Jungheinrich starts production at Chomutov plant

Jungheinrich has started production at its new plant in Chomutov, Czechia. Following a construction period of around ten months, an ETV 216i reach truck became the first unit to roll off the production line on 6 June. Thanks to the new site, which has an area of around 37,000sqm, more than 350 new jobs will be created locally. The project budget is around 60 million euros.

For Jungheinrich, the new production plant represents a central component in order to reach the growth targets as part of Strategy 2025+ and to increase the company’s efficiency and profitability. Sabine Neuß, member of the board of management technics at Jungheinrich AG, says, “With the new plant, we are expanding the capacity within our production network in Europe and ensuring that the steadily growing demand for our material handling equipment can also be met in the future. In Chomutov, we have built one of the most modern production facilities for forklift trucks in the world. I am very proud of that and am delighted that production has now begun.”

The new plant is currently still operating in single-shift mode; in the medium-term, the plant will switch to three-shift operations to produce around the clock. Jungheinrich plans to gradually relocate the entire reach truck production to the plant in Chomutov. The relocation will free up additional capacity at the Norderstedt plant, which the company will use to also enable further growth there. At the Norderstedt plant, Jungheinrich will expand its production portfolio to include parts of other order pickers.

Jungheinrich has set itself the goal of creating value sustainably, and it has, therefore, also placed particular attention on efficiency and sustainability when designing the new plant. All of the plant’s equipment, from workplaces to complex manufacturing facilities, incorporates modern technology, such as a new production control system. In addition to the use of green electricity and the installation of a heat pump, a special thermal insulation in the office section ensures additional energy savings. Jungheinrich is reducing its water consumption by means of rainwater harvesting equipment. Furthermore, the plant is located on a 1.5 hectare green space with native bushes and trees and thus contributes to the promotion of local biodiversity.

The first reach truck from Chomutov will be shipped to Marie in France, one of the most important companies on the French market for ready-made meals and pasta. The ETV 216i is part of Jungheinrich’s POWERLiNE and includes an integrated lithium-ion battery.