The Future at Festool

Festool has built a new, ultra-modern assembly plant in Weilheim/Teck. In impressive style too.

The Festool logistics centre for individual and small parts has also stood nearby for the past two years, so it makes sense to bring assembly and logistics operations closer together in Weilheim.

The ground was broken in February 2020. In August 2021, the team moved into the building. How was that possible? "We are a great team, and everyone gives more than 100%," says Michaela Hammer. "We wouldn't have been able to erect a new building in just 18 months otherwise."

Of course, the work of the core team began much earlier. When Michaela Hammer started her job as commercial plant manager in Neidlingen, the idea for the new production site in Weilheim was just beginning to take shape.

Plant manager Manuel Ohmayer, Head of Global Production at Festool, has supported the major project all the way through. Lutz Heimann, an architect on the company's building management team, took care of the structural and energy-related specifications. „

The intensive planning process was absolutely crucial. We wanted to ensure that production layouts and material flows were optimal, processes were digitalised in a sensible way, quality standards were defined, work processes were efficient and workplaces were as comfortable as possible, says Manuel Ohmayer. "We took the initial idea and formulated requirements, then sketched out and considered various solutions," explains Lutz Heimann.

In the end, they came up with a concept that perfectly combines logistics, infrastructure, transport and supply. The entire process was very constructive, the architect recalls, because everyone had the same goal: "To create a forward-looking plant with state-of-the-art production technology, which is sustainable and will still be modern even in 10 years' time."

The building is heated and cooled by a heat pump and refrigeration system

Smartwatches are used to report malfunction or errors on production lines

Driverless transport systems ensure the supply of components

In the spacious plant employees assemble power tools at modern workstations

Sustainable: Working with a positive energy footprint.

The result – and this much we can say already – is impressive. What you can't see from the outside (or even from above) is the building's positive energy footprint.

The photovoltaic system on the roof plays a crucial role in this: Ultra-efficient, state-of-the-art PV modules generate power of 600 kWp. "Thanks to this system, we basically power our production facilities with our own electricity," says a delighted Lutz Heimann.

A modern heat pump and cooling system provides heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.

The waste heat from the compressors is also used to heat the building.

Inside the completely open assembly hall, an incredible amount of natural light pours in through the windows installed throughout.

The workstations along the assembly lines are wonderfully bright and ergonomically optimised.

Manuel Ohmayer is particularly proud of the fully automated small parts store and the driverless transport system. "We only automate activities that are physically demanding or monotonous," he stresses, adding: "We have a lot of ultra-modern equipment here, but the most important part of our plant is and remains our highly qualified employees."

There are now close to 400 employees working at the plant.

"The new building in Weilheim gives us the extra space that we urgently need for sustained growth," says Manuel Ohmayer.

The commitment to the location and to quality that this new investment demonstrates is at least as important, if not more so. For the company. For employees. And for customers

Original article courtesy of www.festool.co.uk