N3 Engine Overhaul Services (N3), the joint venture between Lufthansa Technik and Rolls-Royce, has officially begun construction of a state-of-the-art logistics centre at its Arnstadt, Germany site. The new facility forms a key part of the “xDREAM” expansion programme, aimed at significantly increasing overhaul capacity for Rolls-Royce Trent engines.
The three-storey building will become the logistical heart of N3’s operations, consolidating incoming goods handling, internal logistics, storage, and administrative functions under one roof. The ground floor will house the incoming and outgoing goods area, while the first floor will be dedicated to storage space. The upper level will contain modern, barrier-free offices and social spaces, including facilities for around 560 staff and over 30 desk-based employees.
A central feature of the facility is the fully automated high-bay warehouse, measuring approximately 123 metres long, 29 metres wide and 26 metres high. It will support dynamic height adjustment for large-volume goods, offering unprecedented efficiency in storing components up to four x four metres. Integrated intelligent IT systems will allow real-time inventory tracking and end-to-end process automation, aligning with N3’s goal of creating digital, agile and resilient logistics.
Also incorporated in the design are 24 high-performance warehouse lifts, each about 24 metres high, for the streamlined movement of engine parts. Adjacent to the logistics hub, a new Customer Delivery Centre (CDC) will allow weather-protected loading of complete engines using cranes and forklift systems. It will also handle production-related dispatch operations.
The logistics centre is expected to be operational by 2027. As the largest element of the xDREAM programme, it complements additional projects including canteen and factory hall expansions, upgraded cleaning systems for engine components, and modernised office spaces. Altogether, N3 and its parent companies are investing approximately €150 million (US$174 million) in enhancing the Erfurter Kreuz site, reinforcing its position as a leading facility in engine overhaul and aviation logistics.
