How do you convert a cold storage facility into a high-performance frozen-food storage unit—and do so while a food-processing logistics facility is still in operation? This was precisely the challenge Transgourmet Deutschland GmbH & Co. OHG faced at its Hamburg location. One thing was clear: supply security, the cold chain, and delivery operations must not be disrupted at any time. To carry out the project, Transgourmet once again turned to LIST Bau—the same partner that had constructed the original building back in 2018.
Within a year, LIST Construction—working with a project team comprising several LIST companies—completed the conversion into a frozen-food warehouse and the expansion of the existing building—all while logistics operations continued uninterrupted. The special requirements included strict hygiene standards inside the facility, a continuous flow of goods, and complex construction processes. Even during the final stages of work on the addition, operations there had already resumed in full. This was only possible thanks to close coordination between the client, the project team, and the contractors.
Operational solutions for demanding requirements.
The technical challenges posed by the site—particularly the high water table—made continuous special foundation work necessary. To address this, our colleagues optimized the originally planned structural system: “Instead of the planned shaft foundations, we proposed and implemented cast-in-place foundation slabs attached to the columns. This allowed us to avoid interfering with the groundwater—and thus save time on the permitting process,” explains Frank Fimpler, project manager at LIST Construction Nordhorn.
Sustainability aspects were also intelligently integrated with the building’s functional requirements: For example, the green roof specifically contributes to heat protection in the summer while simultaneously improving the microclimate—an added benefit for both building services and the environment. A large-scale PV system has also been installed.
A true LIST team project.
Such a complex undertaking during ongoing operations can only succeed with well-coordinated teamwork—including within LIST. The project team was made up of colleagues from four of our construction companies. The LIST Ingenieure contributed the digital BIM model, which significantly facilitated project execution.
The result: a modern, expanded deep-freeze unit, seamlessly integrated into operations—with maximum efficiency, minimal disruption, and a clear goal: freshness that gets there.
