DACHSER invests in its Karlsruhe location
DACHSER is investing more than EUR 20 million in an expansion of its existing logistics center in Malsch, near Karlsruhe. Construction work on a new high bay storage facility covering 21,800 square meters and with approx. 43,000 pallet spaces is in full swing. The specially equipped facility is also designed to permit the safe storage of chemical products and hazardous materials such as paints, coatings, and adhesives. The facility will become operational in the first quarter of 2019.
Malsch, Germany has been home to DACHSER Logistikzentrum Karlsruhe GmbH & Co. KG since 2012. The decision to expand the logistics center was made in response to growing demand from companies in the chemical industry. “Baden-Württemberg is one of the top five German states for chemical industry revenue. As such, there is strong demand here for logistics companies that can serve as a safe, reliable transportation partner while also offering safe storage of chemical products and hazardous materials,” explains Bernd Großmann, General Manager of the Malsch branch. Malsch has developed into a pivotal location for DACHSER because of its excellent connections to France—the number one destination for German chemicals exports.
Baden-Württemberg is one of the top five German states for chemical industry revenue. As such, there is strong demand here for logistics companies that can serve as a safe, reliable transportation partner while also offering safe storage of chemical products and hazardous materials.
Bernd Großmann, General Manager of the Malsch branch“DACHSER has made multiple investments in contract logistics, creating more than 300,000 new pallet spaces in the past few years. Now, this new hazardous materials facility lets us offer a strong network for the chemical industry in southwest Germany, with specially equipped warehouses in Karlsruhe, Mannheim, Überherrn and Ulm,” says Alexander Tonn, Managing Director European Logistics Germany at DACHSER, who is responsible for DACHSER's German business in the transport and storage of industrial goods.
Safety has top priority
DACHSER is highly experienced in dealing with hazardous materials and serves as a reliable partner to the chemical industry, which demands the highest safety standards. The new hazardous materials facility will be divided into nine sections separated by firewalls. Each section will have an automatic fire extinguishing system with ceiling sprinklers, featuring shelf sprinkler systems as well. A number of sections will also have a gas warning system as well as a fire extinguishing system with foam additives. Moreover, the reinforced concrete facility floor will feature special sealing sheets and will be built lower to retain fire-fighting water. Meanwhile, barriers at the wastewater inflows offer increased groundwater protection.
DACHSER has been a cooperation partner of German chemical industry association (Verband der Chemischen Industrie VCI) since 2009; when transporting and storing chemical products, it applies safety and quality standards that go beyond legal requirements. For instance, the company has a central dangerous goods management team and 197 regional dangerous goods safety officers. In addition, the logistics provider offers an industry solution tailored to the particular needs of the chemical industry: DACHSER Chem-Logistics.