15.04.2024 | Press release

140 million euro investment: Innovative multi-level logistics property in the top location of Cologne

This year, the ThielemannGroup will start construction of an innovative multi-level logistics property on two levels in the FUSION COLOGNE quarter directly at the Niehl harbour in Cologne. Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) and the ThielemannGroup are planning to jointly develop a second state-of-the-art multi-level logistics property and intend to establish a joint venture for this purpose. The user of the multi-level logistics property I is the RECHT Logistik Group. Together with HGK, it will also utilise the second multi-level property.

Optimum utilisation of the site: In the multi-level logistics property I, the RECHT Logistics Group will take over various activities for the power tool manufacturer Makita in future.

FUSION COLOGNE is one of Germany's most modern and sustainable districts for production, logistics, research and innovation: the district is being developed by HGK, which is revitalising 55 hectares of derelict industrial space in the north of Cologne over the next few years. "We are creating an attractive campus that combines industry and trade with logistics and innovation," says Uwe Wedig, Chief Executive Officer of HGK. "A 5G-standard digital infrastructure and a wide range of measures to avoid_{CO2 emissions} will ensure maximum efficiency and sustainability."

Demand for land in the FUSION COLOGNE area is very high. The ThielemannGroup was awarded the contract for over 100,000 square metres of building land here.

"The discussions with Navid Thielemann and his team were very constructive right from the start. The ThielemannGroup's concepts fit very well with our vision for integrated transport and logistics services. That's why we decided to work together on the second site, which we want to build and utilise together."

Uwe Wedig, CEO Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG

Space-saving, efficient, sustainable

With the two construction projects and an investment volume of around 140 million euros, around 90,000 square metres of state-of-the-art logistics space will be created, which will be used for final assembly, customising in conjunction with innovative e-commerce logistics, among other things. When operating at full capacity, around 500 new jobs will be created in the two multi-level properties, which will be two storeys high on both sites.

"Space is scarce, expensive and should not be unnecessarily sealed. With our multi-level properties, we will utilise the space twice as well and thus focus on sustainability and efficiency."

Navid Thielemann, CEO ThielemannGroup

Of particular importance to the ThielemannGroup is the excellent location and infrastructure with optimal connections. "The proximity to Cologne-Bonn Airport is also important for our customers - we see this as a quadrimodal location," adds Navid Thielemann.

The aim is to achieve gold certification from the German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). Both properties use waste heat from the neighbouring AVG waste incineration plant. The sustainable local heating concept was developed jointly by FUSION COLOGNE, the energy service provider RheinEnergie and AVG. There are also plans to install a photovoltaic system on the roof, equip the property with e-charging points, a smart LED lighting concept and create attractive social and office spaces. Around 40 per cent of the façades will be greened, with further measures aimed at local water retention, greening of open spaces and species protection.

Transport handling on two levels - ThielemannGroup and HGK are planning to develop and operate the multi-level logistics property II as a joint venture.

RECHT Logistics Group on course for growth

The RECHT Logistik Group, based in Brühl (North Rhine-Westphalia), is taking over various activities for Makita, the Japanese manufacturer of hand-held power tools, across the entire area of the first multi-level logistics property I as a tenant of the ThielemannGroup. These include pre- and final assembly and customising of goods, warehousing, order picking and other logistics services.

The second, jointly invested multi-level property II is being developed by HGK and the ThielemannGroup and will be used jointly by the RECHT Logistik Group and an HGK subsidiary. "We will use the logistics space for existing customers who have a need in Cologne. In addition, we assume that we will continue to grow and that our offering will attract new well-known customers. The demand for efficient and sustainable logistics services in economically strong North Rhine-Westphalia is high," explains Christian Karl Flick, CEO of the RECHT Logistik Group.

Both HGK and the ThielemannGroup attach great importance to combining industry and trade with light industrial, logistics and innovation. The ThielemannGroup supports numerous start-ups under its umbrella, in which it itself is involved as an entrepreneur. "Our goal is a completely new type of end-to-end supply chain that puts retail and production supply chains at the centre and supports them with a comprehensive, solution-oriented offering," says Navid Thielemann. "We will also bring these innovations to the Cologne site in order to set new standards in terms of sustainability, efficiency and end customer satisfaction."

Perfect location - best views

The location in the north of Cologne offers the best conditions for fast connections: The FUSION COLOGNE quarter is connected to all modes of transport. The Niehl Rhine port, a bimodal container terminal for combined transport with five tracks and three gantry cranes for handling block trains, the A1 and A3 motorways and the Leverkusen motorway junction are all in the immediate vicinity. Cologne-Bonn Airport can be reached in just under half an hour.

At the kick-off event on 15 April 2024, HGK and ThielemannGroup welcomed Henriette Reker, Mayor of the City of Cologne, and Daniel Sieveke, State Secretary in the Ministry of Regional Identity, Communities and Local Government, Building and Digitalisation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. Both took the honour of commenting on the planned projects with a personal greeting:

Henriette Reker, Lord Mayor of Cologne:

"FUSION COLOGNE is consistently orientated towards the city strategy 'Cologne Perspectives 2030+' and is therefore one of the key projects in our urban development. Over the next few years, private investors are expected to invest 250 million euros here and create more than 1,000 new jobs."

Daniel Sieveke, State Secretary at the Ministry of Regional Identity, Communities and Local Government, Building and Digitalisation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia:

"From brownfield to building site: FUSION COLOGNE brings space activation and sustainable construction under one roof. The revitalisation of spaces requires creative potential and the courage to try out and rethink. I am delighted that an innovative and sustainable commercial and industrial site is being created here in the north of Cologne. This makes FUSION COLOGNE a real showcase project. With a high proportion of green roofs and façades, photovoltaic systems, climate-neutral heat supply, rainwater utilisation and on-site infiltration, the project makes an important contribution to climate protection and helps to improve the urban climate. It shows: With clever minds, courage and innovation, we are leading the way in North Rhine-Westphalia."

At the launch event on the FUSION COLOGNE site, a model of the two two-storey logistics properties was unveiled together with guests of honour Henriette Reker, Mayor of the City of Cologne, and Daniel Sieveke, State Secretary in the Ministry of Homeland, Municipal Affairs, Building and Digitalisation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

In the picture from left to right: Navid Thielemann, Christian Flick, Henriette Reker, Daniel Sieveke, Uwe Wedig