Investing in the future

LESER produces 150,000 safety valves a year in Hohenwestedt and is planning to expand the plant by 14,300 square metres. (Source: LESER)

Some companies in the industrial valves and sealing technology sector are pursuing a strategy of investing their money in stone. They are focussing on expanding their production, warehouse or office capacities. It doesn't matter whether they are a medium-sized company or an international corporation - investments are being made in almost all sizes. This is particularly surprising in view of the current difficult economic situation in Germany and in many cases shows a clear commitment to Germany as an industrial location.

Companies invest in the expansion of their production capacities for various reasons, which ultimately aim to increase their competitiveness, profitability and customer satisfaction. One of the most important motivations is the increasing demand for their products or services. By increasing production capacity, companies can ensure that they can keep pace with growing demand without risking bottlenecks or delivery delays.

Construction work is due to be completed by the end of 2026 and SAMSON AG's relocation from Frankfurt to Offenbach will be finalised. (Source: SAMSON AG)

By expanding their production capacities, companies can shorten delivery times and improve the reliability of their deliveries. This helps to increase customer satisfaction and build long-term relationships with them. Expanding production capacity can enable companies to tap into new markets and strengthen their presence in existing markets. This can be done by providing additional products or services or by expanding geographic reach.

Investments in the expansion of production capacities often enable companies to integrate state-of-the-art technologies and manufacturing processes. This enables them to produce more efficiently, improve product quality and respond more flexibly to changing market requirements. Companies that invest in expanding their production capacities can gain a competitive advantage by offering their customers a wider range of products or services, better quality or faster deliveries than their competitors.

Largest investment project in the company's history

SAMSON AG has received the official certificate of completion of the building permit procedure for its new plant in Offenbach am Main. Prior to this, the second building permit required for SAMSON's Factory of the Future - MainChange project was granted. The construction work of the industrial company from Frankfurt am Main on the Offenbach innovation campus comprises two construction phases. The electronics production facility with sprinkler centre and car park as well as the factory road will be completed first. The building application for this first construction phase was approved in less than three months on 13 June 2023. Construction work could start on 1 August 2023.

SAMSON plans to start producing the electronic positioners for the valves, its main product, in Offenbach as early as October 2024. In the second stage, the remaining buildings and facilities will be constructed, including the 45-metre-high, digitally controlled rack storage facility, the paint shop and electroplating shop, the mobility centre and the forum with the office space, which is scheduled to be occupied as early as autumn 2025.

The official ground-breaking ceremony on 20 July 2023 marked the start of construction of the new building at the Bürkert Campus Criesbach. (Source: Bürkert GmbH & Co. KG)

Finally, the factory hall for assembling the large valves is completed. Some of these devices weigh up to nine tonnes. The large valve assembly is scheduled to go into operation in the second half of 2026. By using photovoltaics and electrical energy storage, at least 50% self-sufficiency in energy supply will already be achieved by then.

The relocation of the globally orientated industrial company with 2,000 employees in Frankfurt am Main alone is a logistical challenge. In addition to 1,000 machines and systems, SAMSON is moving around 3,000 tonnes of material and around 1,000 office workstations. Only what is really needed at the new location is moved.

Start of construction for new plastic injection moulding plant

In July 2023, Bürkert GmbH & Co. KG began construction of a new building at the Bürkert Campus Criesbach. On a usable area of around 5,300 square metres, a hall for plastic injection moulding with tool design and toolmaking as well as some offices will be built. Bürkert plans to complete the new building by the end of 2024. It will provide sufficient space for the plastics injection moulding, toolmaking and plastics technology centre, which are currently located in a neighbouring building - also on the Criesbach campus. The company intends to use the space that will then be freed up to expand the system house in the future, so that the space can then be increased by around 20 to 30 percent.

The new building will therefore offer Bürkert more space in the future to realise the requirements of customers in the plastics sector in-house. This is because the entire plastics manufacturing process, from the development of a solution to mould making and production in the plastic injection moulding shop, takes place directly at Bürkert. For Bürkert, sustainable construction and the sensible use of raw materials are key aspects of new buildings: this was also the case with the construction of the new building: This was already evident in the first work steps, such as compacting the soil.

The management of Goetze and representatives of the city of Ludwigsburg celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony for the new headquarters together. (Source: Goetze KG Armaturen)

Instead of using cement for compaction as usual, the company opted for lime, reports Tobias Kindtner, Construction Project Manager. Lime has the advantage of producing less CO2 than cement during production, explains Kindtner. Bürkert generally favours wood as a building material, as the production of steel generates more CO2 emissions. For example, the storey ceilings in the administration area are manufactured as wood-concrete composite ceilings. In-situ concrete is only used for the top layer, which halves the amount of concrete required.

“Commitment to Germany as a business location”

Goetze KG Armaturen, a manufacturer of fittings and valves, is setting an important milestone in the company's history. With an estimated investment volume of around 30 million euros, the company is building a new headquarters on an area of 17,000 square metres. The building will provide space for production, development and global sales. The construction work is being planned by architects Schmelzle und Partner from Dornstetten.

The new Goetze headquarters will not only provide a modern working environment for the current 180 employees, but will also create space for future growth. The new site will provide space for 350 to 400 employees, allowing the company to expand further. Particular attention will be paid to process-orientated cooperation in order to meet the latest standards. Together with the employees and specialist planners, innovative concepts such as a “staircase of encounter” will be integrated into the design of the building.

“As an internationally active company, we are committed to Germany, but above all to the Ludwigsburg site. With the new headquarters, we are sending a strong signal to our employees and the region that we are able to realise sophisticated developments and production locally”, emphasises Detlef Weimann, one of the Managing Directors of Goetze KG Armaturen. “Only with committed employees who are prepared to go the extra mile can we successfully hold our own against national and international competition.”

The move to the new headquarters is planned from the beginning of 2025 and will take place in several stages. By merging several locations, Goetze is creating the ideal conditions for successfully managing the company for generations to come.