Investment of just under 60 million euros
Around 200 cutting-edge workplaces
Focus on strong growth for the future
A grand ceremony took place in the presence of Hesse's Minister for
Finance, Dr. Thomas Schäfer, today to mark the opening of the new
wheels and brakes workshop by Lufthansa Technik AG at the Frankfurt
East Harbor location.
Taking just two years to construct, a total of around 60 million
euros was invested in the state-of-the-art industrial facility with
its some 200 workplaces at present. All signs are clearly pointing to
growth for the future.
An ultra-modern industrial facility with a gross floor area of 14,500
Sq m was built on the 35,000 Sq m plot. Thanks to optimized
processes, tailored logistics and state-of-the-art plant equipment,
the new site enables the cost-effective supply of wheels and brakes
for flight operations for Lufthansa and numerous other European
customers. And while business with low-cost carriers is already
strong, this new site opens up opportunities for even further growth
in this area.
Some 27,000 wheels and 5,000 brakes were repaired in the old workshop
on the airport site in 2016 - way more than the original maximum
capacity of the facility, which was designed originally for 15,000
wheels and 2,500 brakes annually. The new production now allows
growth to 32,000 or 6,000 units per year.
"I am delighted with this remarkable commitment by Lufthansa Technik
to the Frankfurt location," says Dr. Thomas Schäfer, Minister for
Finance in the State of Hesse. "From Lufthansa's perspective, the
workshop will offer the latest standards in environmental protection
and energy efficiency. With its cutting-edge production logistics,
the facility is a further indication that Industry 4.0 is not just a
vision in Hesse but already a reality."
"Lufthansa and Frankfurt are a well-established team. We want to
continue growing in Frankfurt. This investment is therefore an
important foundation for ensuring the supply of our fleet," says
Klaus Froese, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa German Airlines
Hub Frankfurt.
"We are very deliberately developing this new facility here in the
heart of Germany," says Dr. Thomas Stüger, Executive Board Member
Technical Operations, Logistics & IT at Lufthansa Technik AG. "When
the right conditions are in place, it is possible to work not only
efficiently but also economically even in a high-wage economy thanks
to the latest production techniques and the unique experience of our
staff. We are very proud to have accomplished this objective in
collaboration with all partners involved."
"I would like to thank all the trades, partners and colleagues for
the excellent cooperation in implementing this ambitious project,"
says Frank Zimmermann, Head of Project Management of Lufthansa
Technik's new wheels and brakes workshop. "We set ourselves ambitious
targets and have brought these to fruition today on time and within
budget." The new facility exceeds the requirements stipulated in the
Energy Savings Ordinance by more than 30 percent. A separate combined
heat and power plant, for example, was constructed for this purpose.
Even the waste heat from the machines will therefore be used
intelligently for air conditioning the building.
Considerable effort is invested in the maintenance of aircraft wheels
and brakes owing to their importance for the safety of flight
operations. Lufthansa Technik takes care of all the necessary work -
from wheel or brake changes to small repairs or complete overhauls of
a wheel or brake. Every wheel or brake passes through numerous
stations until finally, after a thorough check in accordance with
internationally applicable aviation laws, it is approved in the final
inspection.