One of the largest revitalization projects in the Southern Germany has been completed: On 22 May, Mercedes-Benz AG, Seifert Logistics Group and the project developer, Panattoni opened the International Consolidation Center (ICC) in Bischweier in the District of Rastatt in the presence of numerous attendees and honoured guests from the political and economic sectors. The new logistics centre will act as a central consolidation point for the supply of the international production network and was built on a portion of the 250,000 m², revitalized grounds of a former chipboard factory. Due to its structural and operative construction, it is considered a landmark project.
Stefan Bohn, Managing Director at Panattoni Germany, Elke Pusskeiler, Vice President Supply Chain Management at Mercedes-Benz AG, and Axel Frey, CEO of the Seifert Logistics Group, greeted around 100 guests with statements to the stage. Numerous high-ranking representatives from the political sector came to Bischweier to attend the celebratory hand-off, including Barbara Bosch, State Councillor of the State Government of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Sylvia M. Felder, District President from Karlsruhe and the District Administrator of the District of Rastatt, Prof. Dr. Christian Dusch and the Mayor of the Municipality of Bischweier, Robert Wein.
In the future, the ICC will make a significant contribution towards Mercedes-Benz AG’s supply chain on both the regional and international levels. On a usable surface area of 130,000 m², components will be bundled, pre-assembled and prepared for supply to the production facilities. To this end, the logistics centre will employ around 500 employees in the future. In addition to strengthening Mittelbaden as a financial centre, the ICC scores points with its excellent transport connection and a consistently sustainable logistics strategy. Panattoni and Mercedes-Benz are having the ICC certified in accordance with the criteria set forth by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen [German Association for Sustainable Construction] (DGNB) and is aiming to obtain the DGNB platinum certificate.
Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner Panattoni Germany and Austria: “The ICC Bischweier is a real landmark project for Panattoni. We turned a Brownfield industrial site that had gone unused for years into a modern logistics site for Mercedes-Benz AG with excellent cooperation and planning with the economic and political actors. With an 80,000 m² photovoltaics system on the roof, the use of heat pumps for energy, the reuse of 250,000 tons of demolition material in the new structure and electrification of the loading tunnel in order to charge electric trucks make the ICC a flagship project for energy sustainable development.”
Elke Pusskeiler, Vice President Supply Chain Management at Mercedes-Benz AG:
“The opening of the International Consolidation Center in Bischweier is a crucial step towards an even more efficient supply of our global production network. By consolidating material flow, we reduce regional and interregional transport and strengthen the robustness of our supply chain. At the same time, the ICC meets the highest environmental standards and contributes to our sustainable business strategy. I am very pleased that we can celebrate this milestone just under one year after the groundbreaking.”
Mercedes-Benz is relying on its collaboration with the Seifert Logistics Group to operate the new consolidation centre and will be responsible for the logistics services at the site.
Axel Frey, CEO of the Seifert Logistics Group: “The hand-off of the ICC marks the start of a new chapter in our years-long partnership with Mercedes-Benz. As a logistics service provider, we contribute towards ensuring the supply of the international production network functions smoothly. We are proud to be part of this pioneering project.”
The local focus and, at the same time, global relevance were also crucial to the municipality. The resolution for the construction of the ICC was passed by 76.2% of the citizens as part of a public participation process.
Barbara Bosch, State Councillor for Civil Society and Public Involvement of the State Government of Baden-Wuerttemberg, highlighted in her speech on the occasion of the ceremonial opening of the ICC, “The ICC is an example of a successful dialogue between the project developers and the public. The constructive collaboration and the results of the public forum showed that large projects are most successful when they are designed together from the onset. We gladly supported public involvement in the framework of the strategy for the automotive financial sector in Baden-Wuerttemberg.”
The District Administrator of the District of Rastatt, Prof. Dr. Christian Dusch, referred to the many benefits of the new establishment in his district in his speech. “The establishment of the International Consolidation Center in Bischweier will update and expand the automotive cluster in the District of Rastatt in a pioneering manner and will secure around 7,000 directly and indirectly related jobs in the region. I am very grateful to Mayor Robert Wein and his municipal council that they acted and negotiated agilely in terms of this regional responsibility.”
The Mayor of the Municipality of Bischweier, Robert Wein, says, “We have proven that public involvement and economic development can go hand-in-hand. With clear decisions, rapid implementation and communal effort, we have set a course for a successful future.”
