GLS has started the construction of its new depot in the industrial estate of Bornheim, NorthRhine-Westphalia, Germany, to keep up with the requirements of industrialised and sustainable
parcel logistics.The company has invested €13 million in the new hub that is expected to create 40 new jobs.With a sorting capacity of up to 55,000 parcels daily, the new depot, located close to Cologne andBonn, will be one of the biggest in Germany, GLS said in a statement. It will open in autumn 2009.
“The new building is replacing the previous hub in Bornheim-Sechtem,” explained Klaus Conrad,Managing Director GLS Germany. “The capacity there was not sufficient anymore – now we have foundthe ideal location for us which is only 2 km away.”
On a site of 33,000 sqm, the 6,000 sqm hub will be equipped with a four-string conveyortechnique, state-of-the art scan and safety technology as well as 170 loading gates. The hub can beexpanded to 227 gates and used as regional reloading point any time, when needed.
GLS has implemented the same ecological aspects in Bornheim as at the recently completed sitein Vaihingen-Enz, Southern Germany. Through a heat pump heating as the primary heating source, theCO2 emissions are reduced. There is an appliance to use rainwater and mostly fully recyclable steeland sandwich panels are used.
On time with the autumn activities, the depot is due to be put into operation. Within oneweekend, GLS will be moving from the old location in Bornheim-Sechtem to the industrial estateBornheim South. “Our staff is also going with us,” Conrad added. “About 40 new jobs will becreated.” In total, there will be then 220 employees working for GLS in Bornheim.
