New high-tech manufacturing for HELSATECH

Pleated air filter medium

HELSATECH Activated Carbon Cell Body

After successful integration, the MANN+HUMMEL Group announced details of the strategic site planning for HELSATECH today: In the first quarter of 2023, the MANN+HUMMEL site in Himmelkron will be expanded and will serve as the new headquarters for the premium provider of molecular air filtration technologies. The MANN+HUMMEL plant, located twelve kilometers from Gefrees, produces particulate filters for the automotive industry as well as molecular air filters for household applications, pharmaceutical production, cleanrooms, and hospital operations.

World's most modern manufacturing for molecular filtration

Due to continuous growth and further market potentials in the field of air purification, which have been increasingly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, synergies within the group are now to be utilized. "The processes at the Gefrees site are still heavily influenced by the former helsa shoulder pad manufacturing. This no longer does justice to the production of our specialized technology products," explains Norbert Gregor, Vice President & Managing Director of Molecular Filtration at MANN+HUMMEL.

At the Himmelkron plant, HELSATECH can benefit from increased production efficiency and capacity as well as digitized manufacturing processes. According to Norbert Gregor, CO2 emissions will also be significantly reduced across all value-added processes in the future. This positions the leading manufacturer of molecular filters to set new industry standards.

Expansion of the Himmelkron site

To integrate the new jobs and machines, the existing logistics center at the Himmelkron site will be converted into an additional production hall. Additionally, a new building of over 11,000 square meters is planned. "MANN+HUMMEL has deliberately chosen to expand the existing plant rather than relocating to other interesting global sites. This is a long-term commitment to the Oberfranken region and the advantages of the Bavarian location. As a result, we can preserve all jobs and make the region even more attractive," explained Bernd Kolb, Managing Director and Plant Manager of MANN+HUMMEL Himmelkron. "We are very pleased that the production plant near Gefrees in Himmelkron offers ideal conditions and the necessary flexibility for future developments while creating synergies to realize the future needs of the filtration market from Bavaria."

The HELSACOMP, which specializes in the production of elastomer membranes, will remain in Gefrees and will benefit from additional capacities and growth opportunities through the new site concept. "The move to Himmelkron repeatedly demonstrates trust in the teams of HELSATECH and HELSACOMP," says Norbert Gregor. "Through integration into the MANN+HUMMEL Group, both areas can also better implement large projects. The upcoming plans are a decisive step for us to accelerate our growth trajectory — including the intensive use of the latest digital technologies."

With the acquisition of HELSATECH GmbH and HELSACOMP GmbH in September 2020, the MANN+HUMMEL Group was able to expand its expertise in activated carbon technology as well as in the manufacturing of elastomer membranes. This allows MANN+HUMMEL to offer a broad product portfolio in the field of molecular filtration in the future.