Construction of the new International Consolidation Center (ICC) for Mercedes-Benz AG has started

With the initial ground breaking, the construction of the new Mercedes-Benz AG International Consolidation Center (ICC) in Bischweier (District of Rastatt) officially started on 25 April. This special event was celebrated by the project developer, Panattoni Germany and Mercedes-Benz along with numerous attendees and honoured guests. The project will be realized on an existing site that is already used for industrial purposes and is setting standards with regard to sustainability. The realisation of the project was preceded by a dialogue with involved citizens.

In the next few months, a modern logistics centre with a total usable area of 130,000 m² will be built the former Kronospan premises which is approx. 250,000 m². It will act as a central consolidation point for Mercedes-Benz to supply the international production network, contain vehicle components and meet the highest sustainability standards.

As one of several measures, the construction materials from the building formerly on the site will be recycled and reused for the new building. The logistics centre will be constructed in accordance with the platinum standard set forth by the Deutschen Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB) [German Association for Sustainable Construction]. Sustainability will also be implemented with regard to transport: Short transport routes by lorry will be successively converted to electric and the reactivated rail connection on the premises will play a key role in production supply over long distances.

Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner at Panattoni Germany and Austria, was pleased with the excellent collaboration, “We are please that Mercedes-Benz AG approached this project with the same demands regarding sustainability as we have. The people and the region will also benefit from the new ICC in Bischweier. It is a lighthouse project for all of the parties involved.”

Klaus Bücheler, Head of Logistics Planning at Mercedes-Benz AG, explains on the occasion of the official start of construction, “Mercedes-Benz considers the entire value creation chain in its sustainable business strategy. The ICC in Bischweier will make a significant contribution in the future on the regional level and for our global production network. We are please to be realising the ICC in cooperation with Panattoni and in collaboration with the municipality and the citizens of Bischweier as a significant milestone in our transport strategy. We are helping to strengthen the Rastatt plant and the region long-term.”

The Bischweier site is an ideal site for the new ICC due to its proximity to the Mercedes-Benz plant in Rastatt and the pressing plant in Kuppenheim as well as the good transport route connection. The new logistics centre will employ around 500 employees and thus strengthen the economic region of Murgtal.

Robert Wein, Mayor of the Municipality of Bischweier highlighted the significance of the project for the region. “The ICC is a lighthouse project for successful citizen participation and a good collaboration between citizens, the administration and the economy,” says Robert Wein, Mayor. “With the people, for the people. Clear decisions. Rapid processes. We proved the economic potential of our municipality and are making a valuable contribution towards a successful structural change and a good, profitable future for Mercedes-Benz and the people in our region.” 

The District Administrator of the District of Rastatt Prof. Dr. Christian Dusch said the following about the new establishment, “With the establishment of the International Consolidation Center in Bischweier, the automotive cluster in the District of Rastatt is being expanded. The future-oriented topics of economy, climate and mobility in the district are being taken into account. As a result of the excellent collaboration between Mercedes-Benz AG, Panattoni and Mayor Robert Wein or the Municipality of Bischweier, we were able to quickly proceed with the necessary permitting processes. I am particularly pleased that the project stands for active citizen participation.”

The State Administrator of the State Government of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Barbara Bosch, also praised the implementation of the procedure entailing a dialogue with involved citizens, “Large investments always bring up questions locally that need to be discussed with the people. The citizens’ forum allowed for a balanced debate regarding the ICC, developed recommendations to improve the plan and thus ultimately prepared the ultimate decision very well. A benefit to everyone involved!”