Building the next industrial standard
Interview with Piotr Flugel, Managing Director of CTP Invest Poland Sp. z o.o.
As logistics networks strain under rising costs, talent shortages and fluctuating global supply chains, CTP Invest Poland Sp. z o.o. is betting on a model that merges high‑quality industrial space with long‑term operational partnership. Its rapid ascent reflects both Poland’s momentum and a strategy built on speed, service and scalability.
For Managing Director Piotr Flugel, Poland’s emergence as a major European logistics hub is opening new frontiers. Since formally ramping up operations in 2021, CTP Invest Poland has expanded at exceptional speed. Within four years, the company delivered 1 million m2 of space, with another 400,000 m2 under construction and an internal year‑end target of 1.5 million m2. “Poland is a very important market for us when it comes to growth potential,” says Piotr Flugel, whose background in engineering and construction continues to shape the company’s hands‑on approach. This acceleration mirrors CTP’s broader trajectory. Active in eleven European markets and holding 14 million m2 across industrial, office and residential assets, the group grows through both development and acquisition. Its method, says Piotr Flugel, has always been to “go under the radar and then suddenly pop up with a great deal.”
A one‑stop model
CTP positions itself not as a conventional developer but as a “deal maker” and long‑term operator. The company buys land, builds facilities and manages them directly – ensuring quality, responsiveness and consistency. Around 70% of all group‑wide leasing activity comes from existing tenants expanding into new buildings or additional countries. “We are a one‑stop shop. You should focus on your business, and we will take care of everything else,” says Piotr Flugel. This model also enables agility. With financing centralized at group level, CTP can start projects speculatively when it anticipates demand – crucial for SMEs seeking immediate occupancy. In fast‑moving sectors such as e‑commerce and fashion, where tenants may need space within weeks, having “warehouses ready to use” creates a critical competitive edge.
Designing for people
A defining element of CTP’s strategy is its emphasis on tenant and employee wellbeing – a philosophy rooted in the founder’s own experience as a manufacturer. Industrial parks traditionally lacked amenities, but CTP’s developments integrate green areas, daylight‑optimized buildings, energy‑efficient systems, public transport links, and community spaces. The company’s signature concept, the CTP Clubhouse, introduces restaurants, cafés, meeting areas and even on‑site services such as medical services. These facilities, while not profit centres, support tenant retention and reduce workforce turnover. Employee surveys validate the approach: workplace comfort, temperature stability and access to transportation rank among the top concerns. “If people feel positive, they complain less – and companies benefit from that,” notes Piotr Flugel. In markets like Bucharest, the scale of demand has been so large that CTP is building multiple clubhouses to ensure employees can reach them during breaks.
Pragmatic Sustainability
CTP certifies all buildings under BREEAM, aiming for Excellent or Outstanding. Roofs are designed for solar panels, EV charging points are standard and some tenants receive exclusive PV installations. Yet Piotr Flugel is candid about the commercial reality: many customers prioritize upfront cost over operational efficiency. “Almost nobody wants to pay for ESG, even if it lowers long‑term costs,” he says. As a result, CTP focuses on sustainable measures that deliver clear tenant value – energy‑efficient building envelopes, insulation that stabilizes temperatures, and group‑level energy procurement to reduce utility bills.
Local presence, regional finance
CTP’s Polish organization now exceeds 110 employees across Warsaw, Poznań, Katowice and Gdańsk, with local offices located inside the parks. This proximity enables rapid maintenance and strengthens tenant relationships. Meanwhile, the ability to finance projects through unsecured group‑level bonds keeps capital costs unusually low. “You cannot achieve this within one country. That’s the magic of the group,” says Piotr Flugel.
Growth beyond borders
Though Poland is currently CTP’s fastest‑growing market, continued expansion will come from entering new countries and pursuing targeted acquisitions. The company expects further consolidation – creating openings for well‑capitalized players. “Poland’s economy now exceeds 1.1 trillion EUR, surpassing the combined GDP of many of its neighbours”, notes Piotr Flugel. CTP’s strategy is well suited to a logistics sector where decisions must be made quickly and operational reliability is paramount. As supply chains digitalize and the competition for labour intensifies, its people‑centred industrial parks may prove a decisive differentiator. “Our mission remains clear: empower tenants to grow while we handle the rest,” Piotr Flugel concludes.