Topping-out ceremony for the new NORDWEST logistics centre in Alsfeld
Dortmund, 24 September 2025 – On 23 September, NORDWEST Handel AG and ROTHENBERGER Real Estates held a topping-out ceremony with around 150 guests to celebrate the construction progress of the new NORDWEST central warehouse in Alsfeld, Hesse. The newly developed industrial estate “Am weißen Weg” in Alsfeld is one of the largest development projects in the region and was specifically designated for modern industrial and logistics companies. The NORDWEST trade association is the first company to move into the site, establishing a central hub to supply medium-sized specialist wholesalers in Germany and neighbouring European countries. The topping-out ceremony marks a significant milestone for the trade association’s forward-looking prestige project, which aims to provide its partners in industry and trade with future-oriented logistical support.
Investor ROTHENBERGER Real Estates, the NORDWEST trade association, general contractor GOLDBECK, along with representatives from politics, jointly celebrated this successful milestone and thanked everyone involved in the construction for their outstanding cooperation, commitment and expertise, which have made this ambitious logistics project possible. The new NORDWEST central warehouse is one of the most modern logistics centres in Germany and is a key component in the future orientation of the company and its partners. On a site covering 135,000 m², multi-user warehouse is being built with 68,000 m² of hall space, 170,000 storage spaces in the automated small parts warehouse, 50,000 pallet spaces and various block storage areas, including a hazardous materials warehouse.
In line with current guidelines for sustainable construction, the NORDWEST logistics centre will impress not only with state-of-the-art material flow technology, but also with innovative environmental technologies. The building is being constructed in accordance with the latest standards for energy-efficient design (DGNB certification with gold standard) and includes photovoltaic and heat pump technologies, energy-optimised insulation, intelligent LED lighting, sustainable rainwater utilisation and extensive green roofing and landscaping. “For us, sustainability is not just a buzzword, but an important part of the entire project and our corporate philosophy. We are focusing on sustainable technologies that both protect the environment and ensure the long-term efficiency of the logistics centre’s operations”, explained Thorsten Sega, Management Board member of the NORDWEST trade association. “With the new location in Alsfeld, we are creating space for further growth for our existing and new partners. Our logistics services enable them to better achieve their growth targets, increase customer satisfaction and optimise their processes in a scalable, cost-efficient and digitalised manner”, emphasised Thorsten Sega in his speech.
The new central warehouse in Alsfeld is a major strategic project for NORDWEST Handel AG and is being realised in collaboration with investor ROTHENBERGER Real Estates. Dr Helmut Rothenberger, Managing Director of Dr Helmut Rothenberger Holding GmbH, extended his thanks in particular to the tradespeople involved in the construction, who worked day in, day out, whatever the weather, and whose dedication made it possible to celebrate the topping-out ceremony: “We have succeeded in completing this impressive building in less than 12 months. This can only be achieved with a strong team, which is why I would like to express my special thanks to the tradespeople, architects, planners and site managers. Without their passion, precision and tireless commitment, this building would not be standing today. We can all be proud of this success. This logistics centre is the largest single investment in the history of NORDWEST Handel AG. It sets new standards – also for the entire North Hesse region. As a family business, we have carried out this project without government investment and without public funding. This fills me with great pride, because it shows that with courage, responsibility and entrepreneurial spirit, great things can still be achieved today. Together with the DHL site that is also being built here, this project will be a driver of growth, employment and the future of this region. With this investment, we also want to send a signal of confidence that Germany and Europe, despite all the crises, have a strong and successful future ahead.”
In addition to the investor, logistics partners and tradespeople, numerous representatives of the local community were also welcomed to the topping-out ceremony, who see the project as a major gain for the region. Dr Jens Mischak, District Administrator of the Vogelsberg district, said: “This central warehouse is the best proof that Germany is continuing to move forward and that we still have a functioning construction industry. Therefore, I wish to express my sincere thanks for the investment decision. This is a good day for the entire region.” Stephan Paule, Mayor of Alsfeld, added: “This construction project is also the largest investment in the history of the town of Alsfeld and the Vogelsberg district. We are proud of this because we know that only progress, investment and the constant reinvention of our business location will ensure our future viability here in this rural area.” Mario Kling, Managing Director of GOLDBECK Nord, added: “This is a modern, efficient and, above all, sustainable logistics property for the future. We currently have around 130 skilled tradespeople here on the construction site every day, all of whom are giving their all. For that, many thanks! And thanks also to our GOLDBECK construction team, who are delivering top-quality work here!
The first two of a total of seven halls at the new logistics centre were handed over to NORDWEST by the general contractor in September, marking the start of installation of the highly automated material flow technology (including automated shuttle warehouse, container conveyor technology, and integrated picking and packing stations). Initial operations are planned to commence once the new logistics building has been completed in early 2026. The goods will then be gradually moved from the previous central warehouse in Gießen to Alsfeld starting at the end of February 2026. At the same time, the automation technology will be installed by the end of the third quarter of 2026. Full operations are scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, once the complex automated small parts warehouse has been completed and commissioned. From then on, the partners will benefit fully from the numerous advantages of the new central warehouse.
Creating added value: Customised logistics services for industry and trade
In Alsfeld, NORDWEST is establishing high-performance, value-added logistics on a whole new level. The new logistics centre is much more than just a transhipment hub for goods. It will be designed for multi-client capability and will also provide customised logistics solutions for NORDWEST’s specialist trade and supplier partners who require additional logistics capacity, seek to enhance their logistics performance, or wish to centralise the direct delivery of goods to their customers. The goal is to establish logistics as a genuine growth driver – scalable, efficient and flexible. The benefits for partners include increased product availability, longer order acceptance times, shorter order processing times, same-day shipping, direct individual end customer delivery, reduced fixed costs, and the digitalisation of logistics processes. NORDWEST’s service portfolio also extends to other possible services, ranging from equipping mobile workshops and set assembly to custom order packaging. The new innovative NORDWEST logistics centre will further strengthen the competitiveness of partner companies in a globalised market and, alongside digitalisation support, will represent one of the most important added values for supplier and trade partners. It is not just a facility: it is a network for small and medium-sized enterprises that plays a key role in sustainably supplying specialist wholesalers and manufacturers in construction, the skilled trades, industry and building services.
About the investor ROTHENBERGER Real Estates:
ROTHENBERGER Real Estates brings together the real estate activities of Dr. Helmut Rothenberger Holding. The associated property companies are engaged in the development, marketing and letting of industrial, logistics, retail, office and residential properties, with a focus on the Rhine-Main region, the Ruhr region, Dresden, Berlin and Switzerland. The real estate portfolio of Dr. Helmut Rothenberger Holding comprises properties with a total area of 162,000 m² and 158,000 m² of leased space. As an experienced partner in holistic property and building management, ROTHENBERGER Real Estates offers the full range of services of a modern, service-oriented, commercially and technically professional property management company.
