Skladon increases turnover to CZK 144 million in 2022 and expands its warehouse area by 60%
Skladon, one of the fastest growing technology companies in Central Europe, has had another successful year. Despite the fact that the past year was very challenging for most e-commerce players, Skladon managed to increase its turnover by CZK 23 million to a total of CZK 144 million, shipped goods to 170 countries and expanded its distribution center by more than half to its current 16,000 sq.m. The company plans to devote this year primarily to the acquisition of foreign customers and also to preparations for its upcoming expansion, which is planned for the following year. Skladon thus aims to fulfil its vision of providing clients with next day ground delivery across Europe.
Complete outsourcing of logistics, or fulfillment, is an increasingly common means for retailers to optimize their expenses in times of rising energy prices, industrial space and personnel costs. This is evidenced, among other things, by the figures of Skladon, which last year received almost 60% more goods in its Mosnov distribution center than in the previous year. As one of the three largest fulfillment providers in the Czech Republic, Skladon currently handles logistics for more than 50 medium-sized and larger retailers.
“The last few years have been extremely dynamic for the entire e-commerce scene and everyone has had to focus more than ever on streamlining their services. At Skladon, we have also focused on maximizing their individuality towards our clients, for whom a reliable and adaptable partner is now more important than ever. The year 2022 was a challenging year in many ways, but it also showed us that we are moving in the right direction and that we are delivering a service to merchants that enables them to quickly and easily optimise their costs and adapt to more stressful periods. Despite the circumstances, we have also managed to establish cooperation with several other internationally successful brands, which we see as a great success,” comments Konstantin Margaretis, CEO and co-founder of Skladon, on 2022.
Sportisimo, Wolt and Pepperfield. Fulfillment is trusted by world-class players
The fact that fulfillment is increasingly perceived as an effective solution also in the eyes of medium and large companies is proven by Skladon’s wide portfolio of clients from the ranks of sellers popular not only in our country, but also in the world. For example, it provides logistics for the Czech sports brand Kilpi or the company Skinners, which has also succeeded abroad with its unique sockshoes. In addition to the United States, the company has also successfully expanded into the German market, where, as in the Czech Republic, Skladon takes care of delivery to end customers. In addition to the existing partnerships, the company has established several more in 2022 and is currently also providing its services to the Pepperfield and Wolt brands. Since last year, several thousand meters of the Mosnov distribution center have also been used by Sportisimo, for which Skladon has been dispatching shipments to brick-and-mortar stores throughout the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria.
Increase in goods by half and tripling of space
The packaging, storage and distribution of shipments almost worldwide is managed by Skladon from its distribution center in Mosnov, which, in addition to direct access to the cargo airport, since last year also boasts a new combined transport terminal connected to the road, rail and airport. Due to increasing demand, Skladon has built on the growth of previous years and expanded its distribution center by a further 6,000 sq.m. The Mosnov warehouse has thus grown by more than 200% over the last three years to its current 16,000 sq.m. Despite the increasing interest of clients, and therefore the quantity of goods handled, Skladon has managed to maintain a high level of accuracy in order picking over the long term, namely 99.94% last year.
In addition to expanding its warehouse space, the company also focused on staff growth last year. In total, it expanded its team capacity by nearly 100%, from 51 permanent employees to 100. There were also increased integrations to e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, an expansion of the product portfolio of existing partner carriers and the establishment of cooperation with several others.
Upcoming 2023: preparing to capture key European markets and building a logistics and technology giant
For 2023, Skladon has a clear goal of intensive targeting and acquisition of foreign clients, and therefore careful preparations for the planned expansion, which the company plans to implement in 2024. The company’s vision is to build a European network of fulfillment centers to serve European countries with next-day delivery, i.e. delivery within the next day via economic ground transport. The company, which has been ranked in Deloitte’s Technology Fast50 for the third time in a row, should be helped to realise these goals by the new sales director Jan Balas with his international experience. For Skladon, building distribution centers in other key markets is a way to transform itself from a young Czech company into a pan-European logistics and technology company over the next few years.
“There is no universal rule for success. At Skladon, however, it has paid off in the long term to put the needs of our clients first and at the same time be able to adapt quickly and skillfully to the changing market situation. We perceive that our services have strong potential not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad, but we need to thoroughly analyze which foreign market can currently benefit from our product. Expansion is a very demanding business step that requires time and patience, so we do not want to rush anything. Only a long-term healthy and functioning company can continue to grow,” adds Margaretis.
