New KraussMaffei Plant in Laatzen: Project Developer VGP Hands Over Keys
After two years of construction, KraussMaffei has received the keys for the new site in Laatzen near Hanover from project developer VGP. Covering an area of around 97,000 m², the new plant offers space for up to 750 workplaces for the production of extrusion systems and recycling equipment for the plastics and rubber processing industries.
Dr. Michael Ruf, KraussMaffei’s CEO, says he is “thrilled that with the commissioning of this ultra-modern site now underway, we are opening a new chapter in the 184-year history of KraussMaffei. In our new extrusion and recycling technology centre, we are placing an even stronger focus on circular economy. This means that in Laatzen, we are going to develop new solutions to make recycling processes even more efficient and thus more attractive. For example, we are going to work on a variety of digital products designed to optimise the energy efficiency of our customers’ machine utilisation.”
Relocation started in July and is expected to be completed by December. During the entire relocation period, production is continued.
Jan Van Geet, CEO of the VGP Group, emphasises: “After the sites in Einbeck near Göttingen and Parsdorf near Munich, the new plant in Laatzen is the third project for which KraussMaffei has partnered with VGP to benefit from our experience and expertise. And we are very pleased about this. It makes us proud to be part of the largest investment and modernisation program in the history of this traditional company, but at the same time, our involvement is also a mission and commitment for us. We support KraussMaffei in implementing their vision of a ‘new KraussMaffei’, but at the same time, we use our technical expertise to live our own vision of ‘improving building design for a sustainable future.'”
The Smart Factory established in Laatzen impresses with consistently networked production, data processing in real-time, process visualisation and data evaluation. The use of state-of-the-art machine tools significantly increases efficiency in production. Manufacturing times for extrusion components are simultaneously reduced so that customers will benefit from shorter delivery times.
“In the new Laatzen plant, all extrusion technologies – from pipe and profile extrusion through sheet and flat film extrusion to rubber and foam extrusion – as well as compounding and recycling technologies are combined at a single location.” explains Dieter Thewes, CEO of KraussMaffei Extrusion GmbH, emphasising the benefits of the new site.
In addition to the new office and production buildings, KraussMaffei has established a Customer Experience Center for customers and visitors. At the same time, an Innovation Center is available for technical trials performed within the frame of customer-specific projects. Demanding and complex extrusion applications can be tested here on up to 26 lines under realistic production conditions.
“I very much appreciate that an innovative and forward-looking organisation like KraussMaffei has found a new home in Laatzen. A company on its way to becoming a Smart Factory fits perfectly into a city that is preparing to become a Smart City,” says Kai Eggert, mayor of the city of Laatzen.
The move from Hanover to Krauss-Maffei-Straße in Laatzen is part of the new location strategy of the long-established Munich company – involving the relocation of four sites to larger and more modern production facilities. The new plants in JiaXing (near Shanghai) and in Einbeck (near Göttingen) have already been in operation since 2020.
In Einbeck, KraussMaffei’s subsidiary Burgsmüller produces important core components for extruders. Also this year, KraussMaffei will move into the new headquarters in Parsdorf, east of Munich. The leading manufacturer of machinery and solutions for the plastics processing industry invests a total of three-digit millions of euros in its new production sites.
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