14. May 2025

A year of expansion, challenges and growth

Today we are company that connects markets and supports further development in logistics, retail, e-commerce and light manufacturing. If we include the assets of the Accolade Industrial Fund, our portfolio contains more than 200 tenants and over 60 industrial parks with a total area of over 3.5 million square metres and a value of over 3.3 billion euros, says Accolade COO Lukáš Répal.

So what was 2024 like?

Full of challenges. In Europe we had to contend with a variable market environment, changing regulatory conditions and a constantly increasing focus on sustainability and ESG standards. At the same time, we had to adapt to geopolitical uncertainty, which is affecting both investment strategy and demand for new projects.

Digitisation, automation and decarbonisation of logistics are playing an increasingly important role. With increasing pressure on supply chain efficiency and reducing carbon footprints, we can see a change in both the requirements for industrial real estate and investors’ attitudes. All of this places major demands on flexibility, innovation and strategic planning.

I see the past year as proof that we can not only grow, but also respond to changing market conditions. We focus on long-term sustainable projects that deliver value to our partners and the communities we operate in.

How has expansion impacted internal processes?

As far as process management is concerned, our focus has been on standardising and automating key operations in order to operate efficiently in all our markets. We are implementing modern digital tools for data management, reporting and communication between teams. We emphasise systems integration for efficient project management and process optimisation across markets. With the growing volume of data, we are focusing heavily on business intelligence solutions.

Another area is the implementation of new technologies that support both our internal efficiency and the sustainability of our projects — smart energy management in our parks, automated processes in facilities management and the use of new technologies to improve facilities management.

Our growth is also reflected in the strategic management of the company, of course. As we expand, we are changing the structure of the organisation, strengthening teams in key areas and stepping up international cooperation. Our strategy is increasingly focused on long-term sustainability, technological innovation and efficient portfolio management to ensure continued stable growth.

In the nine years I’ve been with the company, I can confirm that despite dynamic changes and expansion, it still retains its original spirit.

Accolade’s first employees celebrated ten years with the company in 2024. What does this mean for the company?

It’s an important milestone. It proves that we’ve not only grown and developed successfully, but we’ve built a company people want to tie their careers to and be a part of. In the nine years that I have been with the company, I can confirm that despite dynamic changes and expansion, it still retains its original spirit.

From the very beginning, we have been united by an entrepreneurial approach, a determination to push boundaries, and a strong team culture. Rapid growth has brought lots of challenges, but we have never lost our energy, our desire to innovate and seek out new opportunities. We are always looking ahead, trying to think big and do things differently. What has defined us from day one and what has not changed is our shared vision and belief that we are doing something meaningful — building modern and sustainable business infrastructure across Europe. This fundamental principle has been, is, and will continue to be what drives us forward.

What makes Accolade unique?

We aren’t a typical corporation with complex hierarchies and long approval processes. On the contrary: we operate flexibly, efficiently and with an emphasis on personal responsibility. Anyone who joins us has the opportunity to really influence the things around them and contribute to the growth of the company as a whole. Another plus is the open and friendly atmosphere. Although we have expanded into several countries and manage a portfolio worth billions of euros, we still maintain an informal culture based on mutual trust and cooperation. We also have a desire to constantly innovate and push boundaries. We aren’t satisfied with “how things have always been done” — we’re always on the lookout for new ways to be more efficient, sustainable and one step ahead of the market.

Accolade has also been operating in Poland for ten years — how would you assess the decade there?

It’s another major milestone, without a doubt. I had the honour of being the first member of the Polish team, and when I look back, I feel extremely proud of what we’ve managed to create. The course charted by our CEO Milan Kratina, his courage and his visionary view of the market have been central to our success. Even back then, he firmly believed that Poland was a strategic destination with enormous potential, and he gave me the space to fulfil this vision. This trust made it possible to lay the foundations for a successful and stable portfolio, which today includes over a hundred tenants and more than 1.6 million square metres of modern industrial space in Poland. And the growth continues, with the Polish team playing a key role within the group today. It is a team of experienced professionals who are responsible for developing new locations, effectively managing the existing portfolio and building long-term relationships with tenants. Thanks to their commitment, we are able to expand our activities and keep improving our projects’ quality and sustainability.

Our presence will not only support local industry, it will boost the long-term sustainable development of the region as a whole.

You’re also strengthening your position in other markets — you recently opened an office in Croatia. What is the process when you open a new branch?

It starts with careful analysis of the local market and selecting a good strategic location. Our goal is to ensure that every new office meets our specific requirements for a modern working environment, technological infrastructure, security and sustainability. Right from the outset, we make sure that new premises reflect our corporate approach — we’re looking for flexibility and efficiency.

A uniform design is a key element of our spaces, regardless of location. We prioritise a visual concept that not only strengthens the brand identity, but also creates a consistent environment in which our employees feel comfortable and inspired to innovate. This consistency across all branches is important to us because it fosters a sense of belonging and a shared vision. By opening an office in Croatia, we are expanding our reach and simultaneously reinforcing our commitment to quality, innovation and sustainability, which lie at the heart of our corporate culture. We believe that Croatia, like the other markets we operate in, will grow quickly and successfully. We see enormous potential there for the development of modern business infrastructure, and we’re convinced that our presence will not only support local industry, but it will boost the long-term sustainable development of the region as a whole.

What are your plans for the coming year?

We want to continue to grow at a sustainable and stable pace, both in existing markets and in new countries we’re moving into. We view expansion as more than just a growing portfolio: above all, it means long-term stability and effective management of our sites. This also involves strengthening our projects’ security and resilience in the European and global markets. We believe that strong infrastructure, sustainable buildings and good relationships with partners and tenants are the key to success.

 

Lukáš Répal is the group’s Chief Operating Officer. Before joining Accolade, he worked as a manager at the renowned Emaar construction firm in the United Arab Emirates, where he was involved in numerous successful projects. A graduate of the Prague University of Economics, he has extensive construction sector experience in a range of European countries.