BLG press material for the C3 BREMEN

C3 stands for Customer, Climate, Comfort.

The new C3 Bremen pools logistics activities for the global Mercedes-Benz CKD (completely knocked down) production network in Germany. Here, vehicles are prepared for shipping from major German seaports to destinations around the world using the CKD method.

One central principle behind the C3 Bremen is optimal operation according to customer requirements. Above all, it's about efficient workflows and intelligent on-site logistics with logistics architecture designed for specific customer requirements and future needs. This is based on extensive modular automation and digitalization.

The logistics center is a visible manifestation of the BLG sustainability strategy to become climate-neutral by 2030. The core element here is the supersized photovoltaic system on the roof. Other factors that contribute to sustainability are the holistic energy concept for heating, hot water and air conditioning, seamless insulation, smart lighting and the good traffic connections at the GVZ goods transport center.

With investments in employee health and comfort, BLG LOGISTICS has made a bold statement in the logistics industry. On the site there is an orchard with indigenous trees and a park designed as a dune landscape complete with pond. They provide ideal spaces for employees to relax and recharge their batteries. The building itself is punctuated with glazed light strips and facade elements that flood the work environment with daylight. There are also moss installations that improve the climate and acoustics in the pleasant interior spaces with a focus on natural materials.

• Driverless transport system: More than 20 driverless trucks supply packing stations with material and remove empty packaging. The trucks navigate the spaces autonomously, have a top speed of around 8 km/h and each have a load capacity of one tonne.
• Automated pallet preparation: Goods are delivered to the C3 on reusable load carriers and must be transferred to single-use pallets for worldwide transport. The packing station features 4 industrial robots that automatically prepare the cardboard pallets in just 30 seconds per shipping unit.
• Narrow-aisle rack: In the narrow-aisle rack with 12 aisles and a total of 23 racks, seven semi-automatic storage and retrieval machines move the goods. Over 8,500 storage slots provide space for medium and small parts in reusable load carriers. The goods are fed to the driverless transport system on dollies and the average storage period in the narrow-aisle rack is one week.
• Conveyor technology: The C3 uses intelligent conveyor technology to transport individual packing units to the station for totes (collated packs). The packing units are sorted automatically onto the receiving conveyors. Camera sensor systems control empty carrier removal. This reduces travel routes and streamlines processes.
• Put-to-light: The put-to-light system prevents mis-packing by visualizing the correct packing unit. The computer-aided palletization process with personalized color coding enables simultaneous picking by up to seven employees.
• Andon board: This digital traffic-light system for signaling disruptions effectively minimizes time losses and coordination effort in the packing stations. Employees get information about the current status and any disruptions of the packing process so they can intervene if any problems occur.
• Loading system: An efficient carpet conveyor system optimizes shuttle transportation. The carpet conveyor installed in a special trailer with a fixed transfer station in the loading/unloading bay provides for pushbutton truck loading and unloading. This process is separate from the stacker process, eliminating waiting times for drivers and reducing handling times.
• Outgoing goods visualization: BLG's own eLive software displays an overview of the status of outgoing goods routes on screens in the outgoing goods area.
• Measuring and weighing. A precision camera system automatically records load dimension and weight data. Automatic label printing as well as multi-angle photo documentation of packing units further optimize workflows.

The market generally demands high levels of investment and innovation from logistics companies. One major area of investment is handling, distribution and picking centers in locations with good traffic connections. In the CONTRACT division, BLG invests in building and upgrading logistics centers as well as in expanding business activities. Another important investment area is the continuous replacement of technical plants and machinery.

In financial year 2022, BLG invested some EUR 70 million in long-term intangible and tangible assets (source: Financial Report, page 65).

Groundbreaking investments in holistic real estate projects such as the C3 Bremen require strong, reliable partners. Here, the project developer Baytree Logistics Properties and logistics property consultant Logivest provided excellent support in the realization of the facility right from the start.

The C3 Bremen offers some 500 jobs.

The logistics building is surrounded by green areas featuring indigenous trees and shrubs as well as a wildflower meadow with insect habitats for optimal integration in nature. The facility features its own rainwater cistern for plant irrigation. There is a dune landscape that offers quiet zones as well as space for employees to spend their breaks and to get together.

An elegant company restaurant and social rooms in contemporary design with larch wood, glass and green plants ensure an attractive and sustainable environment. Moss elements in the rooms improve air quality and acoustics. Also featured are extensive parking lots and bike stands with chargers for electric cars and bikes to support e-mobility.

During the planning and construction of the C3 Bremen, sustainability was a key priority. Apart from a holistic energy concept for heating, hot water and ventilation as well as seamless insulation of the building, a well thought-out light concept was at the forefront of requirements. Generous, triple-glazed window elements and ceiling light strips maximize the amount of natural light that floods into the rooms. What's more, smart lighting control cuts electricity consumption.