Gunnar Löhr, Head of Supply Management & Infrastructure and Harald Gloy, COO; from Bleichert Automation: Anton Schirle, CEO and Manfred Hannes, Head of Sales
(L to R) Gunnar Löhr, Head of Supply Management & Infrastructure and Harald Gloy, COO; from Bleichert Automation: Anton Schirle, CEO 
and Manfred Hannes, Head of Sales

Lufthansa Cargo is pushing ahead with the modernization of its logistics center: Today, the airfreight company signed one of the highest-volume contracts in its comprehensive infrastructure program. The detailed planning and realization of the new central high-rack storage system, the centerpiece of the Frankfurt hub, will be implemented with the German mechanical engineering company Bleichert Automation GmbH & Co. KG in the future.

"With Bleichert Automation, we were able to gain experienced experts in the field of warehousing and material handling technology who will support us with individual and custom-fit solutions," explains Harald Gloy, the cargo airline’s Chief Operations Officer. "By continuing the successful cooperation with our logistics general planner agiplan, we now have a high-performance team on board for the realization phase and can move forward in large steps towards construction."

"By providing our technology, we can make an important contribution to the modernization of the logistics center," says Anton Schirle, Managing Director of Bleichert Automation, and adds: "The assignment of this project is a significant indicator for our company and for Germany as a business location. It proves that our ideas and innovative developments are competitive."

Dr Christian Jacobi, Executive Partner at agiplan GmbH, also explains: "After the joint concept and planning phase for the future-oriented cargo logistics at the Frankfurt hub, we are now pleased to ensure a smooth realization of the new warehouse and conveyor technology for the client."

Lufthansa Cargo will further develop and renew the logistics center at its home hub in Frankfurt on a modular basis. The transit high-rack storage system, which will be around 40 meters high in the future, with four aisles over 13 levels as well as a multi-level distribution axis along the production areas, forms the centerpiece of the renewal of cargo handling at the Frankfurt hub. The new building will further improve handling times at Lufthansa Cargo's central location and increase efficiency. This means a higher turn-over rate, smoother transport processes and an improvement in service quality for all customers.

Construction and commissioning will take place in several stages, with realization of the high-rack storage system and the first part of the material distribution axis planned between 2022 and 2025. The complete modernization of the Lufthansa Cargo Center is scheduled for completion in 2029.