, triple-glazed windows, and video intercom access. Materials used in construction meet EPD, FSC, and PEFC standards. Prefabricated bathrooms will be included in most units to ensure consistent quality and reduce waste on site.

The project includes energy-efficient features such as rooftop photovoltaic panels expected to produce up to 43 MWh annually. Water efficiency is enhanced by using water from the development’s own well for toilet flushing and laundry, as well as collecting rainwater for irrigating communal greenery. These systems are projected to reduce drinking water consumption by 30%, or 33 litres per resident per day.

Sustainability in construction is further supported by the use of Rebetong, a type of concrete made from recycled construction waste. It will account for 30% of the final phase’s monolithic structure, alongside low-carbon concrete materials.

The final phase also adds public infrastructure, including a children’s playground, cycle paths, a large public park of over 8,000 square meters, and access to 15,000 square meters of green areas in the surrounding space. Other community features planned include outdoor gyms, barbecue areas, vegetable gardens, a supermarket, a nursery school, and recreational facilities for all age groups.

Once completed, Albatros Kbely will include 688 apartments across 11 buildings. Three phases and a kindergarten are already complete. The fourth phase is under construction with a 2026 completion target, while the final phase has now entered the sales stage.

Named after the Aero L-39 Albatros training aircraft, the project incorporates aviation themes throughout its architectural elements and building names, reflecting the local heritage of the nearby Kbely Aviation Museum.

Travel activity among Slovaks rebounded in 2024, but still below pre-pandemic levels

Nearly 3 million Slovaks took at least one personal trip with an overnight stay in 2024, marking an 11% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this growth, travel numbers still fell short of pre-pandemic levels, with around 430,000 fewer vacationers than in 2019.

According to data published by the Statistical Office of the Slovak Republic, 65% of the population aged 15 and over participated in leisure travel either within Slovakia, abroad, or both. While domestic travel remained the most common, the most significant growth was observed among those who combined domestic and international trips. This group increased by 23% year-on-year to 1.16 million people. Travelers who chose only international destinations also grew by 13%, totaling 602,000.

Travel within Slovakia alone saw only a slight increase of 0.3%, reaching 1.22 million individuals. Nevertheless, this segment remained the largest, accounting for 41% of all travelers. Those combining domestic and international travel followed closely at 39%, while 20% traveled exclusively abroad.

In total, nearly 1.8 million Slovaks traveled abroad in 2024, either exclusively or in combination with domestic trips. This figure represented a 19% increase from the previous year, yet remained 11% below the 2019 peak, when almost 2 million residents traveled internationally.

The data also highlight the lingering impact of the pandemic on travel habits. The group of travelers combining domestic and foreign trips, which had dropped by 84% during the height of Covid-related restrictions in 2020, has now recovered to over 1 million but still trails 2019 levels by nearly 20%.

Meanwhile, approximately 1.6 million Slovaks over 15 did not travel for recreation in 2024. Although this figure improved from the previous year by 290,000, it remains nearly half a million above pre-pandemic levels. The main reasons cited for not traveling were financial constraints, health issues, and lack of motivation.

The Statistical Office’s findings offer a comprehensive view of Slovak citizens’ travel behavior, underlining both the recovery of outbound tourism and the ongoing challenges faced by segments of the population in returning to pre-pandemic travel activity.

Source: SK Statistical Office

Labour demand in Poland declined in 2024 despite rise in job creation and liquidations

Statistics Poland has released its annual report on the labour market, showing a complex picture of employment trends for 2024. While both the number of occupied and vacant jobs declined compared to 2023, there was a notable increase in job turnover, with more positions created and liquidated during the year.

According to the “Labour Demand in 2024” report, the average number of occupied jobs fell to 12.3 million, a decrease of 1.3% year-on-year. Similarly, job vacancies dropped to 107,000, down 2.1 thousand from the previous year. The job vacancy rate also slipped slightly from 0.87% to 0.86%.

The industry sector continued to dominate both employment and job vacancies. It accounted for over 25% of occupied jobs and nearly 23% of all job openings, with large enterprises (50+ employees) responsible for the bulk of hiring. The professional occupational group remained the largest segment of both filled and unfilled roles, representing around one-quarter of all positions.

Interestingly, job creation surged to 465,100 in 2024, up 6% from 2023, while liquidated jobs rose by 2.6% to 259,000. This resulted in a net gain of 206,100 jobs, maintaining a positive trend seen since 2015. For every job eliminated, 1.8 new ones were created.

