Detmold, 4 May 2023. The Detmold-based Weidmüller Group has officially opened its new logistics centre in the municipality of Hörselberg-Hainich. With the Weidmüller Distribution Center (WDC), the globally active electronics and electrical connectivity company is strengthening its sustainable local-for-local alignment and optimising its Central European logistics processes. Operations have already begun at the logistics centre in February 2023.
With the completion and opening of the WDC, Weidmüller has successfully concluded its largest single investment project in the company’s history to date. Not far from Eisenach, a new logistics centre was built on a total area of 72,000 square metres over the course of around two years. With the WDC, Weidmüller is significantly and sustainably optimising its logistics processes. The state-of-the-art building complex is located about ten kilometres away from the site of Thüringische Weidmüller GmbH (TWG). It is largely automated and provides end-to-end digitalised as well as flexibly networked delivery and customer service. “The logistics requirements of the future are becoming more complex and dynamic. Thanks to the forward-looking and innovative design of the logistics centre, we are already meeting many customer requirements of the future,” explains Volker Bibelhausen, Weidmüller’s Chief Technology Officer and Speaker of the Executive Board. He adds: “In this way, we are offering better customer service and setting the course for further growth, more flexibility and greater sustainability.”
Sustainable and cutting-edge
In designing the WDC, Weidmüller combined cutting-edge logistics technologies with sustainable building components. In addition to a partial roof greening, powerful photovoltaic systems and an energy-efficient heat pump were also integrated. Overall, the new logistics centre fits into the company’s sustainable local-for-local strategy: At the Thuringia site, the WDC has established a central transshipment point for products manufactured by Weidmüller in Central Europe. Shortened transport and delivery routes will lead to significant CO2 savings in the future. In addition, over 80 new jobs will be created on site. Dr Sebastian Durst, Chief Operations Officer at Weidmüller, emphasises the cutting-edge alignment of the new building: “Our new logistics centre combines the possibilities of automation and digitalisation with our high standards of sustainability and efficiency. At the same time, we are revolutionising our logistics processes for the long term.”
Logistics centre officially unveiled
On Thursday, 4 May 2023, the Detmold-based family-owned company presented its new building complex to approximately 200 invited guests. Mr Christian Blum (Mayor of the municipality of Hörselberg-Hainich) as well as Mr Andreas Krey (Managing Director of Landesentwicklungsgesellschaft Thüringen) were among those present. Dr Katja Böhler (State Secretary in the Thuringian Ministry of Economy, Science and Digital Society) was also present at the opening ceremony: “The investment project of the Weidmüller company clearly demonstrates the huge economic potential of the region and the whole of Thuringia. It’s wonderful to see how the company is helping to shape the region’s promising future sustainably.”
In personal discussions and a detailed tour of the building complex, Weidmüller explained future processes to guests at its new logistics centre and was available to answer questions.