Logistics transformation in Poland: A thirty-year journey through the eyes of FM Logistic

It lacked modern infrastructure, technology, but also know-how in cutting-edge supply chain management methods and a professional process approach. Things started to pick up with international logistics companies entering the Polish market. Nowadays, logistics has become one of the most dynamic and innovative sectors of the Polish economy, not only keeping pace with European trends, but very often contributing to their development.

With international logistics operators entering the Polish market, we saw a shift in supply chain management, infrastructure, and the way logistics became a key part of business. One of the first operators to start up in Poland was FM Logistic, a French company that’s been here since 1995. “We entered the Polish market with know-how that was ahead of the times. By investing in our own warehouses and infrastructure tailored to comprehensive logistics operations, not only were we able to offer cutting-edge services, but also actively shape the course of the industry,” emphasises Rafał Woźniak, Poland Operations Director at FM Logistic.

Thirty years later, logistics in Poland ranks among the country’s best-developed economic sectors, boasting an extensive warehouse network, modern transport infrastructure and a growing stake in European supply chains. The value of our logistics industry is also increasingly recognised by foreign investors who decide to allocate their capital in Poland.

Chasing after the ever-changing needs of clients and the retail and online shopping boom, logistics operators have had to demonstrate great flexibility in their offerings. Over the decades, their ability to swiftly tailor their services to evolving consumer trends helped many logistics companies secure their position on the Polish and European markets. 

It was a game changer when operators started taking on tasks related to getting products ready for sale. Additional services like co-packing and co-manufacturing naturally became an add-on to contract logistics, letting clients outsource products packing and picking while cutting investment costs. 

Recent technological revolution has been another milestone in the industry’s development. The growing role of robotics and automation, combined with increasingly complex operations, prompted investment in cutting-edge warehouse tech to support teams in their day-to-day work. “This has completely transformed the way tasks are carried out in the warehouse. Our platforms now feature advanced WMS systems, Locus robots that work alongside employees to pick orders, and automatic sorting lines. This has boosted operational efficiency and cut order completion times,” adds Rafał Woźniak from FM Logistic.

Equally noteworthy is a trend that has been increasingly impacting the entire economy in recent years: sustainable development and green regulations, which set the course for many companies. FM Logistic proactively responds to these challenges by implementing its Powering 2030 strategy, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality in its warehouses. It takes specific measures – from route optimisation and renewable energy sourcing for warehouses to plastic reduction in packing processes – to support its carbon footprint targets.

However, the most significant transformation in the industry over the last decade has been driven by the dramatic growth of e-commerce. Compared to the 1990s, logistics today is beyond recognition. Online shopping has completely changed the customer service mindset – short delivery times, product availability across multiple retail channels, and sales and logistics systems integration have become standard.

“Over the past years, we have been working hard to expand our distribution network and build up the skills to handle orders quickly in the fast-paced world of e-commerce. Our logistics centres are set up to support multiple distribution channels, which means our clients can maintain sales continuity even during peak periods,” explains Rafał Woźniak from FM Logistic. 

The National Chamber of Commerce estimates, based on data from the Central Statistical Office, that in January 2025, e-commerce turnover reached nearly PLN 7 billion. This means that the industry grew by 9.4% year-on-year, which is the top result in the last five years. Given the sheer scale of operations and the dynamics of e-commerce growth in the coming years, the logistics industry must constantly keep pace with evolving trends and adapt flexibly to new market challenges. 

The 30-year history of FM Logistic in Poland features bold decisions that have enabled the company to secure a strong foothold in the market. From the very beginning, the company opted for a business model that relied on its own logistics hubs – modern facilities towering over the buildings of the time and, as a result, much more functional. In the mid-1990s, this was ahead of the curve and paved the way for services beyond warehousing, like co-packing and co-manufacturing. It is still the company’s guiding principle today.

In the following years, FM Logistic consistently expanded its range of services, entering new sectors and meeting the diverse needs of its clients. Now, the company supports high-demand industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, which need top quality standards, advanced procedures, and special storage and transport conditions. At the same time, demand for operational flexibility grew both in terms of volume and geographical reach. With the opening of borders following Poland’s accession to the European Union, both the country and the company entered a new era of rapid growth. New opportunities prompted the launch of a Central European cluster, making it possible to provide coordinated customer service across a larger geographical area. FM Logistic’s comprehensive offering has also been enhanced by the development of its transport services. With our modern fleet and alternative transport options like intermodal transport, we’ve built up our distribution network and international connections. This means we can offer more efficient and accessible solutions for both big and small orders, while keeping our quality high and operating costs low.

“Thirty years of operating on the Polish market have provided us with an opportunity not only to observe, but also actively contribute to the changes taking place in the logistics industry. Poland has become a strategic operational hub, but also a valuable source of expertise that we now leverage across Central Europe. The transformation that the logistics industry has undergone over the past 30 years is also a unique chapter in our company’s history, full of challenges but also great achievements,” concludes Rafał Woźniak.