“We have created a modern infrastructure”: Michael Kristeller on the new Rosenbauer “Welcome Center”

After two and a half years of construction, the new “Welcome Center” of Rosenbauer Karlsruhe was officially opened on June 11, 2024, as reported by Rosenbauer.

The facility, which includes a delivery hall and administration building, was built with an investment of 1.2 million euros.

The ten-metre-high hall is designed for vehicle handovers, training, and courses on up to four lanes simultaneously, regardless of weather conditions.

The “Welcome Center” also features a state-of-the-art training center and office spaces based on “new work” concepts.

This development follows previous investments in a digitalized production plant for aerial rescue devices and an innovative paint shop, totalling millions of euros over the past few years.

Commitment to Karlsruhe

Sebastian Wolf, CEO of Rosenbauer International, highlighted the strategic importance of Karlsruhe for the company: “With a share of around 14% of Group revenues, high-quality aerial rescue vehicles are a strategically important segment for our company. Demand is high.

“In Germany only, we were able to win orders for exactly 100 new vehicles in 2023.”

Wolf added that this investment further enhances Karlsruhe as a competence center for aerial rescue vehicles and signifies the company’s commitment to the location’s hundred-year history.

Michael Kristeller, Managing Director of Rosenbauer Karlsruhe, stated: “As the world market leader, we stand for products and vehicles of the highest quality and state-of-the-art technology.

“With the new ‘Welcome Center’, we have created a modern infrastructure that fulfills this customer promise in vehicle handovers, training, and courses and elevating them to a new level.”

Modern infrastructure for enhanced training

The new ten-metre-high delivery hall allows for the demonstration of multiple vehicles simultaneously, irrespective of the weather.

Kristeller explained: “Here we can show what our vehicles can do in a suitable environment – in dry conditions, at pleasant temperatures and on up to four lanes at the same time.”

The “Welcome Center” consolidates all customer-facing departments, including Development and Design, Purchasing, Sales, Sales Support, Helpdesk, Service Center, and a modern training center with three training rooms that can be combined if necessary.

Promoting communication through “new work” concepts

The “Welcome Center” was constructed on the site of the old administration building at Carl-Metz-Strasse 9.

The new office spaces, located atop the delivery hall, were designed following “new work” concepts to promote communication and ensure a pleasant working atmosphere.

Michael Kristeller emphasized the importance of the new office environment: “We need the best employees to develop and build the best aerial rescue vehicles.

“And we have also created the best working conditions for them.”

The facilities include work cafés, communication islands, a roof garden, and a picnic area.

Sustainable energy use

The “Welcome Center” building was designed with sustainability in mind, featuring a robust, energy-saving construction.

Heating is provided by a district heating connection, and a significant portion of the electricity requirement is met by a 71 kWP photovoltaic system on the roof, eliminating the need for fossil fuels in ongoing operations.

High-tech production at Karlsruhe

Since Rosenbauer’s acquisition of Metz in 1998, the Karlsruhe site has focused on high-tech aerial rescue devices.

The site has set benchmarks with its fully automatic hydraulic turntable ladders and aerial rescue platforms, which have a rescue height of up to 64 meters.

Rosenbauer employs around 500 highly trained staff at the site, producing approximately 200 new high-tech turntable ladders and aerial rescue platforms annually for global distribution.