11.07.2024

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Gerhard Schubert GmbH

Schubert ideally positioned with state-of-the-art new buildings at its headquarters

The new buildings at Schubert’s headquarters in Crailsheim embody a forward-looking concept offering an increase in assembly capacity, state-of-the-art working environments and climate-neutral building operation.

Schubert has been promoting its sustainability activities for the past two years with its Mission Blue Initiative. However, the packaging machine manufacturer has been thinking and planning with sustainability in mind for much longer. Visible proof of this is the new building complex at the company headquarters in Crailsheim: A forward-looking concept consisting of increased capacities in assembly, state-of-the-art working environments and climate-neutral building operation.

A high-profile flagship for a sustainable future

Although the actual construction of the final assembly hall and office building began in spring 2022, the L2218 road between Crailsheim and Dinkelsbühl had to be relocated three years earlier to create space for the new buildings. Now, with their lofty, streamlined design, they blend seamlessly into the overall complex. A total area of 13,000 square metres was created, of which the assembly hall alone takes up 8,500 square metres. Totalling 45 million euros, the project represents the largest single investment in the company’s history and strengthens Schubert for the future in three key respects. Firstly, the area for final assembly will be increased by 30 per cent, which will enable greater production capacities and therefore further growth for the company. Secondly, attractive premises are being created for 300 new workspaces, tailored to meet the needs of tomorrow’s working environments. And thirdly, the new buildings will be entirely climate-neutral thanks to an ingenious energy concept.

An aerial shot of one of Schubert’s new buildings with a view of the rooftop photovoltaic system.

Schubert covers a quarter of its electricity requirements with the photovoltaic system on the roof of the new final assembly hall and on a neighbouring hall.

Two employees at work with a clear view to the assembly hall.

The new buildings bring design and assembly even closer together, as the direct view into the assembly hall reveals.

New working worlds

When it comes to sustainability, the packaging machine manufacturer is committed to transparency, and the six-metre-high glass façades of the new hall are also transparent, as is the façade of the four-storey office building directly adjacent to it. Design and machine assembly are now even closer together: From the new design offices, you can see directly into the hall through the glass walls.

A variety of seating options are available to employees for discussions and imprompt to get-togethers.

Attractive meeting points and work areas have been created throughout the building to encourage exchange and dialogue.

Attractive meeting points and work areas

Attractive meeting points and work areas have been created throughout the building to facilitate exchange and dialogue. Everything is state-of-the-art – both in terms of design and spatial planning – so that employees are comfortable and enjoy the best possible working conditions. From the high-quality materials used in the interior to the modern work and quiet zones and the large, green roof terrace with an open view over the region.

Heating and cooling centres with their control cabinets

State-of-the-art control technology guarantees efficient operation of the heating and cooling centres as well as optimum energy distribution.

A unique energy concept

Behind the scenes, a heating and cooling system with a very unique energy concept is at work. Reiner Weidmann, Head of Facility Management and authorised officer at Gerhard Schubert GmbH, accompanied the planning and construction from start to finish and confirms: “Since 1966, Schubert has been conquering new markets with major innovative leaps. We also demonstrate our pioneering spirit in our own company by venturing into unconventional, forward-looking technologies. This allows us to produce sustainably in the long term and, as a supplier, to meet the challenge of continuously reducing our carbon footprint.”

An employee at work at the ice storage facility.

The ice storage under the hall is one of the largest of its kind in the world, with a reservoir of 1.9 million litres of water.

The largest ice storage facility of its kind in the world

The ice storage facility under the hall is especially unique: It is the largest of its kind in the world, with a reservoir of 1.9 million litres of water – an amount roughly equivalent to a swimming pool measuring 24 metres long, 13 metres wide and 3.5 metres deep. Like all ice storage tanks, this one is a one-off whose volume has been precisely calculated so that it is functionally and economically optimised. The storage tank is designed with a view to the future so that even the neighbouring hall, which is currently heated with fossil fuels, can be connected to the system.

Ice storage as a key element

The functional principle is quite simple: When heat is extracted from water, it freezes into ice, generating additional energy. This energy is harnessed for the building's heating circuit via heat pumps – until all the water is frozen. For the cooling function, the block of ice is simply defrosted again in the summer with the help of added heat.All useful waste heat has also been integrated into the overall concept. At the heart of the system, state-of-the-art control technology guarantees efficient operation of the heating and cooling centres as well as optimum energy distribution. Furthermore, the photovoltaic system on the roof of the new final assembly hall and a neighbouring hall provides more than one megawatt of self-generated electricity per year, which Schubert can use to cover a quarter of its requirements.

Gerald Schubert, Shareholder of the Schubert Group, is extremely pleased with the result: “With our Mission Blue Sustainability Initiative, we have set ourselves very ambitious environmental protection targets. We are delighted that we have now come a step closer to achieving them with these two energy-efficient new buildings.”

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