GARBE Industrial Real Estate Expands into Central Eastern Europe

News 28/02/2020

Hamburg, 28 March 2020 – GARBE Industrial Real Estate GmbH, one of the leading specialists for logistics and industrial properties in Germany and other countries in Europe, is expanding its footprint in Central Eastern Europe (CEE). Martin Polák (aged 37), a former managing director at Prologis, will join GARBE as Managing Director CEE and will be in charge of the further expansion in the region.

Following the acquisition of the technical consulting and planning company Metroplan Eastern Europe last year, the appointment of Martin Polák is another key component of the growth strategy for this region. Christopher Garbe, Managing Director of GARBE Industrial Real Estate, commented: “The expansion into the CEE region is an important step for us, being part of our strategy for organic growth. Martin Polák brings a wealth of experience in this region to the job. We are convinced of our joint ability to set up a successful team and to create a robust foundation for Garbe’s business in Central and Eastern Europe.”

So far, Garbe has focused mainly on logistics real estate in the four Western European markets of Germany, the Netherlands, France and Austria. The plans for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) will initially focus on Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia above all. The company expects to move ahead with its first projects by mid-year. Christopher Garbe commented: “Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia report the fastest growth rates in the e-commerce sector in Central Eastern Europe. Since the growth coincides with a large sales market, a low wage level and an established logistics market, these countries represent an interesting investment destination for investors. The favourable economic environment suggests moreover that the real estate market will continue to grow in future.”

Martin Polák added: “It’s an honour for me to be put in charge of the ongoing expansion of Garbe’s Central Eastern Europe business. I’m convinced that we are about to become as strong a partner in the CEE region for our investors and clients as we have been elsewhere. What we are bringing to the table is, above all, our professional know-how, an exceptional customer engagement and a unique corporate culture.”

Before his transfer to Garbe Industrial Real Estate, Martin Polák spent twelve years with the logistics real estate company Prologis in various roles, eventually heading a team of 80 professionals. In his most recent position, he served as managing director and head of region for Central Eastern Europe and controlled all of the company’s activities in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. His sphere of ownership included property developments, client relationships and the collaboration with local development teams. Polák obtained a civil engineering degree in economics and construction industry management from the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.