Patrizia launches dedicated European logistics platform

German listed real estate asset manager Patrizia Immobilien has launched a European logistics platform, which is based in Amsterdam.

The new platform will be led by a three-member expert team consisting of Roger Peters, Arthur Tielens and Octavian Cristea, who jointly have a track record of over 50 years in the European logistics sector.

Peters held the role of Vice President Development Prologis Europe from 1989 to 2006. Most recently he was regional director Northern & Eastern Europe at Goodman. Tielens worked for Valad Europe and previously for AMB Property Corporation and Aberdeen Property Investors.

'The acquisition of an expert team allows us to use investment opportunities in the increasingly important market for logistics properties for our customers at home and abroad,' said Klaus Schmitt, COO of Patrizia Immobilien.

The company said the dedicated platform reflects new trends in the supply chain caused by changed consumer behaviour. In the context of globalisation and the associated expansion of online shopping, logistics properties are gaining in importance and becoming increasingly attractive to investors, Patrizia said.

'This situation is giving rise to a whole new class of use-specific logistics facilities. With the spread of e-commerce, physical distribution systems are changing, particularly for retail logistics,' the company added.

'With this move, Patrizia is systematically pursuing its internationalisation strategy in which expansion takes place only where other well-established companies can be incorporated into the Group as subsidiaries or where highly-qualified experts can be obtained,' said Schmitt.

Patrizia already has an office in the Netherlands, which it recently expanded with the hiring of Marcel Mulder from Bouwfonds Investment Management and Vincent Warrink from Deloitte Financial Advisory Services – Real Estate.