International. Ziehl-Abegg announced an investment of 16 million euros for the expansion of its production buildings located in Kupferzell, Germany.
Ziehl-Abegg expands production for energy-saving fans in Kupferzell
"Global markets will continue to need high-quality electric motors and fans in the future," says CEO Peter Fenkl.
"The new construction project is a clear commitment to Baden-Württemberg as a place of manufacturing and innovation. Our state needs companies like Ziehl-Abegg SE to take a leading role in our economy, particularly in difficult times," says Minister of Economic Affairs Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut.
The Hohenlohe industrial company has also been affected around the world by the Covid crisis: sales are close to the previous year. "However, an above-average 8.6 percent increase in industry-wide sales in 2019 provides a solid foundation," explains CEO Fenkl. In the current year, the Hohenlohe-based company will benefit from the wide range of applications contained in Ziehl-Abegg products. In particular, in the current year, the Drive Technology Division, which manufactures electric motors for elevators, is enjoying record consumption of high orders.
In the new building, an additional approx. 8,400 square meters of production area will be created for the manufacture of the most advanced generation of energy-efficient electric motors. "The durable and efficient electric motor has been our main area of expertise for more than 100 years," Fenkl emphasizes.
Ziehl-Abegg is a manufacturer of biomimetic fan design technology. However, since many geometries with ideal aerodynamic characteristics cannot be realized in steel or aluminum, the company is expanding its composite materials area. "It is essential for us to create additional space for additional composite injection molding machines," says Fenkl. Overall, Ziehl-Abegg is expanding its production facilities or optimizing existing plants around the world: both in Schöntal-Bieringen, where the aluminium smelting operation is based, and in its locations in America and Asia. "The virus has shown in particular that we and our customers need to closely observe the use of long delivery routes," says the CEO.
"During the global economic crisis of 2008, our sales fell by 17 percent and then increased by more than 20 percent in the following year, that was only because we have very good products and motivated and qualified employees," says the company's CEO, Fenkl. In this context, Ziehl-Abegg is now deliberately investing on a countercyclical basis. "When the crown and the resulting economic crisis are over, we can start over!" The new building offers us the opportunity to increase the current number of employees at Ziehl-Abegg in the Hohenlohe Business Park from just over 800 to over 1,000.
Key facts / Ziehl-Abegg at Hohenlohe Business Park
- Construction costs: 16 million euros (building with 10 loading ramps)
- 180 additional jobs for employees
- Additional useful area: 8,400 square meters, 1,000 of which are for offices
- Total area of previous production in the business park: 44,240 square meters.
- Total number of employees in the business park approx. 850 (total 2,400 in Hohenlohe, 4,300 worldwide)
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