Minister of Economics Dr. Hoffmeister-Kraut opens new building of ebm-papst

Opening of the new testing center of ebm-papst with State Minister of Economics Dr. Hoffmeister-Kraut.

State Minister of Economics Dr. Hoffmeister-Kraut gets an insight into the product range of the fan manufacturer ebm-papst at their production facility in Hollenbach.

After approximately 15 months of construction, ebm-papst opened its new testing center for energy-efficient fans in Hollenbach (Hohenlohe district) on Wednesday. Additionally, another building for the manufacturing of operational materials is nearing completion.

The shareholders Jan Philippiak and Ralf Sturm, Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, Chairman of the Group Management Board, as well as Managing Directors Dr. Stephan Arnold, Dr. Sonja Fleischer, and Thomas Wagner, were able to welcome Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Economic Affairs, Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, and Member of the State Parliament, Freiherr von Eyb, at the opening.

"I am pleased that Dr. Hoffmeister-Kraut followed my invitation here," said Freiherr von Eyb, and confirmed, "ebm-papst is significant for the region and the number one employer in the Jagst Valley. Moreover, ebm-papst is committed to sustainability in both economic and regional terms."

"Family businesses make Baden-Württemberg," praised the minister during the visit. "The long-term orientation of a company is also reflected in its investment decisions. I am therefore very pleased that the ebm-papst Group continues to invest heavily in the Mulfingen location. This is a great signal for the innovation and industrial location of Baden-Württemberg," said the Minister of Economics.

In the new testing center, qualification tests required during product development are conducted. Every newly developed fan is thoroughly tested here: standardized climate, shock, and vibration tests, corrosion tests, and protection class tests. Durability tests under defined climate conditions, as well as development-related functional and component tests, are also carried out here. With the new testing center, the laboratories, which were previously spread across different locations, can now be centralized.

"We are shaping the future together in several ways: With a highly competent team, we develop future-proof sustainable products, produce them in climate-oriented manufacturing, and strengthen the German site with continuous investments," says Dr. Klaus Geißdörfer, Chairman of the Management Board of the ebm-papst Group.

"As a leading manufacturer of so-called EC fans, which feature high energy efficiency and are used in ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration technology, and information technology, we make a significant contribution to climate protection and sustainability," Geißdörfer adds. Since 2007, investments have been made at the Hollenbach site, which is being expanded gradually. Currently, around 1,000 employees are employed here.

The entire plant in Hollenbach is a Plus Energy Building and is platinum-certified according to DGNB (German Sustainable Building Council).

Right next to the testing center, and soon to be completed, is a building for the company's own manufacturing of operational materials. It is scheduled to be occupied in summer. Here, machines and tools for manufacturing fan innovations will be built in the future. The investments for both buildings amount to approximately 10 million euros.

During a factory tour, guests from politics and the press gained insights into the manufacturing of fans. At other stations in the production process, ebm-papst's commitment was exemplified: The "Energy Scout" training project, launched by ebm-papst in 2010 and further developed nationwide through the involvement of the IHK, where apprentices identify energy wasters and seek solutions for energy-efficient operation. They independently implement project ideas.

ebm-papst's COVID-19 management also received recognition from the minister. At the very beginning of the pandemic, a task force was established nationwide. Measures included conducting PCR tests with their own testing equipment and internal vaccination and booster campaigns. With the low-threshold vaccination offer, a vaccination rate of over 80% among employees has been achieved so far.