FUSION COLOGNE: ThielemannGroup invests in logistics campus for RECHT Logistik Group in Cologne

• First official settlement on the FUSION COLOGNE site on a plot of around 101,900 square metres
• ThielemannGroup invests more than 100 million euros in two modern logistics facilities with a total of around 63,700 square meters of building space
• RECHT Logistik Group rents the entire campus – for logistics services for the Japanese tool manufacturer Makita and other customer projects
• Relocation of the headquarters of the RECHT Logistik Group to Cologne
• Construction to start at the end of 2026, completion planned for the first quarter of 2028

Cologne, 7 August 2026 – The starting signal for the ThielemannGroup's construction project in the FUSION COLOGNE quarter of Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG (HGK) directly at the Niehler Hafen in Cologne has been given the go-ahead: The notarial certification on 6 August 2026 has laid the foundation for the implementation of a new logistics campus. Two modern and sustainable logistics facilities are being built on the approximately 101,900 square metre site at a cost of over 100 million euros, which will be used by the RECHT Logistik Group as a contiguous campus in the future.

The originally presented project has been further developed into a new, economically viable utilisation concept in recent months together with the City of Cologne. Two opposite hall complexes will form a functional unit in the future. Connected to each other via a common loading yard, they enable short distances, flexible processes and optimal use of the entire area and create space for around 300 qualified workplaces.

"We are very pleased that we can now implement this strong future project with a new and sustainable usage concept," says Navid Thielemann, CEO of the ThielemannGroup. "The newly designed concept will create a modern logistics campus that brings together high-performance contract logistics, central corporate functions and attractive working environments at one location. The direct location at the Niehl port with its connected rail network as well as the excellent connection to the A1 and A3 motorways and Cologne Bonn Airport create ideal conditions for efficient quadrimodal logistics. For us, Cologne is therefore a central building block of our further development."

Two buildings, one high-performance campus

The ThielemannGroup is building two logistics complexes, each with three hall sections and a total building area of around 63,700 square metres. Of this, a total of 52,854 square metres will be hall space, 3,902 square metres will be office space and 6,946 square metres will be mezzanine space.

51 loading ramps and six ground-level gates create the conditions for efficient logistics processes that can be flexibly adapted to different customer requirements.

RECHT Logistik Group with new company headquarters in Cologne

The tenant of the entire campus will be the RECHT Logistik Group. She is responsible for logistics services for Makita, the Japanese manufacturer of power tools. In addition, the group uses the space for other customer projects. At the same time, it is moving its previous headquarters from Brühl to Cologne. In the future, management and central commercial areas will also be located on the campus.

"For us, the new campus is much more than just additional logistics space – it will become a core element of the RECHT Logistik Group," says Christian Karl Flick, COO of the ThielemannGroup and CEO of the RECHT Logistik Group. "We are bundling operational and administrative functions and at the same time creating room for further growth. The relocation of our company headquarters to Cologne also underlines the strategic importance that the location has for our development."

First official settlement on the FUSION COLOGNE site

With the logistics campus, the first official company settlement on the FUSION COLOGNE site is also taking shape. The quarter to be developed by HGK extends over 17 hectares and is to be expanded to around 55 hectares of former industrial site in the future. It combines areas for logistics, production and innovation with an efficient connection to road, rail and waterways.

"The notarization marks an important milestone for the HGK Group. The fact that RECHT Logistik will establish its headquarters here in the future and that a well-known company like Makita will use the location is a strong signal for HGK and Cologne as a business and logistics location," says Steffen Bauer, CEO of HGK AG. Lisa Hirsch, Managing Director of Fusion Cologne GmbH, adds: "The jointly developed concept combines demanding sustainability standards with future-oriented site development. It takes into account the requirements of modern logistics and at the same time fits perfectly into the profile and objectives of FUSION COLOGNE."

Sustainable construction, prepared for electromobility

The ThielemannGroup is aiming for certification according to the DGNB Gold Standard for the two buildings, which include photovoltaic systems, green roofs, a sustainable local heating concept and energy-efficient LED lighting. Wooden facades for the office complex as well as high-quality work and social rooms complement the concept.

The quality of stay for employees also plays an important role in the planning. Spacious recreation and recreation areas will be created in the outdoor facilities. Native plants support the natural design of the site. In addition, a compensation area with around 1,275 trees and about 10,425 shrubs is planned.

A special focus is on electromobility: In addition to charging points for e-bikes and electric cars, charging facilities for e-trucks are also being created on the campus. This will prepare the site for the increasing electrification of freight transport from the very beginning.

The sustainability claim of the project fits very well with the overall concept of FUSION COLOGNE. The entire district has successfully passed the auditing process for DGNB pre-certification in gold. Among other things, space efficiency, mobility infrastructure, open space design and sustainable water circulation systems were taken into account.

Start of construction planned for the end of 2026

After the building permit has been granted, construction is expected to begin at the end of the fourth quarter of 2026. The corresponding building application is currently being prepared by the ThielemannGroup and is about to be submitted. Completion and handover of the entire logistics campus are scheduled for the first quarter of 2028.

"Cologne combines economic strength, excellent infrastructure and great development potential," says Navid Thielemann. "It is precisely in such an environment that we as ThielemannGroup want to take on long-term entrepreneurial responsibility, continue to invest and develop new solutions for efficient supply chains together with our partners. With this campus, we are therefore clearly committed to Cologne as a top location."

Picture: From left to right: Christian Karl Flick (COO of ThielemannGroup Holding GmbH), Navid Thielemann (CEO of ThielemannGroup Holding GmbH), Steffen Bauer (CEO of the HGK Group) and Lisa Hirsch (Managing Director of Fusion Cologne GmbH).

Image Credit: Fotografie-Neuhaus

About ThielemannGroup:

The ThielemannGroup, headquartered in Mönchengladbach, bundles shareholdings and business activities in the logistics industry under one roof. These include companies from the freight forwarding and logistics sectors, project and real estate development as well as innovative start-ups. www.thielemann-group.com.

About the RECHT Logistik Group:

The RECHT Logistik Group offers integrated transport and contract logistics solutions for companies in industry, trade and e-commerce. Its services include warehousing, order picking, co-packing, value-added services, plant logistics and national and international transport. The group includes RECHT Logistik and RECHT Kontraktlogistik. https://www.recht-logistik.de.

About the HGK Group:

Häfen und Güterverkehr Köln AG is the logistics company of the Stadtwerke Köln Group. The HGK Group, through its subsidiaries and associated companies, offers integrated transport and logistics services in the areas of inland shipping, rail freight transport, ports and terminals, infrastructure, warehousing and real estate development. www.hgk.de.

About FUSION COLOGNE:

With a prospect of around 550,000 square metres, FUSION COLOGNE is one of the largest contiguous development areas for logistics and industry in the city of Cologne. The quarter in the north of Cologne has a direct connection to road, rail and waterways. The former industrial site is being developed by HGK with the aim of creating a modern and sustainable location for logistics, production, research and innovation. fusion-cologne.de.

Media contact Thielemann

STROOMER PR Concept GmbH

Yvonne Riede, Tel.: +49 40 853133-12

Email: yvonne.riede@stroomer.de

Media contact FUSION COLOGNE

MAR COMMUNICATIONS

Felix Zimmermann, Tel.: +49 163 3000 661

E-Mail: felix.zimmermann@mar-berlin.de