The Filling and Portioning Systems division (F&P) of Handtmann is expanding with the investment of around 14 million euros in the construction of a new assembly hall that will increase capacity to stay ahead of growing demand for Handtmann food processing technologies. The groundbreaking ceremony on the Handtmann campus was February 16th with completion scheduled for the end of 2023.
The food processing division, a market leader for end-to-end technology solutions in the food processing sector, is part of the widely diversified Handtmann Group of Companies, a 5th generation family-owned company with global headquarters in Biberach Germany. The company has been developing and producing complex technology, automation and digital solutions for the food processing sector for almost 70 years.
Harald Suchanka, CEO of the F&P, comments: “We expect continued growth in demand for our sustainable solutions in the coming years. Strong growth driver proves to be the consistent expansion of our portfolio to include new business areas such as customised solutions or the provision of line solutions for comprehensive production processes. The high level of investment in our own subsidiaries and sales companies in the key markets also helps to generate new market share and dynamic sales growth.”
Dr. Mark Betzold, CTO F&P, adds: “Expansions and optimizations in the production plants are sensible in order to secure the growth course we have chosen, to be able to meet the increasing demand in the future and not to make compromises in terms of quality and technology. The new assembly hall with an additional floor space of 7,280 m² allows us to realign production and especially assembly and to make it scalable. We are thus further strengthening our competitiveness and market position.”
Valentin Ulrich, grandson of company founder Arthur Handtmann and the fifth generation in the company, was present as a representative of the Handtmann Group: “The Filling and Portioning Systems division has seen very positive development in recent years. We look ahead with optimism and see ourselves well equipped for the future with the recent modernisation of the production area.”
Thomas Handtmann, who leads the company in fourth generation, emphasises: “This investment is also a strong endorsement by the owner families of a long-term commitment to the industry and our region”.
This new facility is the latest in a series of production expansions, including a new customer and technology center in 2010, a second customer forum for bakery applications in 2014 and a state-of-the-art logistics centre in 2017.
Handtmann expands capacity
“We want to be an attractive employer, offering our employees the best working conditions,” notes Markus Handtmann. “Besides the additional employment in Biberach, Suchanka says “We are also strengthening our workforce in the markets we serve directly through our sales companies.” The F&P division currently employs 1,500.
Family-owned business prioritizes sustainable building
Sustainable action is firmly anchored as a corporate value at Handtmann. In addition to the installation of a photovoltaic system and extensive green roofs, investments will again be made in the expansion of the utility infrastructure. In-house use of the solar power generated will be boosted by an integrated medium voltage network within the group of companies. Waste heat from the production process will be used to heat all of the Handtmann Group campus via an integrated heat network, reducing the use of fossil energy and the company’s carbon footprint.
