trans-o-flex celebrates topping-out ceremony for logistics center in Styria

Capacity for further growth in pharmaceutical logistics: Logistics center with active temperature control at 2 to 8 and 15 to 25 degrees – On Tuesday, the topping-out ceremony took place in Lebring, Austria (Styria), with operations starting in spring 2024. The construction is being carried out according to ecological criteria: strong thermal insulation, LED lighting, photovoltaics, charging stations for electric vehicles, heating with heat pumps, rainwater infiltration

(Weinheim/Lebring) To further expand network capacity in Austria and to accelerate and make handling processes more sustainable, trans-o-flex ThermoMed Austria is building a new transshipment center in Styria. Yesterday, the company, which specializes in the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, celebrated its topping-out ceremony. “We can handle two and a half times more shipments in Lebring than at our previous location in Kalsdorf,” says trans-o-flex CEO Wolfgang P. Albeck. “And while the facility in Kalsdorf was rented, we are building on our own land in Lebring.” The Austrian subsidiary of the German trans-o-flex is investing a mid-single-digit million amount. “That’s a lot of money for a relatively small location with a daily volume of around 2,000 packages,” explained Albeck at the topping-out ceremony. “But first, the location is important for our customer service to offer a nationwide 24-hour service. Second, we are securing lower operating costs in the long term. And third, we are reducing our ecological footprint.”

Due to the relatively high energy expenditure required for the active temperature control necessary for the quality of medicines, trans-o-flex ThermoMed Austria is investing in strong thermal insulation for the new building. The company is installing a photovoltaic system on the roof of the approximately 1,100 square meter hall. The electricity can be used for the heat pump employed for heating and cooling, as well as at the charging stations for electric vehicles. For lighting, expensive but economical LED technology is being installed. “And all the rain that falls on the roofs and sealed areas of the approximately 10,000 square meter property will not be directed into the sewage system,” says Albeck. “There is a special pond on the property that collects all the rainwater and allows it to infiltrate in a controlled manner.”

A total of four locations in Austria

In Lebring, trans-o-flex ThermoMed Austria will employ up to 40 staff, who will serve Styria, Carinthia, parts of Burgenland, and East Tyrol from here. In total, trans-o-flex ThermoMed Austria has four locations: Großebersdorf (Lower Austria), Regau (Upper Austria), Fritzens (Tyrol), and currently still Kalsdorf (Styria). The locations are connected to both the German ThermoMed network and partner networks in Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands.

Photo: © trans-o-flex / Image caption: Alongside the topping-out ceremony, a symbolic cornerstone was laid in Lebring. Present were (from left): ÖkR Ing. Franz Labugger (Mayor of the market community of Lebring-St. Margarethen) and Wolfgang P. Albeck (CEO of trans-o-flex)