Innovations at Hamburg Wholesale Market
Opening of the HQL Logistics Centre

Economics Senator Gunnar Uldall officially opened one of Europe 's most modern temperature controlled logistics centres for food Ë Heinrich Hodorff introduces the future of food safety and consumer protection

At a ceremony attended by 400 invited guests representing the worlds of business, politics and the media, Economics Senator Gunnar Uldall officially opened the new high-bay pallet store erected for HQL Hodorff Qualitätslogistik; he told the gathering how impressed he was by øthe perfection of the logistics service, totally oriented to the needs of consumers and the interests of food safety.Ó Prior to the opening Heinrich Hodorff, owner of HQL, had shown the Senator around the logistics centre, which is one of the most modern temperature controlled facilities for foodstuffs anywhere in Europe. Keeping the cool chain intact, fresh fruit and vegetables from all over the world are stored in one of many different computer-controlled temperature zones.

The new logistics centre will make an important contribution to ensuring food safety and consumer protection. The unique feature of HQL is that it can provide on the spot laboratory facilities to inspect produce. That means that, in line with consumer expectations, every consignment of fruit and vegetables delivered can be inspected for pesticide residues and, if necessary, taken off the market at once.

Economics Senator Gunnar Uldall with HQL CEO Heinrich Hodorff.

øHQL will be setting new standards for food safety and consumer protection,Ó said Heinrich Hodorff, delighted at the huge response to the vision he has now been able to realize. Economics Senator Gunnar Uldall praised the wider business implications: øThis carefully crafted concept shows what city government can achieve, when forward-looking economic policy measures enable visionary entrepreneurs to invest in the future. Because one of the factors that helped make this innovative logistics centre a reality is the Senate guarantee that Hamburg Wholesale Market will remain at its current site.Ó HQL is creating 60 jobs, a number set to rise to 120 over the next few years.

Festive mood at the opening gala

Catering was in the hands of Hamburg's four top chefs Ë Sven Büttner (Atlantic Hotel), Christoph Rüffer (Vier Jahreszeiten Hotel), Thomas Martin (Louis C. Jacob) and Sven Ullrich (Park Hyatt Hotel), who also treated the guests to a live cookery demonstration. Since it is the company's philosophy is to guarantee the highest level of food safety, all the ingredients for the 4-course dinner were first inspected in a laboratory to check their quality.

Spectacular show numbers and artistic acts echoing the themes of logistics and food safety completed an entertaining evening.