Freudenberg Sealing Technologies Dedicates New Facility in Hamburg

“We are investing in this facility with complete conviction. A decades-long success story ties us to Hamburg. We have had a presence here for nearly 50 years,” said Dr. Matthias Sckuhr, CEO of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in his opening address. “Together with our partners, we have constructed a building that sets new standards – in the fields of warehousing, digitalization and sustainability.”

From Hamburg-Wandsbek, Freudenberg Sealing Technologies supplies original equipment manufacturers in the general industry sector as well as well-known customers in the technical trade. The move to the city’s east side is occurring because the current space has not kept pace with the growth in orders.

The new warehouse has about 8,800 square meters (94,700 square feet) of space, or about 30 percent more usable space than its predecessor. Its Autostore technology maximizes warehouse capacity by providing higher density for equivalent footprints. It thus offers three to four times the warehousing capacity of a manual facility. In a semi-automated process, 22 robots convey up to 65,000 containers in and out through 13 different ports. Today, thanks to the new technology, more than 30,000 pre-stored articles are picked more quickly and efficiently, accelerating shipments to the customer.

As the facility was reconceived, a high value was placed on sustainability and energy efficiency, with a focus on photovoltaics, district heating, green roofing and an energy-efficient Autostore system, among other features. The new facility meets the requirements for gold certification set by the German Sustainable Building Council.

About 70 guests from the local political and business communities as well as the Freudenberg Group were invited to the dedication. Aside from Dr. Sckuhr, the speakers included Dr. Andreas Dressel, Hamburg’s senator for finance. A tour of the new spaces and a social gathering followed the official ceremony.