GERMANY- Fressnapf Group, a major player in the pet food industry in Germany, is celebrating the opening of its new state-of-the-art logistics facility, acquired in mid-August, and purpose-built by industrial project developer Panattoni.
This expansive facility, spanning 47,500 square meters in Neuruppin, now stands as the eighth logistics hub within Fressnapf’s European network.
Its primary function is to serve as a regional warehouse, strategically positioned to support the company’s future business expansion endeavors.
Panattoni meticulously designed and constructed this facility to meet Fressnapf’s specific requirements.
The facility comprises 31,700 square meters of storage and technical space, an additional 13,800 square meters of mezzanine storage space, and 1,700 square meters dedicated to office and communal spaces for employees.
With the capability to accommodate 23,000 pallets, this new logistics center is well-equipped to bolster Fressnapf’s pet retail operations across Europe, which encompasses a network of approximately 1,900 Fressnapf and Maxi Zoo stores spanning 11 countries within the region.
Christian Buschmann, Vice President of Logistics Engineering and Real Estate at Fressnapf Group, expressed the company’s commitment to Neuruppin, stating,
“We have already introduced ourselves to the citizens as part of the May and Harbor Festival and other meeting formats. As a new employer in the region, we would like to arouse interest in the exciting tasks that we offer here: from the new location, we supply markets in the north and east of Germany as well as throughout Poland and Scandinavia, thereby ensuring better coexistence between people and animals.”
The newly established Neuruppin facility enjoys a strategically advantageous location, merely a five-minute drive from the A24 federal motorway near the Berlin motorway ring.
This geographical advantage places Fressnapf in an ideal position to efficiently serve over 400 markets across northern and eastern Germany, as well as Poland and Scandinavia.
Nico Ruhle, Mayor of Neuruppin, warmly welcomed the presence of the Fressnapf Group, noting, that the establishment of companies like the Fressnapf Group aligns perfectly with the strategic vision of Neuruppin as a business hub.
“We particularly welcome the fact that around 150 new jobs will be created. Neuruppin residents and new citizens benefit, among other things, from a direct connection to the motorway and rail network as well as a good and growing offering in the areas of culture, education and social affairs,” Nico remarked.
Fressnapf pledges sustainability in operations
Sustainability was a paramount consideration in the design and construction of the new logistics facility, with Fressnapf and Panattoni striving to attain the DGNB Platinum Standard, the highest sustainability certification bestowed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen (DGNB).
To achieve this ambitious goal, Panattoni incorporated pre-equipped infrastructure for solar energy harnessing and installed rainwater collection and storage systems to support various functions within the building.
Furthermore, the facility integrates viable refrigerant flow (VRF) technology, which enables Fressnapf to heat the building without resorting to fossil fuels.
Additionally, the facility boasts charging stations for employees with electric vehicles, nesting boxes for local birds, and outdoor spaces tailored for employee comfort.
Notably, Panattoni and Fressnapf collaborated closely with the city of Neuruppin and the district’s nature conservation authority to facilitate the relocation of local sand lizard populations and create alternative habitats for them.
Fred-Markus Bohne, Managing Partner at Panattoni Germany and Austria, underlined the successful partnership and the project’s significance, underlining that through the development of this new logistics location in Neuruppin, the designer delivered a building that aligns perfectly with Fressnapf’s requirements.
“This enables the company to further advance its growth in Europe while at the same time meeting high sustainability standards. At the end of the project, we would like to once again emphasize the excellent collaboration and express our thanks to everyone involved for the smooth collaboration,” Bohne remarked.
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