Representatives of the project members involved took part in the symbolic act – in strict compliance with the current pandemic requirements. Among those taking part were project manager Matthias Schlottke and business unit manager Bettina Schotten from thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik, Peter Zarth, CFO at thyssenkrupp Schulte, accompanied by Mayor Thomas Eiskirch and Rouven Beeck, managing director of Bochum Wirtschaftsentwicklung, and investor Hans H. Sudhoff. The ceremonial highlight of the laying of the foundation stone was the sinking of a time capsule filled with personal wishes and instant photos, the front page of the daily newspaper and magnets.

"The new location offers us excellent opportunities to find specialized partners for individual applications in the field of magnet technology and to expand our service portfolio for our customers. We are very grateful to the city of Bochum for its committed and full support, which has made it possible for us to locate here in the first place," says project manager Matthias Schlottke of thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik.

"We are delighted to have created a forward-looking perspective for our internationally successful business unit. It once again underlines the importance of thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik within the thyssenkrupp Schulte Group," reports Peter Zarth, CFO of thyssenkrupp Schulte.

"For Bochum, the establishment of thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik is a further success in strengthening our city’s reputation as a modern technology location. I am particularly pleased that we have also been able to make an offer to an internationally active company to settle in Bochum," said Mayor Thomas Eiskirch at the laying of the foundation stone.

"The investment has been designed for the long term from the outset due to the shortage of commercial space in the Ruhr region. In addition, with the long-established company thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik we have found a tenant with great potential for the future," says investor Hans H. Sudhoff.

Efficient new building with sustainable concept

The new location with a total area of more than 2,000 m², including approximately 1,300 m² of warehouse space and almost 800 m² of office space, will be built in accordance with the energy-saving standard "Effizienzhaus 40". Attached to the building is a state-of-the-art measuring and testing laboratory for quality assurance of the magnets and magnet systems. With the help of a wide range of environmentally friendly measures, great importance is attached to the issue of sustainability. For example, the roof of the administration building is designed as a climate-positive green roof on an area of approximately 250 m². The installation of a photovoltaic system is also planned to ensure almost complete self-sufficiency in electricity. The sustainable aspect will be supplemented in the parking lot by eight charging stations for e-cars. Last but not least, a green area behind the hall building will serve as a place for employees to take their lunch breaks and an outdoor work area. The modern workplace concept continues inside the administration building, with open-space as well as co-working solutions. The planned move from thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik’s current Essen headquarters will take place in stages between June and October 2022.

thyssenkrupp Magnettechnik has been an expert in magnetic materials, systems and components for over 100 years. The company has extensive experience and knowledge and offers tailored solutions for complex applications. The wide product range of permanent and holding magnets, filter and lifting magnets, and measuring devices is used in elevator and drive technology, for example in electric motors, and in sensor technology. Both small companies and major international corporations are served. The magnet specialists are a business unit of thyssenkrupp Schulte GmbH – the biggest materials distribution and service provider for steel, stainless steel and nonferrous metals in Germany.