Fürth, 22 July - On Monday morning, the logistics and service centre of the uvex group was officially opened in Rednitzhembach, Metropolitan Region Nuremberg. After 2.5 years of construction, the commissioning began in early July with initial partial quantities in a trial operation. By the end of the year, the logistics centre of the Fürth family business will start live operations. The workforce from the previous logistics location in Schwabach will move into the new building complex. By the end of the year, around 120 employees will be working at the site.
"This major investment 2 ½ years ago in the future viability of our group came at an inopportune time, right in the middle of the Corona pandemic, but it was unavoidable. We are very pleased to now be able to realise the calculated potentials and to be able to go live in the near future," said Michael Winter, managing partner and CEO of the uvex group. "The first test package was already shipped at the beginning of July."
35,000 square metres of space, 30 metres in height, over 30,000 pallet spaces, and 286,000 container spaces: With this historically highest investment in buildings, the uvex group has created space for further growth. "With a high degree of automation and homogeneous process solutions, we ensure highly modern and efficient service and logistics solutions for our customers in the long term," explained Michael Winter. The previous warehouse locations, including Schwabach, were fully utilised and had no expansion options. Additionally, the partially old buildings and different IT infrastructures could no longer meet the requirements for uniform modern warehousing technology.
Hand in Hand with Municipality, Trades, and Partners
"The fact that we were able to realise our logistics location in direct proximity to our Fürth headquarters is thanks to the municipality of Rednitzhembach," explained Michael Winter. "Here we found an optimal location for us to move in close proximity to our previous warehouse of the uvex safety group in Schwabach with all employees. This location marks the future of logistics for the entire uvex group." With the million-pound investment, the group underscores its commitment to the location within the Nuremberg metropolitan region.
The Corona pandemic posed several challenges for logistics project manager Thomas Heinicke during planning and implementation. These included price developments in the raw material markets and the availability of materials and personnel. "In this difficult environment, we were still able to largely meet our time and cost targets," explained Thomas Heinicke. "This was only possible thanks to significant efforts from all involved and the very good cooperation with the municipality, the general contractors, and all companies involved in the project."
Sustainable Certification
In the new logistics and service centre, the uvex group combines modern logistics technology with sustainable building components. "Every solution begins with the responsibility to protect not only people but also the environment," explains Michael Winter. "Our mission of protecting people derives our obligation to act sustainably as well as socially and socially responsibly." The logistics building is pre-certified to the DGNB Gold Standard (German Sustainable Building Council). It was built to the KfW 40 standard. Instead of fossil fuels, a wood chip heating system, supplied by regional suppliers from sustainable forestry, and heat pumps are used. A PV system with 4,500 m² of PV module area generates more than 760 kWp peak power, which would be consumed by about 200 four-person households on average. Additionally, measures to promote biodiversity were taken, such as a green roof and a planting plan on the site.
Logistics Centre Officially Presented
On Monday, 22 July 2024, the Fürth family business presented its new building complex to around 40 invited guests. Among others, Jürgen Spahl, Mayor of the municipality of Rednitzhembach, Klaus Helmrich, Treasurer of the municipality of Rednitzhembach, and District Administrator Ben Schwarz were present.
They paid great respect to the company for the well-thought-out and successful combination of logistics and sustainability. "This is regional value creation par excellence." As district administrator, he was naturally pleased with the choice of location in the district, which was certainly a good one due to its proximity to the headquarters. Schwarz promised: "You will feel at home here."
Mayor Jürgen Spahl was pleased that Rednitzhembach's most important employer had started operations. The municipality is proud to have gained a globally operating player that is still a family business.
Michael Winter, managing partner and CEO of the uvex group, Georg Höfler, CFO/COO of the uvex group, and logistics project manager Thomas Heinicke provided information about the construction project and were available for questions. In personal conversations and during a tour of the logistics centre, the guests were introduced to the future processes.
The planning process for the building started in spring 2020. The selection of partners for construction and logistics was completed by the groundbreaking ceremony in September 2021. After the substantial completion of the building in March 2024, another important milestone was reached with today's opening. In early July, the logistics centre began trial operations with the shipment of partial quantities before it will finally start live operations at the end of the year. Over the next few months, further internal and external warehouse locations will be moved to Rednitzhembach. According to current planning, 250 to 300 employees could work at the site in the final stage.
