Planning and building greener

Investing in a new warehouse building is associated with a number of challenges. Simply drawing up a concept, selecting trades, carrying out the tendering process and project planning for construction and intralogistics usually exceeds the core competence of the client or customer. Against this background, SSI Schaefer has further strengthened its internal construction department in recent years, linked it closely with plant engineering and developed a coordinated overall concept for project implementation as a general contractor for intralogistics and construction. "We offer a complete package for the realization of modern logistics systems and assume responsibility for all project phases and all necessary tasks - from preliminary planning and site selection to the equipment and support of the turnkey system," explains Stefan Behrendt, Head of Construction Management at SSI Schaefer.

SSI Schaefer's construction department even takes care of the upstream processes: it advises the client on site selection and development and provides support in coordinating with authorities and administrations. At the same time, the intralogistics specialist first defines the logistical requirements and processes together with the client in order to develop a long-term, sustainable basic logistics concept.

Considering sustainability right from the planning stage

Energy efficiency is not only a high priority when it comes to equipping intralogistics. Sustainability aspects for the most climate-neutral, low-consumption operation possible also determine the design of the logistics building. "The energy requirements of logistics buildings are often underestimated," says Behrendt and clarifies: "Even a small automated pallet warehouse can consume around 1,500 kWh per day. With an optimized energy concept, good logistics planning can offset a significant proportion of these costs." The repertoire of options ranges from integrated solar, geothermal or wind power systems, thermal insulation and heating/ventilation efficiency, energy savings through LED lighting, energy-efficient industrial trucks and conveyor technology to energy consumption management.

At the beeline logistics center, SSI Schaefer set new standards in terms of efficiency and sustainability of processes and the building envelope. Photo: SSI Schäfer

Green logistics reference project

With the realization of the central logistics center of fashion jewelry supplier beeline, SSI Schaefer as general contractor for construction and logistics has already set new standards in terms of efficiency and sustainability of processes and building envelopes in logistics. The facility in Cologne is a reference project for the potential of green logistics. The concept with two-stage batch picking, an innovative twin sorter concept and modern automation systems enables the customer to achieve throughputs of up to 10 million items per month and is therefore an intelligent solution for increasing efficiency in small-quantity picking with high volumes from a differentiated range of items.

"Sustainability and energy efficiency are right at the top of SSI Schaefer's agenda when it comes to building and equipping logistics properties," says Behrendt. "For many years, we've been labeling this with our 'Green Logistics' label. Under this label, we develop certified buildings - and offer the market an audit for the certification of sustainability and energy efficiency, including for existing properties." As part of such certifications, the experts at SSI Schaefer certify the overall performance of a building in terms of ecological, economic, socio-cultural and technical qualities as well as process quality in accordance with internationally recognized quality seals such as DGNB, LEED and BREEAM.

Permanent energy monitoring

The general contractor also provides support in setting up an energy management system with permanent energy monitoring. "In a continuous improvement process, building technology and logistics systems can be optimized step by step in terms of energy efficiency." Many of these green logistics measures are also subsidized. As a full-service provider for construction, SSI Schaefer brings "light into the jungle" of funding opportunities and opens up the relevant sources for customers.

When investing in a logistics property, awarding the contract to an intralogistics and construction specialist offers clients a number of advantages. "No delays, no late rescheduling, no interfaces or points of friction between different contractors and trades - one implementation partner with full responsibility from site selection to after-sales support," summarizes Behrendt. "With its comprehensive project management as a general contractor for intralogistics and construction, SSI Schaefer supports the client as a competent implementation partner that generates cost and efficiency benefits right from the start."

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