"A gateway to the world": WAGO invests in future-proof international logistics center

WAGO, a supplier of interconnection and automation technology, is investing more than 50 million euros in a state-of-the-art central warehouse in Sondershausen. On 10-11-2023, the foundation stone was laid for this new energy-efficient building. Commissioning of the new logistics center is planned for the end of 2024.

"Even though WAGO continues to strengthen its international orientation, our German locations remain important: for us as a family-owned company, but also as an important technology center," explains WAGO CEO Dr. Heiner Lang. "Future-proof logistics is an important part of our internationalization strategy and forms the basis. As we grow internationally, the Sondershausen site will automatically grow as our 'gateway to the world,' functioning as a logistics center for our global subsidiaries," he emphasizes.

Internationalization is of utmost importance for the future of WAGO - and thus also for the site in Thuringia. Construction of the 35,000-square-meter site in the Hainleite industrial zone began a year ago. On an area of 11,000 square meters, a high-rise warehouse with the latest technologies, a highly automated picking and storage area and 2,000 square meters of office space are being built. A connecting structure connects the existing warehouse to the new building.

Substantial increase in capacity

With the new logistics center, WAGO is significantly expanding its capacity. "We will continue to guarantee a high level of service and build future-proof logistics that are scalable to the demands of tomorrow's customers," says Diana Wilhelm, Vice President Corporate Logistics at WAGO. A full 25 million euros will go toward the technology of the new central warehouse alone.

WAGO also uses the latest technologies in its production facility at the Sondershausen site. "So we have one space where we can both achieve our growth and remain competitive," said Dr. Heiner Lang. Among the products produced in Sondershausen are WAGO's best-known connection connector, the 221 series, and the new sustainable WAGO 221 Green Range connection connector with levers, the first connection block partially made from bio-circular and recycled plastics. WAGO also produces its TOPJOB® S Rail-Mount Terminal Block at the site in Thuringia, which plays an important role for WAGO: founded in 1990 as a strategically important production facility, it has been WAGO's hub for international logistics for 24 years. "We have the ideal location for deliveries within Europe. From here we also deliver to our national subsidiaries in 80 countries around the world," explains Diana Wilhelm. Once completed, the new logistics center will be able to handle up to 12,000 orders per day.

Sustainable growth

As with all of WAGO's new construction projects, energy efficiency and responsible use of resources have been taken into account in planning in Sondershausen. Environmentally friendly building and insulation materials are used in the construction process. The project also includes the creation of an efficient power supply: the new building is equipped with state-of-the-art heat pumps and solar energy systems for self-generation. The building technology was planned through a project with the Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences using energy system modeling and simulation to completely eliminate fossil fuel furnaces and gas connections. In doing so, the new building meets the stringent efficiency standard KFW 40 EE, which requires at least 55 percent of the building's heating and cooling to come from renewable energy sources.

Internal know-how has played a key role throughout the development of the site. The new central warehouse is the result of internal logistics expertise. "Especially in times of increasing digitalization and automation, this expertise helps us make the site sustainable and secure its long-term future. The expansion will not only help us keep pace with today's technology, but also secure jobs in the region in the long term," says Dr. Heiner Lang. More than 1,000 employees currently work at the Sondershausen plant, making WAGO one of the largest employers in Northern Thuringia. Due to the high level of automation, the need for skilled workers and technicians will continue to increase - one of the many reasons why the cornerstone in Sondershausen demonstrates WAGO's confidence in long-term successful development.