Continental: Groundbreaking Ceremony for Distribution Center in Langenhagen

“We are seeing increasing growth in the automotive original equipment and replacement business, so we need to further expand our existing infrastructure. The conditions at our site in Vahrenwald are no longer adequate to meet future requirements. The state-of-the-art distribution center in Langenhagen offers everything we need to ensure that we are optimally equipped to manage the dynamic vehicle parts business,” says Philip Nelles, head of the Hanover-Vahrenwald site. What’s more, surface materials from the technology company that are installed in vehicle interiors will be stored in and dispatched from the building. The cross-divisional distribution center will make processes even more efficient. Nelles describes the consolidation of this new distribution center as a “clear commitment to the Hanover region.”

Langenhagen’s Mayor Mirko Heuer: “With the planned business park, Bertram Projektmanagement GmbH is creating a cutting-edge distribution center – complete with an administrative building – that meets the specific requirements of future global distribution operations. I am delighted that with Continental as a cooperation partner, another globally successful company has chosen the business location of Langenhagen, creating a wide range of jobs at the new site and, thanks to its commitment, further consolidating the attractiveness of Langenhagen for the automotive sector, which has huge growth potential.”

“Property in Langenhagen is made for Continental. It not only leaves open future potential for expansion, but also offers excellent connections to national and international markets,” explains Benjamin Bertram, managing director of the Hanover-based project and property development company, which is working on the project together with the Lübeck-based architecture firm architekten allianz – lejeune & pflüger GmbH.

By the end of 2018, the building complex covering 34,000 m², with around 20,000 spaces for pallets and a fully automated small parts warehouse will be ready for service. This will help to make working procedures even more efficient. “The new distribution center will reduce the number of truck journeys undertaken every year by around 5,000, reducing nitrogen oxide pollution in the centers of both Hanover and Langenhagen. It will also improve safety on the approach roads to our production site in Vahrenwald,” explains Nelles.

One benefit that is also welcomed by Hanover’s Mayor Stefan Schostok: “The approach that Continental is taking is exactly right and fits in perfectly with our strategy. If truck journeys can be coordinated effectively so that half-full cargo and empty runs are avoided, this is an enormous relief for everyone. The challenge of reducing emissions in traffic requires intelligent, coordinated concepts and the commitment of all companies and individuals in Hanover. We are tackling this issue on many fronts. I therefore welcome Continental’s investment.”

The logistics for surface materials will initially start at the end of 2018 and for drive belts at the start of 2019. In the future, around 160 jobs – to be filled internally by Continental – will be based at the new site.