HA Builds on the Future of the Foundry Industry
Stefan Weil, Minister-President of Germany’s state of Lower Saxony, and Dr. Carsten Kuhlgatz, CEO of Hüttenes-Albertus Chemische Werke GmbH, broke ground on a new research and development laboratory in Hanover on 22 August 2016. HA has invested 8.5 million euros in the new project, which will expand ac-tivities at the company’s Hanover site.
With its new laboratory, offering up to 50 highly-qualified jobs, the foundry supplier is concentrating its German research and development activities in Lower Saxony’s state capital. Dr. C. Kuhlgatz explained his company’s strategic decision thus: “Research and development are key factors for the future of our industry. They help us to better meet our customers’ requirements and to increase our competitiveness even further.”
Leveraging creative potential
Until now, Hüttenes-Albertus has conducted development activities at its Düsseldorf site. By merging research and development in Hanover, expertise can be pooled and the potential for innovation can be optimally exploited. “Many developments in the foundry industry have their beginnings in Germany,” said Dr. Michael Arndt-Rosenau, Vice President of Research and Development at HA. “So it is only natural that we base the core of our global research and development here, in the heart of the most techno-logically demanding foundry market. We want to develop new technologies and solu-tions for our customers that are in line with their needs.” The company has a global workforce of 130 employees in research and development.
Decision speaks for the business region
The investment is an important signal for the Minister-President of Lower Saxony, Stef-an Weil. “This shows that Lower Saxony continues to be very attractive location for business. A company like Hüttenes-Albertus, that researches and drives advancements in the foundry industry, strengthens our automotive industry and other key industries in our region. Companies such as Hüttenes-Albertus with their innovative technologies contribute to making our cars lighter, more economical and friendlier to the environ-ment.”
Attractive jobs for highly-qualified workers
The new building will occupy a site of more than 2,500 square metres. It will contain cut-ting-edge laboratories, a technical centre, offices and social spaces. The research and development laboratory is a further step for Hüttenes-Albertus in securing the compa-ny’s future. “We will only be successful in competing for the best minds when we man-age to attract highly-qualified employees and to offer attractive workplaces,” said CEO Kuhlgatz. This is why the company has been involved with IdeenExpo and the Zukun-ftINC network for many years. “We also maintain close relationships with the universi-ties in the region,” said Kuhlgatz.
The company currently has 480 employees in Germany at six locations, 220 of which at the production site Hanover. Almost 2,000 committed employees in more than 30 countries contribute to the success of the HA-Group.
×
