A smooth warehouse transition
A visit to Nova Traffic’s new warehouse in Embrach (Switzerland). This time last year Daniel Stein, CEO of Nova Traffic from Kloten, was looking forward to moving into the company’s new warehouse in Embrach (see page 18 of ITJ 27-30 / 2023). He recently announced the completion of the phase 1 of that project – reason enough for the ITJ to take a look around the site and hear about the further developments there from him.
The moment came in mid-February when the move could begin from the old warehouse to the new one, right next door in Embraport’s building F. In just eight weeks, goods covering no less than about 15,000 m2, stored by Nova Traffic for around 100 customers, were moved from one building to the other.
CEO Daniel Stein reports that “three years passed from the first planning meeting to this point, but the last eight months of the project were pretty intense.” It was very exciting and also a pleasure to see how the staff had pulled along. Stein estimates that it took about 2,800 man-hours for the actual move, which was completed without interrupting operations.
Its people who make the difference
The fact that the effort was worth it becomes very clear as soon as the tour starts. Despite the hustle and bustle (40% growth 2020 – 2022) there’s something of a family atmosphere about the place.
In the CO2-neutral building with sustainability certificates from ‘Minergie Eco’ and the German sustainable building council, Nova will initially occupy 15,000 m2 of storage space on four floors – contiguously, in contrast to the previous, ageing location, where storage space and administrative offices were ultimately spread over five levels.
The productivity of the experienced workforce is increased by clear lines and good prospects for the future. As soon as the current resident Kuehne + Nagel moves into the second part of building F in phase 2, which is identical to phase 1, then an additional 1,500 m2 will be freed for Nova Traffic. This represents up to 1,500 pallet spaces more, especially on the ground floor, with its height of 7.5 m.
The Embraport is rather busy
There was a lot going on at Embraport on the occasion of its 50th anniversary last year, when Nova Traffic and Kuehne + Nagel were honoured as the oldest tenants. The site near Zurich airport covering almost 160,000 m2 is currently undergoing a profound transformation into a modern and sustainable logistics hub.
Nova itself can also benefit from the facility’s completely new concept. At the end of 2025 the company will move into another 3,500 m2 of storage space, when phase 2 of the development project starts. The signs thus continue to point to growth – even if business developments remain slightly below their expected levels this year. “But that’s lamenting in luxury,” as Stein qualifies the expectations.
The chief executive officer surrounded himself with experienced logistics managers to achieve the company’s goals. “Without Jörg Ackermann, the former head of non-food logistics at Migros, these projects would hardly have been possible.”
Nova Traffic’s next move is on the horizon. Its Kloten headquarters are also moving to the new site.