Groundbreaking ceremony for modern logistics in Zeulenroda

“Our investments here in Zeulenroda are a clear sign of confidence – in Germany as a business location and in the region, but above all in our employees.” This was said today by CEO Rainer Berthan at the official groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the central logistics facility.

Together with board member for technology Katharina Dietrich and head of logistics Julian Musiol, he bravely picked up a shovel. Among the guests was Thuringia's Minister of Economic Affairs, Colette Boos-John, who emphasized in her welcoming address: "It's wonderful to see something growing. Bauerfeind stands for commitment to the region and beyond. What's happening here is truly exemplary."

Also attending the ceremony were Dr. Ulli Schäfer, the district administrator of Greiz, as well as Heike Bergmann and Elvira Michel, the mayors of Zeulenroda and Weißendorf, respectively. Architects, planners, general contractors, and colleagues were also present.

Bauerfeind is investing a total of 30 million euros in two modern buildings with intelligent conveyor technology and highly automated storage solutions. "We are expanding our capacities and simultaneously investing in more effective and efficient processes," said Julian Musiol, Head of Logistics.

First, a state-of-the-art shuttle warehouse will be constructed: Spanning 740 square meters, it will store more than 45,000 containers, which will be automatically moved in and out by over 100 shuttle vehicles. This system will operate significantly faster and more flexibly than the existing automated small parts warehouse and lay the foundation for even more efficient order processing. The second new building, the pre-zone building, covers 1,200 square meters and is directly connected to the shuttle warehouse and the existing building via more than one kilometer of conveyor technology.

The two-part new building is scheduled to begin operations at the end of 2027. This will be followed by the integration of the old and new facilities and a reorganization of the existing logistics – all while all systems remain operational. If everything goes according to plan, the expansion of the central logistics center in Zeulenroda should be completed by early summer 2029. Initial earthworks, for example for stormwater retention basins, are expected to be visible as early as November.

“Many thanks to everyone who made this project possible,” emphasized Rainer Berthan, referring in his speech to the dedication of the staff and the trusting cooperation with the municipality of Weißendorf, the town of Zeulenroda, and the district of Greiz. He expressed particular gratitude to the Bauerfeind Family Foundation for their trust.