“The global markets will continue to need high-quality electric motors and fans in the future,” says CEO Peter Fenkl. That’s why the Künzelsau-based company is now investing 16 million euros in the expansion of its production buildings at the Kupferzell site. Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut praises the investment in Baden-Württemberg at the official groundbreaking ceremony.

“The new construction project is a clear commitment to Baden-Württemberg as a location for manufacturing and innovation. Our state needs companies like Ziehl-Abegg SE that take on a leadership role in our economy, particularly during difficult times,” says Minister for Economic Affairs Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut. The Hohenlohe industrial company has also been affected worldwide by the corona crisis: sales are close to the previous year.

“However, a higher than average 8.6 percent increase in sales across the industry 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 which contain Ziehl-Abegg products. In particular, in the current year the Drive Technology Division, which manufactures electric motors for elevators, is enjoying one record high order intake after the other. In the new building, an additional approx. 8,400 square metres of production area will be created for the manufacture of the state-of-the-art generation of energy-efficient electric motors.

“The durable and efficient electric motor has been our core area of expertise for more than 100 years,” emphasises Fenkl. Ziehl-Abegg is simultaneously the leader in the technology of biomimetic fan design. However, since many geometries with ideal aerodynamic characteristics cannot be realized in steel or aluminium, the company is expanding its composite materials area.

“It is essential for us to create extra space for additional composite material injection moulding machines” says Fenkl. Overall, Ziehl-Abegg is expanding its production facilities or optimising existing plants worldwide: both in Schöntal-Bieringen where the aluminium casting operation is based, as well as at its locations in America and Asia.

“Corona has demonstrated in particular that we and our customers must take a close look at the use of long delivery routes,” says the CEO.