The Masterflex Group, world market leader in the hi-tech hose and connection system sector, is investing extensively in its Gelsenkirchen plant this year. At the group's most important production plant for spiral hoses, the warehousing and production facilities are to be significantly developed. Earlier this year, a warehouse with a floor area of some 850 m2 on the site in Gelsenkirchen's Willy-Brandt-Allee commenced operations.
The second phase of work will involve the construction of a new two-storey building with a total floor area of 7700 m² and attached external facilities.
The foundation stone for this structure was laid last Friday in the presence of Dr. Andreas Bastin, Chairman of the Masterflex Group, Frank Baranowski, the Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, various representatives of the Gelsenkirchen Business Promotion Association and business partners of the Masterflex Group.
"By means of this expenditure, we hope not only to boost our presence here but also to provide a secure future for our workforce in terms of their jobs," explained Dr. Bastin. A total of €7 million is to be spent in construction and equipment that will include industry 4.0-capable machinery. In the view of management, this will bring several benefits at once - not only will supply capacity be improved, but logistic processes will be also be facilitated. In addition, the Masterflex Group is investing heavily in future-orientated industry 4.0 equipment. Mayor Baranowski welcomed the expansion being undertaken by Masterflex as a clear sign of the group's commitment to its presence in Gelsenkirchen. "There is no doubt that Masterflex is among the major business drivers in Gelsenkirchen," he said. "The fact that the group is making such extensive investments is good news for Gelsenkirchen and will ensure to a considerable extent the future viability of its plant here." The new building is to be constructed on the western side of the production site and will form an annex to the existing structure. It will house a production hall extending to some 1200 m², a similarly sized multifunctional space that can be used both for production and storage and a roughly 3800 m² warehouse for finished products, raw materials and hazardous substances. The new building will also contain office spaces, a laboratory, workshops and recreation rooms for personnel. Improved loading and unloading zones are additionally to be constructed on the site.
Masterflex employs some 140 personnel at its Gelsenkirchen plant. In 2015, the group achieved a turnover of €64.1 million. This year, the group plans to ensure that it grows at a rate greater than that of the global economy (forecast: 2.9 %) and is expecting to earn a significantly better operating profit than in 2015 (€4.9 million).
You'll find the video of the foundation stone ceremony here: <link https: www.youtube.com>
