New Trans-o-flex Hub in Driedorf Now Operational

The express service trans-o-flex has commenced operations at its new hub in Driedorf, Hesse. The property is located in a convenient location in the Potsdamer Platz industrial area of Driedorf. E-mobility has been considered: charging stations have been installed in employee parking lots, and power connections are available at all loading and unloading docks.

(Weinheim) trans-o-flex is further expanding its network: The express service specializing in the transport of pharmaceuticals and sensitive goods has today commenced operations at another logistics center in Driedorf, Hesse. “With the new location, which we can open as planned today despite Corona, we will further enhance the capabilities of our trans-o-flex Express and ThermoMed networks and create new synergies between both networks,” said trans-o-flex CEO Wolfgang P. Albeck. With a total investment of around 13 million euros, a hub has been established in the Potsdamer Platz industrial area of Driedorf on a 41,649 square meter site, where packages and pallets can be handled in two different temperature zones. “trans-o-flex is the only service provider in Germany that can actively monitor, control, and document the temperature throughout the logistics chain between 2 and 8 as well as between 15 and 25 °C,” explained Albeck.

A Location for Different Temperature Zones

Previously separate locations for the transport of refrigerated medicines (2 to 8 °C) in the trans-o-flex ThermoMed network and for room temperature medications (15 to 25 °C) in the trans-o-flex Express network are now united at the new location. For this purpose, a separate cooling cell for handling at 2 to 8 °C has been installed in the hall where shipments are sorted and transshipped at a temperature between 15 and 25 °C. While these cooling cells are controlled by air conditioning systems from the outset, the rest of the hall is designed to achieve the specified temperature on more than 80 percent of all days through the principle of free cooling. The temperature regulation of the hall is managed through controlled ventilation. “This saves energy,” explains Albeck. “To secure the temperature range of 15 to 25 °C, we will install additional climate technology for extremely hot days.”

High Capacities and Sustainable Location Concept

At the new location, trans-o-flex has a total of 81 loading and unloading docks available on only about 5,000 square meters of hall space. This is thanks to a Y-shaped design that reduces space requirements while optimizing processing. Albeck: “With the same transshipment area, we can install more loading and unloading docks in the Y design compared to the classic rectangle. Additionally, we shorten the sorting paths in the hall, thereby saving time in daily operations.””The Driedorf industrial area is ideally connected in terms of transport,” said Albeck. “Without having to drive through the town of Driedorf, trans-o-flex vehicles can reach the east-west connection B255 in one minute and the north-south connection A45 in 9 minutes.” To be prepared for the increased use of electric vehicles, there are charging stations for e-cars in the employee parking lot. There are also power connections at the loading and unloading docks to temper vehicles with green electricity. Additionally, special connections for the charging of battery-electric delivery vehicles have been prepared.Last but not least, the location of the hub right next to a solar park fits well with the company. “trans-o-flex has been sourcing its electricity almost exclusively from renewable energy sources since 2008 and documents its climate balance and CO2 efficiency in its annual sustainability report.” By 2050, trans-o-flex aims to operate completely climate-neutral.Photo: © trans-o-flex