New building in Hamm-Rhynern: Logistics centre with electricity generation for e-vehicles

 

• Express service trans-o-flex expands capacity to handle increasing volumes: Investment of 17 million euros
• One site for two networks: Handling with active temperature control at 2 to 8 and 15 to 25 degrees Celsius
• Higher productivity and synergies: ThermoMed site to be integrated in trans-o-flex Express

To increase the capacity within its German network in view of increasing transport volumes so as to improve production processes and to be able to use lighter electrically powered vehicles, the express service trans-o-flex is building a new facility on the eastern edge of the Ruhr region. The sum of around 17 million euros is expected to be invested in the logistics centre in Hamm-Rhynern, whose construction is planned to commence in 2019 and which is due to be commissioned in early 2020. "In Hamm-Rhynern, we will for the first time be establishing a standard that will serve as a benchmark in future for conversions and new buildings", says Wolfgang P. Albeck, Chairman of trans-o-flex's Management Board.

This includes for example a photovoltaic system on the roof of the more than 8,000 square metre handling hall and the preparation for electric charging stations at each of the 115 gates. "We can use the energy to operate the fully automatic sorting system, to control the temperature of the load compartments of the vehicles before loading and to charge the batteries of possible electric vehicles", adds Albeck. The centre will be tailored for use within the trans-o-flex network and, for this reason, permits handling in different temperature ranges. "We will be handling goods in the ambient range of 15 to 25 degrees as well as in the refrigerated range between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius." The ThermoMed site in Dortmund, which is responsible for the transport of refrigerated pharmaceuticals, will be integrated into the new facility in Hamm-Rhynern. "This is how we create more synergies between our different networks."

The facility will be built on a 33,000 square metre site. For construction and operation according to the latest environmental and energy-related aspects, the logistics centre will be clad for example with a particularly thick layer of insulation on its outer skin and equipped with LED lighting technology. Furthermore, a special rainwater infiltration system is planned, which will be installed on the neighbouring site.