Warehouses in Hamm

Objective classification of the Hamm site

Choosing a logistics location is a data-driven, strategic decision. In the dense network of German logistics centres, Hamm in North Rhine-Westphalia has established itself as a relevant location. This text provides an objective analysis of the factors that define Hamm as a logistics location. The infrastructural conditions, current market data for logistics properties, the labour market situation and strategic future projects such as the MULTI HUB WESTFALEN will be examined. The aim is to provide decision-makers from the logistics, freight forwarding and industrial sectors with a sound basis for evaluating the location.

Location profile: Geographical location and economic structure

Hamm is located on the eastern edge of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region and forms a hinge to the economic areas of East Westphalia-Lippe and South Westphalia. The city is home to over 30 major logistics companies employing more than 3,000 people. The economic structure is characterised by large central warehouses of the food and beverage trade (including Edeka, Rewe) as well as various logistics service providers. The award as "Logistics Location of the Year in North Rhine-Westphalia" in the past was based on the positive development of the logistics-relevant key figures and the strategic orientation of the city.

Trimodal transport connections as a core competence

The fundamental strength of the location is its connection to three main modes of transport. This trimodality allows for a high degree of flexibility in the design of transport chains.

• Road: The immediate location at the Kamener Kreuz ensures a direct connection to the A1 (north-south axis) and A2 (west-east axis) federal motorways. Calculations show that a sales area with around 60 million consumers can be reached from Hamm within a truck journey of three hours.
• Rail: Hamm has one of the largest marshalling yards in Germany. This existing rail infrastructure enables freight traffic with high frequency and connections to the national and international corridors. Many industrial and commercial areas also have direct rail sidings, a prerequisite for efficient combined transport (CT).
• Water: The Datteln-Hamm Canal is connected to the Western European inland waterway network and navigable for large motor cargo ships. The city port of Hamm handles around 1.6 million tons of shipping goods annually and over 580,000 tons by rail (source: Stadtwerke Hamm) and represents a cost-efficient and low-emission transport alternative to the ARA ports (Antwerp, Rotterdam, Amsterdam), especially for heavy and bulk goods.

Analysis of the logistics real estate market

The market for logistics real estate in the Ruhr region, to which Hamm belongs, is characterised by consistently high demand.

• Rental prices: According to BNP Paribas Real Estate's market report for Q2 2025, the prime rent for modern logistics space in the Ruhr region is €7.90/m². This value can be classified as moderate in a nationwide comparison with A locations such as Munich or Hamburg.
• Availability: The vacancy rate for large-scale logistics properties (over 10,000 m²) in North Rhine-Westphalia was only 4.0% in the first quarter of 2025 (source: CBRE Germany). This indicates a shortage of space, which underlines the importance of designated development areas such as the InlogParc in Hamm.
• Land development: The city of Hamm pursues an active land use policy and specifically designates commercial areas with logistics suitability (e.g. in the districts of Uentrop and Rhynern), which often have a 24/7 operating permit, which is essential for multi-layered logistics processes.

Strategic development: The MULTI HUB WESTFALEN project

A central element of the site's future strategy is the development of the former marshalling yard into the "MULTI HUB WESTFALEN". This project, which is supported by DB Cargo, the city of Hamm and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, aims to create a high-performance terminal for combined transport. The quantifiable targets include shifting up to 170,000 truck journeys per year to rail, which should lead to a significant reduction in CO₂ emissions. The "Development Agency for Sustainable Freight Transport Hamm GmbH", founded in October 2024, serves the operational implementation of the project and signals the commitment of the public sector. For companies located here, the project offers the long-term perspective of being connected to one of the most modern CT hubs in Germany.

Evaluation of location factors for logistics service providers

From the perspective of logistics service providers, Hamm offers several key advantages:

1. Market proximity: The location between the Ruhr area/South Westphalia production cluster and the Rhine-Ruhr consumer cluster ensures stable freight volumes.
2. Operating costs: The lower rents and wage costs compared to A-locations enable a competitive calculation of services.
3. Operational resilience: Trimodality allows active management of transport risks (e.g. congestion, low water, line closures) through the substitution of modes of transport.
4. Labour market: The local labour market (as of February 2025, Hamm Employment Agency) is characterised by a high proportion of skilled workers (57.3%). At the same time, there is a pool of workers in the helper segment, which can be tapped through qualification measures for logistical activities.

Benefit assessment for shippers (industry and trade)

For manufacturing and trading companies (shippers), warehousing at the Hamm site results in the following operational and strategic advantages:

• Distribution radius: The central location enables short transit times and high delivery reliability for the national and Western European markets.
• Cost optimisation in the supply chain: The use of inland waterway vessels and rail for the supply and removal of goods can reduce transport costs per tonne-kilometre compared to pure road transport.
• Achievement of ESG goals: The use of multimodal infrastructure, especially rail freight transport via the MULTI HUB WESTFALEN, enables a demonstrable reduction in the CO₂ footprint of logistics and supports the sustainability reporting of companies.
• Carrier diversity: The concentration of logistics service providers at the location leads to a competitive market environment for carriers, which has a positive effect on freight rates and service levels.

Summary Assessment

The logistics location of Hamm is characterized by a rare and effective combination of geographical centrality, a fully developed trimodal transport infrastructure and competitive cost structures. The existing potential is being systematically expanded through strategic projects such as the MULTI HUB WESTFALEN, with a clear focus on increasing efficiency and sustainability. The available data on the real estate and labour market underpin the attractiveness of the location. For companies that align their logistics processes with resilience, cost efficiency and sustainability, Hamm represents a strategically sound alternative location with considerable development potential.

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