The retail and motor vehicle repair sector led in job creation, with 90,100 new roles—an increase of more than 20% from the year before. In contrast, the accommodation and food service sector saw the sharpest decline in new job creation, falling by 16.6%.

On the regional level, the job vacancy rate varied significantly, ranging from 0.44% in the Świętokrzyskie region to 1.07% in Dolnośląskie and the Warsaw metropolitan region. Among sectors, construction and information and communication showed the highest vacancy rates at 1.85% and 1.50%, respectively.

The report was compiled by the Statistical Office in Bydgoszcz and reflects data collected quarterly throughout the year. It provides valuable insights for policymakers and businesses, highlighting ongoing labour shortages in key sectors despite overall employment softness.

Retail sales in Poland increase by 4.4% year-on-year in May 2025

According to data released by Statistics Poland, retail sales at constant prices rose by 4.4% in May 2025 compared to the same month in 2024. However, on a monthly basis, retail sales declined by 3.2% compared to April 2025. Seasonally adjusted data showed a year-on-year increase of 2.9%, and a month-on-month decrease of 2.0%.

Over the January–May 2025 period, retail sales were up by 3.5% year-on-year, which marks a slowdown from the 5.5% growth recorded during the same period in 2024.

Several categories contributed significantly to the annual increase in May. Sales of furniture, radio, TV and household appliances grew by 18.9%, while motor vehicles, motorcycles, and parts rose by 15.7%. Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and orthopaedic equipment posted a 6.0% increase. Fuel sales grew by 4.9%, and food, beverages, and tobacco products edged up by 1.5%. On the other hand, the “other” category recorded a 10.8% decline.

Online retail sales also grew, with the value at current prices rising by 6.2% compared to May 2024. The share of e-commerce in total retail sales increased slightly from 8.6% to 8.8%. Notable increases were seen in online sales of textiles, clothing, and footwear (up from 22.5% to 23.7%), and furniture, radio, TV, and household appliances (up from 16.4% to 17.3%). However, online sales of newspapers, books, and other specialized store goods fell in share from 22.3% to 19.2%.

The strongest growth since the beginning of the year was recorded in the “furniture, radio, TV and household appliances” category. In terms of sales at current prices, food, beverages, and tobacco products had the highest share of total retail sales at 26.1%, followed by fuels at 13.0%, and motor vehicles and parts at 8.4%.

The report also highlighted the availability of supplementary data through Statistics Poland’s databases, providing detailed breakdowns by type of activity in line with European statistical standards.

Source: Statistics Poland

Jan Krajča appointed Director of Project Department at Geosan Development

Geosan Development, a residential construction company active in Prague and surrounding areas, has appointed Jan Krajča (50) as Director of its newly established Project Department. In his new role, he will oversee the full scope of project preparation and execution, from spatial planning through to final delivery.

His responsibilities include overseeing land-use planning, managing technical and contractual matters throughout the construction process, ensuring contractor compliance with contractual terms and budgetary controls, and coordinating the handover of completed buildings and residential units to new owners.

Jan Krajča brings more than 25 years of experience in project management and development. A graduate of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the Czech Technical University in Prague, where he specialised in Building Construction and Architecture, he has held senior roles at companies including MS development/MSG holding, SPGroup, and Palladio Progetti. His work has involved managing large-scale residential and commercial projects from early planning stages to completion.

Commenting on his appointment, Jan Krajča said he is looking forward to contributing his technical and strategic experience to support the continued quality and efficiency of Geosan Development’s projects. He sees the role as an opportunity to be involved in construction that not only delivers quality housing but also respects the needs of local communities and the urban environment.

Outside of work, Krajča pursues interests in sport, travel, and technical diving in both open water and cave environments.

New tenant signs lease at Skylight City in Budapest

A multinational company specializing in health-focused dietary supplements has signed a lease for approximately 900 square metres of office space at Skylight City in Budapest. This will serve as the company’s first headquarters in Hungary, expanding its presence beyond its existing operations in the Czech Republic and Poland.

The leased space will be used as a multifunctional office, accommodating daily business operations as well as events, training sessions, and conferences for up to 190 participants. Key factors in the selection of the location included flexible layout options and accessibility.

Skylight City, developed by WING Ltd., has a BREEAM In-Use ‘Very Good’ sustainability rating and offers a combination of office and commercial space. The building, originally developed for commercial use, features a central atrium with natural light, service areas, and good transport links. It is situated on Róbert Károly Boulevard near Árpád Bridge, close to the Váci Road office corridor.

The tenant was advised by Citireal during the leasing process.

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