Since autumn 2021, Böcker has been investing in a future-oriented infrastructure at the company headquarters with an extensive new building project. New production areas with lean manufacturing processes, spacious logistics areas and modern offices are being created. The family-owned company is thus positioning itself optimally for the future and securing jobs at the Werne site in the long term.
With a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony, Managing Directors Alexander Böcker and Stephan Kuck, representatives from the city of Werne and the Unna district, representatives from the general contractor, and the architectural firm officially opened the second phase of the impressive project on April 11, 2024. Following the ceremony, all participants raised a toast to the largest construction project in the company's history.
Over the past two and a half years since the start of construction, many milestone goals have already been achieved, says Managing Director Alexander Böcker: "In the first construction phase, we dismantled old structures on the company premises and replaced them with modern production buildings for our lifting technology. A large assembly hall with an office extension for crane technology was built, adjacent to which is a spacious area for the final inspection. In addition, two neighbouring existing halls were extended. Based on detailed preliminary planning, we have created a line production facility with optimised workflows and processes as well as an ideal material flow. This allows us to efficiently produce the significantly increased quantities of recent years and prepares us well for further revenue growth. Furthermore, the expansion creates space for attractive and secure jobs."
With the groundbreaking as an important milestone, the second major phase of the construction project now begins. Further outdated halls on the factory premises will be demolished. In their place, Böcker is building a service area consisting of a new final inspection area, washing halls and cold halls for the weather-protected storage of rental equipment. The company is also building a logistics centre with a floor area of around 3,800 m2 and a further 1,700 m2 logistics hall for storing long and bulky goods on the area freed up by the demolished halls by the end of March 2026. The new logistics centre also includes a mezzanine with three additional floors. Böcker is setting up an office floor on the approximately 840 m2, as well as a social area and a canteen with a loggia.
"By centralising our logistics processes at the main plant, we will significantly increase the quality, speed and efficiency of our entire material supply. Our customers in particular will benefit from greater reliability and shorter delivery times. At the same time, we will sustainably improve the carbon footprint of our logistics, e.g. by minimising transport routes," says Managing Director Stephan Kuck, looking to the future. "We know how hard and committed our employees are to our company. That's why we are particularly pleased to be able to offer them new, functional and comfortable shower and sanitary facilities in the future. Our team will be able to come together in a modern canteen and recharge their batteries with delicious food. The new facilities are a sign of our appreciation and should help to improve their quality of life at work."
Mayor Lothar Christ was impressed and emphasised the great importance of the company's growth for the entire city and its citizens: "What we are experiencing here at Böcker is a special development according to a stringent plan with a record number of over 750 employees. It is the company's largest construction project on a challenging existing site. I am here today to say thank you. Without economic development, a city and community life cannot function. The city benefits greatly from the economy. Our cooperation is always constructive, we face the challenges together and maintain a good partnership. With this in mind, good luck and on behalf of the town of Werne, I wish you every success."
Parallel to the construction work, Böcker is investing in the sustainable energy and heat supply of the new buildings, which have all been or will be equipped with photovoltaic systems. The solar panels on the site currently produce around 1,067 MWh of green electricity per year, saving 531 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. And the trend is rising! During the day, around 35 % of the green electricity flows directly into the company's own consumption for sustainable production with a self-sufficiency rate of around 36 %. Air heat pumps utilise the self-generated solar energy to supply the new buildings with climate-friendly heat.
