Goodman and DB Schenker Logistics has celebrated the topping out of the company's new automotive logistics center, together with Burkhard Jung, Mayor of the City of Leipzig, and representatives from the local political and business communities.
"It is impressive to see how quickly the work is progressing: the construction commenced in March and today we are celebrating the topping out," said Andreas Fleischer, Goodman Country Manager for Germany.
"We are delighted to be working with DB Schenker. Their confidence in Goodman demonstrates our proven concept of developing customized and flexible property solutions to meet the precise requirements of our customers," he said.
The logistics center will have a total area of 81,000 m² and is tailored to the industry-specific requirements of the automotive sector. It is the third project that Goodman has developed in Germany for DB Schenker Logistics.
"For us, it is one of the biggest projects in the history of the company. Very soon up to 50 sea containers per day will be picked, packed and prepared in the new sorting center with vehicle modules from the neighboring BMW works for the production plants of the traditional car maker in Shenyang, China and Rosslyn, South Africa.
"Naturally, the standards demanded of the property and of Goodman are high," explains Dr. Michael A. Kluger, Chairman of Contract Logistics / SCM at Schenker Deutschland AG.
The facility is one of the largest developments currently under construction in Germany and solidifies Goodman's position as the market leader in the development and management of logistics properties in Germany.
The logistics center is divided into five units, which will be progressively handed over to DB Schenker Logistics between July and November of this year. On completion, the project will have a total of 52,400 m² storage space and 2,000 m² office space will be available.
In addition, an 8,600 m² covered side-loading area is being created along with 18,000 m² of outside storage. The 35 loading ramps can be extended to include an additional 15 ramps should they be required in the future.
Since April, there has been a lightweight tent on the site, where staff are being trained and initial parts are being stored. Schenker Deutschland AG will create up to 600 jobs on the new site.
"I am thrilled with the expansion of the logistics center for DB Schenker Logistics. It serves as a symbol of Leipzig's capacity as a growing logistics location, and is further proof that the economic development of our city is going in the right direction: towards new investments in key sectors and towards more jobs," said Burkhard Jung, Mayor of the city of Leipzig.
Goodman has included a number of sustainable features in the development, including a solar thermal plant for water processing on the roof of the office building, and will seek a silver certification rating from the German society for sustainable construction (DGNB).
Source: Goodman
