DB Schenker receives the key to its new headquarters

Frankfurt/Berlin - DB Schenker has a new headquarters in Frankfurt. Dr. Karl-Friedrich Rausch, Member of the Management Board of DB Mobility Logistics AG responsible for Transportation and Logistics, received the symbolic key to the new DB Schenker building in Frankfurt’s Gateway Gardens from the builders Dr. Alois Rhiel (OFB) and Jürgen Groß (Groß & Partner) today.

In attendance for the hand-over were Volker Bouffier, Minister-President of the federal state of Hesse, Olaf Cunitz, Mayor of Frankfurt am Main, and over 100 guests from the political and business communities.

“Our new DB Schenker headquarters marks the first time we are consolidating management of the Transportation and Logistics Division and the European headquarters of our rail freight transport company in a single location. Not only will the move make our operations even more effective in the future, we are also sending a clear signal of Frankfurt’s importance as an international logistics hub. Our employees will feel right at home in the modern building,” said Rausch.

“Today we are celebrating the opening of the new DB Schenker headquarters at Frankfurt’s Gateway Gardens, one and a half years after construction began – an impressive feat,” said Bouffier. The House of Logistics and Mobility is currently being built nearby. “Transportation and logistics are at home in Hesse. Over 200,000 men and women work in the sector. Both Deutsche Bahn AG and Hesse’s economy will benefit from DB’s decision to locate here,” concluded Bouffier.

“I am delighted that DB Schenker has chosen Gateway Gardens for its headquarters and has moved into the Alpha Rotex, the tallest building at the airport,” said Cunitz, who, in addition to serving as mayor and head of Frankfurt’s planning department, also chairs the supervisory board of Gateway Gardens Projektentwicklungs-GmbH. “The Gateway Gardens district is experiencing strong growth thanks to its excellent intermodal connections. It’s a boon for Frankfurt.”

“Today we are handing over the Alpha Rotex to its main tenant, DB Schenker. The unique building at Gateway Gardens is the tallest structure at Frankfurt Airport and can be seen from miles away,” said Rhiel, Chairman of the Management of OFB Projektentwicklung GmbH. “By moving to Gateway Gardens at Frankfurt Airport City, DB Schenker has chosen a location that offers the highest level of mobility and internationality. We hope Schenker enjoys its new home,” said Groß, Managing Partner of Groß & Partner Grundstücksentwicklungsgesellschaft mbH.

The new logistics headquarters has office space for some 500 DB Schenker employees. Just over 300 employees from DB Schenker Rail’s European headquarters, 120 employees from the management of the Transportation and Logistics Division with overarching corporate functions such as strategy, legal affairs and human resources, and numerous employees from functions that fall under both DB Schenker Rail and DB Schenker Logistics, some from other countries in Europe, have been working here since August 19. Beginning in November, an additional 100 employees from the European Operations Center (EOC) and Cargo Control Center of DB Schenker Rail will also move into the building.

DB Schenker has officially leased the top ten floors of the 15-story building since June 30, 2013. It uses around 14,500 of the office building’s total 23,000 square meters of rental space. The new building has enabled functions from Berlin, Mainz, Essen and Kelsterbach to be merged and consolidated in Frankfurt.

The Alpha Rotex was designed according to DB’s modern Open Space office concept. The concept encourages team-based collaboration and embodies a modern understanding of management, leadership and change in corporate culture. The open plan design offers a wide range of work stations, including standard work stations, or “single spaces,” which offer employees space to work individually, and common areas for social coffee breaks to encourage communication. The ground floor of the DB Schenker headquarters houses a state-of-the-art conference area and a restaurant open to the public, which includes a coffee bar and outdoor terrace.

Sustainability has been a factor in construction of the 68 meter building since the planning phase. The Alpha Rotex was built according to the requirements of LEED Gold (Leadership in Environmental & Energy Design) environmental certification. This certificate sets especially high standards for water and energy efficiency, use of environmentally friendly materials and resources, indoor air quality, and innovative design. These requirements also correspond to the sustainability standards DB Schenker and the entire DB Group have set for themselves.

OFB Projektentwicklung and Gesellschaft Groß & Partner were in charge of construction of the new DB Schenker headquarters, which took shape on the approximately 7,400 square meter property over the past 18 months. The striking triangular building at the western edge of Gateway Gardens was designed by the Jo. Franzke architectural firm.

Note for photo editors: Photos of the hand-over will be available at www.deutschebahn.com/mediathek (“Group affairs” section) beginning at 5 p.m.