Nordwest AG, one of Germany’s big steel purchasing cooperatives, is preparing the construction of a new central warehouse in Alsfeld, in the state of Hesse.
Nordwest started preparing the project in 2020, but had to wait for several approvals from local authorities to continue. In late September, it was granted the final approval to be able to set a timetable for the new distribution hub. Construction is set to start in the first quarter of 2024, and delivery should commence as of mid-2025, Kallanish understands.
“It is no secret that we would have liked to execute the planning for our new mega warehouse much sooner,” says Nordwest executive Jörg Simon. “However, it is important to run through all procedures correctly, so that we have planning safety.”
Nordwest will maintain cooperation with logistics provider Rhenus, which is already its partner in the current central warehouse in Giessen.
The new hub will have a storage space of 68,000m², as well as 45 ramps that can dispatch up to 120 trucks per day. Apart from steel, Nordwest also handles general hardware, tools, construction material and sanitary equipment. Of last year’s revenue of €1.29 billion ($1.37 billion), steel accounted for €500 million.
Nordwest is among the groups that recently joined forces to form the pan-European steel distributors’ organisation Astedis.
Christian Koehl Germany
