ZF opens new distribution center at Panattoni Park Ostrov North

ZF, a global technology company specializing in mobility solutions for passenger and commercial vehicles, has taken over a newly completed 57,400-square-meter facility at Panattoni Park Ostrov North. The industrial site was developed by Panattoni and financed by Accolade Group. The facility was designed with sustainability principles, incorporating environmentally friendly materials, efficient waste management, and energy-saving systems.

ZF operates 162 manufacturing plants in 31 countries and employs 168,700 people globally, including 3,500 in the Czech Republic. The company has multiple development centers and production facilities across the country, and the new site in Ostrov will serve as a highly automated distribution center for the spare parts market. The location was chosen to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce transportation distances for Central and Eastern European markets, thereby minimizing emissions.

The completed facility includes 18 loading bays, fewer than originally planned, which allowed for the creation of 5,400 square meters of additional green space. The heating, cooling, and ventilation system combines heat pumps, ROOFTOP air conditioning units, and radiant electric panels. Office spaces are equipped with multi-split heating and cooling systems, supported by electric heaters and heating mats. The facility is not connected to fossil fuel sources and is expected to achieve a high-level BREEAM New Construction sustainability certification.

The Panattoni Park Ostrov North site was developed on a former trolleybus factory, which operated from 1960 to 2004 before falling into disuse. The site remediation involved sorting and safely disposing of 12,700 tonnes of hazardous waste, preventing groundwater contamination. Approximately 98.7% of demolition waste was recycled, resulting in the reuse of 103,000 tonnes of material and reducing the need for 10,300 truckloads of primary resources.

Local officials see the project as an important step in revitalizing the Karlovy Vary region, historically affected by economic decline. The Mayor of Ostrov, Pavel Čekan, highlighted that the development brings new employment opportunities and strengthens the region’s industrial base. Martina Nová, Associate Director for Acquisitions and Project Management at Accolade Group, noted that ZF’s expansion into Ostrov will support innovation and regional economic competitiveness.

ZF’s investment reflects a broader trend of industrial redevelopment and modernization in the Czech Republic, with projects like Panattoni Park Ostrov North focusing on sustainable logistics and advanced manufacturing facilities.