Krone invests in Werlte site

Industrialisation, digitalisation and service in the spotlight

Werlte, November 2016 – The Krone Commercial Vehicle Group plans to construct an ultra-modern coating plant in Werlte. Krone intends to construct the factory, with a footprint of around 16,000 m2, at the site in Bernard-Krone-Straße. The factory, which is up to 16 m high in parts and measures 120 m x 130 m, will house what is known as the Surfaces Centre, complete with integrated, and fully-automatic chassis storage. “The new coating plant will upgrade the Werlte site to the most technically-advanced industrial facilities currently possible,” says Bernard Krone. In addition, Krone will further optimise and automate the currently used CDC plus powder coating method (cathodic dip coating followed by powder coating) in a new plant. The new coating plant will specifically address the latest environmental considerations, and will result in a reduction of emissions at the site. For example, emissions from the new annealing ovens will be treated by thermal post-processing in such a manner that a very significant reduction in odour emissions and energy use will be achieved. This enables Krone to make a vital contribution to reducing CO2. Waste water treatment will also be in accordance with the latest findings. KRONE is planning investments of 35 to 40 million euros for the completely new Surfaces Centre. The new coating plant is part of the master plan for the Werlte site, for which KRONE has earmarked a total investment of around 50 million euros. The new Krone Used building and workshop, on which construction work has already been completed, also forms part of the master plan. Improved logistics and lower noise emissions from traffic In addition, Krone intends to construct a new access road to the factory, which will direct factory traffic flow via Kasernenstraße. This will permanently relieve the traffic load in Bernard-Krone-Straße as well as significantly reduce noise emissions. Dispatch is also to be relocated, and will be provided with direct vehicle access to the ring road. The various receiving areas at the Werlte site will also be completely redesigned. A new, modern assembly line with a higher degree of automation is also planned for future generations of vehicles. The master plan, with the working title “Progress 2020”, is to be implemented by the end of 2020 and will enable Krone to expand and safeguard the Werlte production site for the long term.