Weleda AG, the global market leader for certified natural cosmetics and anthroposophic medicines, has a new landmark: Together with numerous guests from politics, business and society, the company officially opened its new logistics center, the Weleda Cradle Campus, today in Schwäbisch Gmünd as part of an event on the future of the economy. Among the participants were Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs of the State of Baden-Württemberg, and Richard Arnold, Lord Mayor of the City of Schwäbisch Gmünd.
The Cradle Campus is a beacon of sustainability - ecologically, economically and socially. The architecture has already won awards. Built largely from local wood and clay and powered by solar and geothermal energy, the new logistics center is 100 percent emission-free. The design was specifically tailored to the requirements and wishes of the employees. With a total volume of 90 million euros, the new logistics center is the largest investment in the company's history.
“The Cradle Campus fits perfectly with the Weleda strategy. It stands for growth with responsibility, for growth in harmony with people and nature,” explained Tina Müller, CEO of Weleda AG, in her keynote speech. In its overall concept, which also takes into account the strengthening of the circular economy and biodiversity, the project is trend-setting for the economy. “Protecting our planet requires new ways of thinking and acting,” said Müller. “It is not enough to damage natural resources less. We have to give something back and strengthen our natural resources again. We must operate in a regenerative way. Sustainability and growth are not contradictory. Sustainability creates growth.”
“The Cradle Campus bridges the gap between Weleda's past and future,” said Thomas Jorberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Weleda AG. “It represents the values that have applied to us since the company was founded: Sustainability, the careful treatment of nature, social interaction. At the same time, the campus shows in an exemplary way how business should function today and in the future.”
Equipped for further growth
With the new building, for which the ground-breaking ceremony took place in September 2021, Weleda intends to bundle its international sales logistics, which were previously spread across six locations, centrally in one place. As part of the project, the company has digitalized its logistics and also significantly optimized order picking and shipping for its customers thanks to the fully automated high-bay warehouse. With the new wooden high-bay warehouse, which can hold 17,200 pallets, Weleda has also significantly expanded its existing logistics capacities. In normal operations, XX deliveries a day will be sent from here to 47 countries worldwide.
“With the Cradle Campus, we are ideally equipped for Weleda's growth. We are taking our logistics to a whole new level,” explained Alois Mayer, member of the Weleda Management Board. “But the campus is even more: a thoroughly sustainable building complex embedded in nature.” For example, the use of clay for the walls has created a structure that even meets the strict requirements for the storage of pharmaceuticals without the need for artificial air conditioning.
Award-winning architecture
The campus has already received a number of awards for its architecture, which is consistently geared towards sustainability: the renowned Polis Award 2024 in the “Ecological Effectiveness” category and, most recently, the “Iconic Award” from the German Design Council in the “Best of Best - Innovative Architecture” category. At the start of construction, the large-scale project was awarded the DGNB Platinum Standard pre-certificate, the highest assessment level of the German Sustainable Building Council.
The jurors also recognized the measures to strengthen biodiversity. Weleda is also enhancing the new site by creating conditions for the greatest possible biodiversity. For example, meadow orchards with wild fruits, a juniper heath and rose hedges have been created in the outdoor areas. This transforms an agricultural monoculture into a landscape with a high level of biodiversity.
Tina Müller: “Of course, the project was a financial feat for Weleda. But when you see what has been created here, you can only say: it was worth it.”
