Austrian Post has unveiled its new 22,000m2 parcel logistics center in Vienna-Inzersdorf that will be able to handle over 250,000 packages per day. The company has invested around €70m (US$74.5m) in the new facility, which employs 260 staff in two shifts.
The new logistics center doubles Austrian Post’s previous sorting capacity at the location and uses an innovative hybrid model in which three different sorting machines run depending on the package size: a cross-belt sorter processes up to 15,000 packages per hour, while a small parts sorter handles 9,000 smaller packages with a maximum weight of 5kg. Additional specialization is achieved through a bulky goods sorter that processes up to 1,500 particularly large and bulky packages per hour.
The facility also includes two modern AutoUnloaders to support employees. These intelligent, automatic package unloading systems unload swap body bridges (WAB), meaning 6,000 packages can be unloaded fully automatically per hour. Four roll container tippers also enable the efficient unloading of roll containers and pallets.
Green innovations
The parcel logistics center has also been designed with sustainability in mind and includes an ecologically sustainable green space concept for the open spaces and roof areas. For example, the roof areas were greened and equipped with photovoltaic modules. A photovoltaic system with an output of 2MWp was installed on the roof of the new building; together with the existing photovoltaic system of the mail logistics center, a total output of 2.8MWp is achieved. The building is also heated with an air-water heat pump.
Speaking at the official opening ceremony on April 12, Georg Pölzl, CEO, Austrian Post, said, “With the new parcel logistics center in Vienna, we are completing the expansion program of the past few years. We have invested a total of around €500m [US$533m] to always be one step ahead of parcel growth. We have not only succeeded in creating a high-performance but also a sustainable logistics center. This is proven by a comprehensive green space concept, a green roof and a photovoltaic system with an output of 2MWp.”