Jena, – January 2011: Customer-oriented, efficient and at the cutting edge of technology, asphericon GmbH is building its new company headquarters in Jena-s new industrial area „JenA4“. The official ground-breaking ceremony took place on Jan 10, 2010 and symbolized the beginning of construction on the production, development and administration complex of the medium-size optics company.
„Not only are customer orientation, the power of innovation and efficiency with resources the central ideas behind our daily work, they also make up the central themes for our new complex“, says Alexander W. Zschaebitz, Financial Director at asphericon GmbH. „With the new complex we will be able to fulfill the constantly growing needs of our customers for high quality aspheres and the closely related services such as optical design and coating. We are also creating space for new research and development projects and will be able to demonstrate our position as the technological and innovation leader. Moreover we have succeeded in designing an sustainable and efficient production processes based on advanced utilities management.“
asphericon-s modern headquarters will be built on a 5,000 sqm plot of land. It is conveniently located on the exit of the East-West tangent of the A4 freeway. With her design, the architect Viola Schemmel, from Freyler Industriebau Leipzig, creates a successful synthesis between the externally eye-catching production hall which has actually been reduced to the bare minimum and the subtly-designed administration area, which, with its open glass facade, appears to be both confident and reserved at the same time.
„With this investment we want to throw open the gate to continuously dynamic growth“, says Technical Manager Sven R. Kiontke during the ground-breaking ceremony. „With strong partners by our side, today marks the beginning of an important investment for the future of asphericon and above all our customers and staff. We will be able to optimize all manufacturing process and finally create a building to be shared by all our colleagues. Just in time for asphericon-s tenth anniversary, the new building marks the company-s transition from a -start-up- to an established medium-size company that is known throughout the world.“
During the first construction phase, a production area with around 1,800 sqm of hall space will be built by the middle of the year. In addition to integrating existing production areas, particular emphasis was placed on creating space for new departments. In addition to this, the construction project was planned according to the latest environmental standards. For example, rain water reservoirs supply the sanitation facilities and are also used for outside irrigation. Process heat is added to the heating system in winter and in the summer an intelligent ventilation system ensures that less heat enters the building, thereby making the environment more comfortable for the staff. The use of renewable energy media such as the building-s photovoltaic plant also supplies environmentally friendly heat.
The second construction phase will comprise a 750 sqm development and administration complex. From late summer, the building will provide 2 floors of space for work and communication as well as free space for creativity and relaxation. „A small terrace and various -Meeting Points- are intended to encourage communication outside the offices and production rooms. For us it was very important to remove the separation that has existed up until now between the various departments and to get all colleagues more involved in the daily development of the company. At the same time we want to provide a comfortable working environment for future staff with this open and integrative design“, emphasizes Marketing Director Dr. Thomas Hegenbart.
Both construction phases can be extended by a further 5,000 sqm if required. The technology company is investing a total of around Euro 5 million in the construction project and the technical equipment. The project, which is supported by the Free State of Thuringia, was co-financed by funds from the European Union as part of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). In addition to the main financial partner, Sparkasse Jena, asphericon was also able to bring the Leipzig-based Freyler Industriebau GmbH on board as the executive general contractor. All civil engineering works were allocated to Hoch-, Tief- und Strassenbau GmbH Hubert Werner from Hainichen.
Only registered users can comment.
