Investing € 50 million: Viessmann strengthens innovative power with new research and development center

Opening of the Viessmann Innovation Center attended by the German Chancellor and the Hessian Minister of Economics

German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel and Tarek Al-Wazir, Minister of Economics, Energy, Transportation and Regional Development of the state of Hesse, both attended the inauguration of the Viessmann Innovation Center (“Technikum”), the Viessmann Group`s new technological research and development center. The € 50 million investment by Viessmann, one of the leading international manufacturers of heating, industrial and refrigeration systems, is setting a milestone in interdisciplinary development and innovations.

New paths to a successful energy transition are necessary
“In the future, the Viessmann Innovation Center will be our breeding ground for innovations related to the energy transition and in the area of digitalization. It is where we are bundling development activities across the entire product engineering process – from the initial idea up to the start of production,” says Prof. Dr. Martin Viessmann. “At the same time, the new research and development center at our company`s headquarters is another clear commitment to our region.” 

The Viessmann Innovation Center is an interdisciplinary research and development center with 160 jobs: the 100 employees working constantly on site will be able to collaborate with up to 60 additional colleagues in various teams. They will develop prototypes and turn them into marketable products, as well as carry out admission and long-term tests. The innovation center is the biggest single investment in the hundred-year history of this family enterprise.

Innovation is going to remain a key competence in the future
During the opening ceremony at Viessmann headquarters, Chancellor Merkel highlighted the innovative power of this manufacturer of heating, industrial, and refrigeration systems. A quote from Chancellor Angela Merkel will be added after her speech.
Hessian Economics Minister Tarek Al-Wazir pointed out Viessmann`s role as a highly innovative company and an active partner in the energy transition. “As far as energy efficiency in the heating sector is concerned, Viessmann products are leading the way. What is more, the company is committed to energy efficiency in the production process and is actively involved as a cooperation partner of several universities. Viessmann represents and important economic factor for the state of Hesse. With the new innovation center, this location is once again strengthened.” 

Cross-divisional work on 11,000 square meters of floor space
“One key concern when we were designing the Viessmann Innovation Center was to include all departments that could contribute to the development process of successful and innovative products. Among others, this included Research and Development, Product Management, Quality Management, Production Engineering, and Series Production,” is how Dr. Klaus-Peter Kegel, CEO of Viessmann`s Heating Systems Division, explained the central idea of the innovation center.

The Viessmann Group is one of the leading international manufacturers of heating, industrial, and refrigeration systems. This family enterprise, founded in 1917, employs 12,000 people, and the group`s revenues amount to € 2.26 billion.
Viessmann cultivates an international orientation, as demonstrated by its 23 production companies in twelve countries, with sales companies and partners in 74 countries, as well as 120 sales offices around the world. Foreign countries account for 54 percent of sales.
The motto of the anniversary year is “100+ Into a New Century”. Hence, there will be a large number of events setting milestones and providing new ideas for the industry in 2017.