AYKA ParX and Zeppelin Baumaschinen celebrated the start of construction of the new logistics center in the Cologne-Bonn economic and logistics region with a symbolic laying of the foundation stone. AYKA ParX is developing a custom-made logistics center for the largest company in the Zeppelin Group, with 16,400 m² of usable space indoors and 4,000 m² outdoors. From the new location, Zeppelin Baumaschinen will plan and procure spare parts for Cat construction machinery and handle storage and distribution for all branches and service stations of all business divisions within Germany. A total of approximately 100 to 125 employees will be employed.
AYKA ParX, a developer of commercial and logistics parks and an investor in industrial and commercial real estate in need of restructuring, celebrated the laying of the foundation stone for a new logistics center in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, together with Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH on October 10, 2025. Zeppelin Baumaschinen, based in Garching near Munich, is Europe’s leading sales and service organization in the construction machinery industry and has been the sales and service partner of Caterpillar Inc., the world’s largest manufacturer of construction machinery, in Germany since 1954. With 1,941 employees and sales of around €1.19 billion in 2024, Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH is the largest company in the Zeppelin Group, a provider of comprehensive solutions in the construction, agriculture, recycling, energy, and industrial sectors.
In addition to representatives from AYKA ParX and Zeppelin Baumaschinen, representatives from the City of Cologne and Cologne Economic Department (KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung), from the general contractor Köster Bau, and from other project participants were present.
AYKA ParX is building a logistics center for Zeppelin Baumaschinen with a total usable area of 16,400 m² indoors and 4,000 m² outdoors. Among other things, a high-bay warehouse and an automated small parts warehouse from AutoStore are being built inside the hall. In addition, a hazardous materials warehouse and a production facility for hydraulic hoses are being constructed. A rooftop photovoltaic system and the use of an air heat pump will ensure CO2-reduced operation.
The property is being built on a 50,830 m² brownfield site. The company will use it for the planning and procurement of construction machinery spare parts for all of its branches and service stations of all business divisions within Germany.
“The Cologne location is of crucial importance for the Zeppelin organization’s spare parts supply. It is close to Caterpillar’s central spare parts warehouse in Grimbergen, Belgium, which supplies the logistics center in Cologne with Caterpillar spare parts. In addition, it has good connections to several highways. We are delighted to have AYKA ParX as an experienced and competent partner at our side, who has found a convincing solution for our individual needs,” comments Holger Schulz, CEO of Zeppelin Baumaschinen.
Dr. Manfred Janssen, Managing Director of KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung, emphasizes: “Projects like this show how important it is to reactivate former commercial sites. In a densely populated metropolis like Cologne, the economy also needs sufficient space to grow. This is the only way to create the jobs of tomorrow.”
“This project is special to us in several ways. On the one hand, we are pursuing an approach that aims to add value for users, the surrounding area, and the community with our real estate solutions. In Cologne, we are developing custom-made, modern spaces for a well-known company that will strengthen the regional economy. In addition, we are aiming for sustainable building development that focuses on reducing CO2 emissions and contributing to climate and environmental protection. The building application process was completed in just nine months. The building authority, economic development agency, and other relevant departments of the City of Cologne provided excellent support. We would like to thank everyone involved in the project for their cooperation and partnership,” says Patrick Schumacher-Kurowski, Managing Partner at AYKA ParX.
Construction of the property began in the spring of this year, and AYKA ParX expects the building project and outdoor facilities to be completed in the summer of 2026. The user will be able to start interior work in September 2026, with commissioning planned for 2027.
Other parties involved in the project include Köster Bau as the general contractor, the architectural firm k-fünf, and KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderung.
