CEMAT will rent out office and storage space in its logistics and warehousing complex in Bohumin.

While most European companies were fighting for their survival during the the global financial crisis, CEMAT, a supplier of forklift accessories, was building a logistics and warehousing complex next to its Bohumin headquarters in the Czech Republic.

CEMAT started constructing the complex in 2010, initially for its own use. Over the years, its plans changed, and what was meant to be storage facilities for personal use have grown into a much bigger project.

The buildings now comprise three storage sheds, a new office building and parking, and up to 11,000 sqm (118,403 sqft.) of storage space. The modern complex is close to the D1 motorway in the direction of Vienna to Poland.

"At the beginning, we wanted to extend our own capacity of the warehousing as the old warehouses were not sufficient to our needs," CEO Kamil Cerny says. "Then there appeared a possibility of building a larger area, and so we said why not try it. We have many years of experience in material handling. Why not use it? [We thought] Let's turn the old warehouses into a production area that offers some extended services."

CEMAT was in contact with its European and global partners daily. The company decided to exploit its location near the Polish border and access to the European highway system, and offer its partners warehousing space for hire.

Cerny says CEMAT can also offer office space with centralised security protection devices and parking spaces for rent.

Actual construction work on the complex started in the northern spring of 2012. The total area of the buildings with storage capabilities is around 5,000 sqm (53,900 sqft). The largest hall, number 12, is over 2,000 sqm (21,528 sqft.).

CEMAT plans to further expand the whole area in the next two years and wants to add at least another hall.

Construction has started on another building that will offer at least 1,000 sqm (10,764 sqft) of multifunctional space that can be used for forklift repair, warehouse and office space. Part of the building will also be for CEMAT to showcase its products.

The total size of the logistic and warehousing complex, new and old buildings combined, is about 29,000 sqm (312,153 sqft).

Established in 1997, CEMAT is a distributor of accessories for materials handling and construction equipment in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Its portfolio of goods and services include forklift and industrial tyres, attachments, forks, rubber belts, lifting platforms, polyurethane wheels and rollers. It distributes Camoplast Solideal, ATG, Bolzoni Auramo, Marangoni, Räder-Vogel and MSE-Forks for both the Czech and Slovak Republics.

The company also sells a wide selection of forks, lifting tables and chairs of its own brands - CMT Forks, Lifts CMT and CMT Seats. It has warehouses in Bohumin, Prague, Lovosice Martin and Trnava.