DACHSER has decided to invest approximately US$48 million in a new logistics facility in Unna, east of Dortmund.
The development will include a 22,000-pallet warehouse, a transit terminal with 9,400 m² of floor space, and an office building, with operations set to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025.
Initially, around 120 employees will work at the site, with staffing expected to grow to 290 over time.
“This new construction project strengthens our presence for customers in the eastern Ruhr region and helps position us for the future,” stated Jürgen Sobkowiak, General Manager of DACHSER Dortmund, at the groundbreaking ceremony. “Over the next few months, a state-of-the-art logistics facility with a special focus on sustainability and good working conditions will be built here.”
“This new hub doesn’t just benefit customers in the region; it’s also good for our employees and strengthens the entire DACHSER network,” commented Andreas Fritsch, Managing Director of European Logistics Germany at DACHSER.
The groundbreaking ceremony on 28 October was attended by Dirk Wigant, mayor of Unna, Sascha Dorday from the Unna District Economic Development Agency, and representatives from DACHSER and the LIST Group, the general contractor.
The logistics facility will feature a 10,800 m² multi-user warehouse with 22,000 pallet spaces for storing goods from various industrial clients. Employees at the facility will offer numerous value-added services, including assembling promotional packs, labelling, special packaging, custom assembly, and display building.
Adjacent to the warehouse, a 9,400 m² goods handling centre with 94 truck docking gates will be constructed, supporting efficient shipment distribution through DACHSER’s groupage network and short-distance transportation. The transit terminal will also feature the award-winning @ILO technology, which, as the 2023 German Logistics Award winner, uses a digital twin to streamline handling processes, eliminate manual scanning for incoming goods, and improve transparency across groupage operations.
Additionally, a modern 3,500 m² administration building is being built on-site. The facility’s design prioritizes energy efficiency and sustainability, with an 800-kilowatt photovoltaic system installed on the warehouse roof, green roofing on the transit terminal and office building, and the use of eco-friendly materials like glulam beams. A heat pump will regulate office temperatures, and charging stations for battery-electric cars and trucks will be available.
