“With this investment – the largest in the company’s history – the shareholders and management are ensuring Häfele’s continued development in its second century of operation. We believe in the people who work for us and with us. We believe in the future – despite all the uncertainties we have experienced in recent years and which we will continue to face. And we believe in this region.” Sibylle Thierer, Chairperson of Häfele’s Board of Directors
“With the new building, we are taking a major step forward in terms of technology and increasing our dispatch capacities at the existing logistics centre. But we are also introducing a new concept: The goods now come to the individual rather than the other way round. We are making workstations significantly more ergonomic, while at the same time being more efficient and productive.” Boris Katic, Managing Director for Supply Chain
Häfele has opened a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Nagold. With the opening of its new logistics facility, Häfele is sending a clear signal regarding its long-term development. This investment in Germany as a business location underlines Häfele’s commitment to its hometown of Nagold in the northern Black Forest.
The new building is part of a comprehensive project for the future that combines a state-of-the-art logistics facility with spaces for innovation, events and socializing.
“With this investment – the largest in the company’s history – the shareholders and management are ensuring Häfele’s continued development in its second century of operation. We believe in the people who work for us and with us. We believe in the future – despite all the uncertainties we have experienced in recent years and which we will continue to face. And we believe in this region,” said Sibylle Thierer, Chairperson of Häfele’s Board of Directors.
Highlighting the operational advancements enabled by the new facility, Boris Katic, Managing Director for Supply Chain, said: “With the new building, we are taking a major step forward in terms of technology and increasing our dispatch capacities at the existing logistics centre. But we are also introducing a new concept: The goods now come to the individual rather than the other way round. We are making workstations significantly more ergonomic, while at the same time being more efficient and productive.”
Häfele’s customers will benefit from shorter lead times and greater flexibility. In future, it will even be possible to process and dispatch customer requests received late in the day on the same day. Even with fluctuating demand and periods of high order volumes, the new processes enable a fast and reliable same-day delivery service.
With its new logistics facility, Häfele is boosting its dispatch capacity at its Nagold headquarters and, together with Lehrte and other European sites, is developing the location into an efficient network. It combines technological excellence with a commitment to staff, customers and the local community, thereby laying the foundations for the next stages of development for the family-run business.
A commitment to responsible practices characterizes the project, from the construction phase right through to day-to-day operation. The energy concept combines one of Germany’s largest ice energy storage systems with heat pumps and photovoltaic panels on the roof and facade. As a result, the building complex is designed to be energy self-sufficient in terms of heating and cooling.
Häfele is also committed to conserving resources in its construction work. A total of 28,000 tonnes of demolition waste were reused, while 30 per cent of the tower is made from recycled concrete. The KfW-40 standard, unusual for a building of this scale as well as the desired DGNB Gold and QNG-PLUS certifications further underline this commitment.
This commitment to conserving resources also extends to the company’s operations.
“With the new automated packaging process, we will be able to significantly reduce the amount of filler material used, lower the height of parcels and thus reduce the transport volume,” said Boris Katic, adding, “Alongside the many steps we are taking behind the scenes to become more sustainable, this will send a clear and important message to our customers that we are meeting their expectations regarding sustainable packaging.”
