K.Hartwall inaugurates expansive US location, signs contract to construct new facilities in Germany.
K.Hartwall, a pioneer in innovative logistics solutions, has reaffirmed its commitment to the US market by inaugurating expansive facilities in Romeoville, near Chicago. With the US now contributing to a significant chunk of their turnover—around 25M€—this move is strategic in bolstering their presence and operations in the region. The facilities, spanning 50,000 square feet (approximately 4,500 square meters), combine modern sales offices and a warehouse. In addition, plans are underway for a demonstration center to further enhance customer experience.
Jerker Hartwall, CEO of K.Hartwall, journeyed from the company’s headquarters in Finland to take part at the event. “With this, we want to continue our expansion in the US throughout our different business units,” he said. “This strategic decision reaffirms K.Hartwall’s commitment to delivering innovative logistics solutions to US companies in the Retail, Postal & Parcel, and Automotive industries.”
Jeff Pfieffer, Vice President of Sales & Marketing in the US, emphasized the significance of the new facilities. “By opening these new facilities, K.Hartwall wants to strengthen its foothold in the US market,” he stated. “Our commitment to provide local services combined with our dedication to improve the efficiency of our customers’ intralogistics positions us for further growth and success in the region.”
K.Hartwall signs contract to build new facilities in Germany
Meanwhile, K.Hartwall is expanding its European footprint with an investment in new facilities in Germany, just outside of Hamburg. This comes in response to the escalating demand for automation solutions globally, including AMR/AGV’s and tugger trains. The premises will be located in the Innovation Park, a bustling ecosystem for innovation, only 20 km from their current location, ensuring a seamless transition.
Eero Heinonen, the Executive Vice-President of K.Hartwall, oversees the German operations and elaborated on the advantages of the Innovation Park. “The green field nature of the park allows us to design the building layout according to our specific requirements,” he said. “By having both the offices and plant under the same roof, we can achieve greater operational efficiency and empower us to continue delivering cutting-edge automation solutions to our clients worldwide.”
The new German facility will span an impressive 134,550 square feet (approximately 12,500 m2) of land, with 107,639 square feet (around 10,000 m2) dedicated to building construction. With construction expected to commence next year and wrap up by 2025, the facility promises to offer advanced technologies like 5G, collaboration opportunities with universities, and enhanced connectivity with suppliers.
Reflecting on the growth trajectory, Jerker Hartwall reiterated the company’s vision, stating, “Our current premises in Heidenau were becoming cramped, especially when it came to conducting test runs of our LiftLiner® tugger trains and our star mobile robot, the A-MATE®, before delivering them to our customers. We are confident that this expansion will position us for sustained growth and reinforce our position as a leader in the industry.”
With these dual expansions, K.Hartwall not only consolidates its presence in two of the world’s most significant markets but also charts a roadmap for a future filled with innovation and global outreach.
Source: K.Hartwall