Detmold, 4 May 2023. The Detmold-based Weidmuller Group has officially opened its new logistics center in the municipality of Hörselberg-Hainich. With the Weidmuller Distribution Center (WDC), the globally active electronics and electrical connectivity company is strengthening its sustainable local-for-local alignment and optimizing its Central European logistics processes. Operations have already begun at the logistics center in February 2023.
With the completion and opening of the WDC, Weidmuller has successfully concluded its largest single investment project in the company’s history to date. Not far from Eisenach, a new logistics center was built on a total area of 72,000 square meters over the course of around two years. With the WDC, Weidmuller is significantly and sustainably optimizing its logistics processes. The state-of-the-art building complex is located about ten kilometers away from the site of Thüringische Weidmuller GmbH (TWG). It is largely automated and provides end-to-end digitalized 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 center, we are already meeting many customer requirements of the future,” explains Volker Bibelhausen, Weidmuller’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, Weidmuller 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 center 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 Weidmuller 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 Weidmuller, emphasizes the cutting-edge alignment of the new building: “Our new logistics center combines the possibilities of automation and digitalization with our high standards of sustainability and efficiency. At the same time, we are revolutionizing our logistics processes for the long term.”
Logistics center 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 Weidmuller 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, Weidmuller explained future processes to guests at its new logistics center and was available to answer questions.