ShipMonk expands into Europe, opens distribution centre in Cheb

The increase in capacity will allow ShipMonk to expand its portfolio of e-commerce products for European customers. Using modern technology and thanks to its strategic location, ShipMonk will offer warehousing closer to European customers, eliminate delays caused by customs clearance, open the way for American e-shops to reach new customers in Europe, as well as reduce postage costs and enable faster delivery between 2 and 5 days.

"Cheb is a great place to do business. The most strategic place for the Western market and the real heart of Europe. ShipMonk is the exact prototype of the company for which we started planning the world-class industrial park in Cheb years ago. The revitalization of the site is progressing and is nearing completion," says Milan Kratina, CEO of Accolade.

Panattoni started construction of the nearly 5,000 sqm hall last September and ShipMonk officially took it over in April 2023.

Ecology meets e-commerce

The partnership with Panattoni and Accolade also brings other benefits for ShipMonk. The hall, built on a brownfield site of a former engineering plant, is located in one of the "greenest" industrial parks, Panattoni Park Cheb South. During the redevelopment, 90% of the construction and demolition waste was recycled and used directly in the landscaping of the redeveloped site.

The partnership with Panattoni and Accolade also brings other benefits to ShipMonk. The hall, built on a brownfield site of a former engineering plant, is located in one of the "greenest" industrial parks, Panattoni Park Cheb South. During the redevelopment, 90% of the construction and demolition waste was recycled and used directly in the landscaping of the redeveloped site.

The new hall is targeting the highest BREEAM certification rating. The first completed building at this Panattoni park has already been awarded the highest Outstanding rating under BREEAM New Construction certification, making it the world's greenest industrial building in 2016 thanks to its record score of 90.68%. The hall for ShipMonk will use rainwater for flushing and the building is ready for the installation of rooftop photovoltaics and their full use. This will significantly reduce water and electricity consumption.

Transport connections

The reduction in transport time contributes to customer satisfaction, and customers then use the service repeatedly. While the standard shipping time from the US to Europe is 15 calendar days, ShipMonk will now allow delivery of goods within 2 to 5 days.

The new building at Panattoni Park Cheb South offers excellent connections to all 750 million potential customers in the European Union. The E42 road connecting Prague and Nuremberg is close by, making it a fast connection to Germany. Also nearby is the l/21 road connecting to the D5 motorway, which runs from Prague to Rozvadov. The accessibility of the railway corridor from Prague to Nuremberg is also an advantage. The container terminal in Hof is only 54 kilometres away and the international airport in Karlovy Vary is 45 minutes away. A local railway line provides rail connections to the border areas of Germany and the Czech Republic.

Billion-dollar start-up

ShipMonk founder and CEO Jan Bednar began building his path to business at the age of 17 when he went to the US to study at Florida Atlantic University. After graduating in 2014, he founded his first company, ShipMonk, which offers logistics services combining world-class technology and innovation for brands of all types and sizes. Today, it is a leader in its field, providing services through 12 logistics centers.

"Jan Bednář founded a start-up that has become a leader in logistics and e-commerce in the USA and is already entering the Czech Republic with the attribute of a unicorn. We are honored and delighted to have been able to realize their first logistics building in Europe for ShipMonk. The building is tailor-made to meet all the client's requirements and strict criteria for sustainable operation. At the same time, it is an ideal location for European distribution," says Pavel Sovička, Panattoni's Managing Director for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Jan Bednář adds: "If you want to be a globally successful brand, you need to sell and prosper globally. That's why we are excited to expand our capabilities not only in Europe, but also around the world to support the successful and efficient growth of the e-commerce sector."

ShipMonk is also expanding - after the US, Mexico and Canada - its presence in Europe. This enables it to offer e-tailers a comprehensive fulfillment service, shorter delivery times and lower shipping costs.