Gebrüder Weiss opens logistics and IT center in Vorarlberg

Image: Gebrüder Weiss opens Vorarlberg logistics and IT center

Ceremonial opening in Wolfurt with 250 guests from business and politics / Investment of around 100 million euros strengthens supply chains and region / Wolfram Senger-Weiss: "With this location, we are putting logistics and IT on a new foundation."

Wolfurt / Lauterach, April 24, 2026. On 24 April, Wolfram Senger-Weiss, Chairman of the Executive Board of Gebrüder Weiss, Vorarlberg's Governor Markus Wallner and Wolfurt's Mayor Angelika Moosbrugger will open the new Vorarlberg Logistics and IT Center – one of the most important construction projects in the history of Gebrüder Weiss – with a symbolic buzzer moment. In front of around 250 guests from politics and business, a specially prepared pallet of gifts is removed from the fully automated high-bay warehouse at the touch of a button and handed over on stage.

In his opening speech, Wolfram Senger-Weiss emphasizes the strategic importance of the new location, which is consistently designed for process efficiency and long-term growth: "With the logistics and IT center, we are taking a central step in the development of our company. We are consciously investing in an economically challenging environment and creating an infrastructure that is designed to last for decades. The close integration of logistics and IT enables us to further develop processes in a targeted manner and to make supply chains even more transparent and stable for our customers."

At the same time, the expansion strengthens Vorarlberg as a location and its role as an important hub for international flows of goods. At the opening, Governor Markus Wallner also emphasised the importance of the project for the region: "This investment is a clear commitment to Vorarlberg as a business location. Efficient logistics is the backbone of our export-oriented economy and strengthens our companies in international competition."

Integrated site with high space efficiency

The logistics and IT center covers a total area of around 31,000 square meters and follows a consistently integrated construction concept. Logistics, office and technical areas are arranged vertically in order to make efficient use of the limited space resources in the Rhine Valley. Functionally, the facility corresponds to a significantly larger, conventional logistics area, but was implemented on a compact footprint.

 In addition to an automated high-bay warehouse with 68,000 pallet spaces, the site includes a manual warehouse and a three-storey office building with around 400 workstations. This is where Gebrüder Weiss' central IT as well as employees from logistics and other departments are located. The site will create an integrated unit that will bring these functions closer together and accelerate the further development of processes.

Automation as the basis for high-performance processes

The centrepiece of the facility is the 34-metre-high high-bay warehouse with 13 rack aisles. A fully integrated intralogistics system controls the material flow automatically. Up to 160 pallets can be stored and 200 pallets retrieved per hour. This makes the logistics center one of the larger, fully automated facilities in Europe.

 Among other things, automatic storage and retrieval machines, autonomous transport vehicles and digitally controlled conveyor technology will be used. The entire system was simulated and optimized as a digital twin even before construction began. At the same time, people remain an integral part of the processes: employees monitor, control and intervene in a targeted manner if necessary.

 "Automation and data-based systems are key prerequisites for controlling supply chains stably and efficiently, even under dynamic conditions. They increase speed and transparency in the processes. However, the decisive factor remains the person who monitors and is responsible for the processes," says Senger-Weiss.

Strategic location decision and sustainable construction

The decisive factor for the location was the immediate proximity to the Wolfurt freight station. It enables an efficient linking of road and rail transport and contributes to the reduction of emissions and traffic congestion. At the same time, Gebrüder Weiss' customers benefit from its location in the four-country region as an interface between central European flows of goods.

Sustainability aspects were taken into account both in the construction method and in operation. Among other things, CO₂-reduced concrete was used, the production of which causes around 35 percent less CO₂ than conventional materials. The energy concept is supplemented by a photovoltaic system with an output of around 1.5 megawatt peak, green roofs and prepared charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

Milestone for the company's development

With an investment volume of around 100 million euros, the logistics and IT center is a central component of Gebrüder Weiss' long-term location and growth strategy.

"But this construction project is not only an important step for the further development of our company," says Senger-Weiss. "Here we bundle the flows of goods from the regional export industry and offer a hub for worldwide distribution. The dovetailing of large logistics capacities with state-of-the-art automation technology brings additional efficiency and transparency for our customers and thus also increases the competitiveness of the site."

The logistical and technical standards implemented in the project form the basis for further site developments. For example, another automated logistics terminal is planned at the Pratteln site near Basel that is geared to these requirements.

Fact Box: Logistics and IT Center Vorarlberg

Location: Hohe Brücke industrial area, Wolfurt, Vorarlberg

Investment: around 100 million euros

Construction period: April 2024 – February 2026

Area & Capacity:

• Total area: 30,800 m²
• Logistics area: 24,000 m²
• Jobs: around 400
• Bundles logistics, IT and central departments at one location for the first time

Technology & Automation:

• High-bay warehouse: 34 m high, 68,000 pallet spaces
• Use of automated intralogistics systems: 13 automatic storage and retrieval machines, 33 autonomous transport vehicles
• 8 picking stations with lifting aids, lifting and lowering tables

Location & Traffic:

• Near Wolfurt freight station, combined road-rail connection
• Location in the four-country region for Central European flows of goods

Sustainability:

• CO₂-reduced concrete (–35% emissions)
• Photovoltaic system 1.5 MWp, covers a large part of the company's own electricity demand
• Green roofs and measures to promote biodiversity (e.g. bee projects)
• Charging infrastructure for electric vehicles
• Sprinkler basin also serves as a heat storage tank
• Promotion of public transport and abandonment of large parking spaces

About Gebrüder Weiss

Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, headquartered in Lauterach (Austria), is a globally active full-service logistics company with around 8,600 employees and 180 company-owned locations. Most recently, the company generated annual sales of 2.73 billion euros (2025). The portfolio includes transport and logistics solutions, digital services and supply chain management. The combination of digital and physical expertise enables the Group to respond quickly and flexibly to customer needs. With a variety of ecological, economic and social measures, the family-owned company, whose history in the transport sector goes back more than 500 years, is now also considered a pioneer in terms of sustainable business. www.gw-world.com

Contact:

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