Pistor expands its headquarters
The Pistor company wants to expand its highly automated logistics solution and thus continue its growth course. To do this, Pistor needs more space. From 2026, a new infrastructure will therefore be built on 31,700 square metres at the headquarters in Rothenburg. This could create more jobs for the region.
Pistor AG has been headquartered in Hasenmoosstrasse – near Rothenburg Station – for over 40 years. The company offers over 25,000 products as well as innovative services: “As a wholesaler and service provider, we have been supplying not only bakeries and confectioners for some time, but also catering and healthcare businesses such as hospitals and retirement homes. We want to supply the latter increasingly with medical consumables,” explains Pistor CEO Patrick Lobsiger. He emphasises that the company is basically on a growth course, which is why more space is needed.
The planned 32,000 square metres of space will mainly be used for warehousing, goods handling and distribution. In addition, there will be parking spaces for cars, lorries and bicycles, as well as new office space. These are to be realised on the meadow between the headquarters and the ACE Café. Since the site is located in the agricultural zone, rezoning is a prerequisite. This fulfils the requirements of the Lucerne Plus partial guideline plan for settlement management 2030. The Rothenburg electorate approved this project on 12 March 2023. The cantonal government of Lucerne still has to formally confirm the voters’ decision in an approval procedure. Lobsiger is pleased about the trust of the people of Rothenburg: “With the expanded infrastructure and our highly automated logistics solutions, we want to offer our cooperative members and customers the most efficient and reliable supply chain on the market,” says Lobsiger.
The new building is to be constructed in three stages starting in 2026 using a CO2-reducing construction method. Around two years are planned for each stage. None of the buildings will exceed 30 metres in height. An ecological upgrading of the new buildings by greening the surroundings is planned. The flat roofs will also be greened and equipped with seepage-capable surfacing and photovoltaic systems. The double-digit million euro amount budgeted for the expansion of the headquarters is also to include the acquisition of additional E-LKWS. By the end of 2023 alone, Pistor AG wants to expand its fleet from the current three to a new eleven e-trucks.
The company, which currently employs around 616 people, is considered an important employer in Rothenburg. The expansion could create more jobs for central Switzerland.