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• Logistics centre for the handling of goods in two temperature zones: ambient goods at 15 to 25 degrees Celsisus and chilled goods at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius
• Facility that offers photovoltaics, e-charging points, a heat pump and rainwater drainage system
• The sorting system comprises three sections that can be operated independently

Express courier trans-o-flex, which specialises in the transportation of pharmaceuticals and other sensitive goods such as cosmetics and electronics, has opened a joint facility in Bavaria for its two German distribution networks, trans-o-flex Express and trans-o-flex ThermoMed. It is located in Steinach, directly on the A3 motorway between Regensburg and Deggendorf. Until now, the region was served by separate handling centres for actively temperature-controlled goods in the Express network (15–25 degrees Celsius) and for chilled goods in the ThermoMed network (2–8 degrees Celsius). “This new facility not only increases our capacity, but also creates further synergies between our two networks,” said trans-o-flex CEO Martin Reder at the official opening. From Steinach, trans-o-flex delivers goods between Regensburg and Passau as well as from Landshut right up to the Austrian and Czech borders. The consignments are sorted on an automatic conveyor system that is capable of processing up to 4,500 parcels per hour. Each parcel may weigh up to 50 kg, measure 1.50 m in length, 70 cm in width and 80 cm in height. The sorting system features a calibrated scale that automatically records the weight and volume of every package. The handling centre offers 29 gates for HGVs and 79 gates for vans for loading and unloading. The new site will create around 100 jobs in the region.

“One key difference to conventional sorting centres is the sustainability of the facility,” explained Reder. “Solar panels will be installed on the roof and we will use the electricity they generate in the centre itself, to operate the heat pump for the heating or supply it to the charging points for our employees’ electric cars.” Connections are being prepared for the future charging of e-trucks and e-transporters. “The sorting centre offers high levels of thermal insulation due to its active temperature control system, LED lights provide plenty of light without much electricity and all the rain that falls on the roofs and sealed surfaces of the site is collected and channelled into the drainage system in a controlled manner.” Last but not least, noise barriers that will be completely greened will be erected around the site. The centre is operated in combination with a free cooling system to minimise the use of its energy-intensive air conditioning system. The air conditioning system only has to be put into operation once the desired temperature in the centre can no longer be achieved by means of air circulation through the supply air grilles and exhaust air fans. In this way, the temperature control required for the safety of the sensitive goods being transported is guaranteed at all times, combined with minimised levels of energy consumption.

A technical feature designed to ensure efficient and reliable sorting in daily operation concerns the sorting system itself: it is divided into three independent sections, each serving around 30 loading stations. “This makes the overall facility fail-safe,” says Reder. “If one sorter is out of service, the other two sections can continue operating while repairs are carried out.”