You shifted from investment banking to real estate. What led you to MLP and what’s your vision for the company?

Over a decade ago, I joined MLP initially as CFO and now as CEO. Back then, we operated in Poland and Romania; now, we’re expanding rapidly in Germany and Austria, aiming for them to constitute 50% of our business by 2023. Our vision currently leans toward the West, evident in our exciting plan to acquire two plots in Benelux.

Has the logistics sector experienced significant growth during the pandemic?

While our sector hasn’t faced severe challenges, I’m cautiously optimistic. E-commerce trends haven’t revolutionized the industry yet. About a third of our tenants are e-commerce, another third are in light industry, and the rest are in logistics. Each segment’s growth trajectory varies, and we expect the ripple effects of 2020’s decisions to surface in 2022.

What attracts you to expanding into new markets like Benelux, and what factors influence such decisions?

We’ve found Romania, with its sizable population, appealing within the CEE region. Investing in core cities is our focus. Germany’s logistics market, despite its maturity, presents less competition than Poland or Romania due to its fragmented nature. We see similar opportunities in Benelux.

How has the profile of your tenants evolved, and are you considering a shift in your long-term investment strategy?

E-commerce tenants require in-city warehousing for agility, while big-box demands remain consistent across categories. We prioritize long-term investments and are willing to invest in higher CAPEX, averaging 6-8% yield, favoring asset retention. We’ve also held an SPO and can release more shares for capital if needed.

How do technology and sustainability factor into your warehouse standards?

Quality is paramount. Photovoltaic panels on our warehouses generate clean energy via MLP Energy, providing real returns of 10-12%. Collaborating with Philips Lighting/Signify, we’re developing ecological lighting systems that reduce energy usage by 90%, aiming for carbon neutrality by 2023.

What are your key priorities for the next three years, and what’s your perspective on Europe’s industrial real estate space?

We aim to expand significantly across Germany, Austria, Poland, and Romania, reaching a total of over 2 million sqm. Logistics, with projected 10% market growth, is a promising sector due to near-shoring trends likely to bring manufacturing back to Europe in the next 5-10 years, accelerated by the pandemic.