Topcon Positioning Systems will build a new manufacturing facility in Geisenheim, Germany, near Frankfurt, for the company's Topcon Electronics operation. A groundbreaking ceremony took place on April 16. The ceremony coincided with the production milestone of the one-millionth product to come off the line at the company's current Geisenheim facility, where in-cab displays are made for Topcon's agriculture and construction solutions portfolios.
The new facility represents a substantial investment by Topcon, signalling the company's dedication to expanding manufacturing capabilities and strengthening its presence in Europe. Unlike the existing location, this facility will be owned by Topcon, allowing for increased production capacities to triple the number of units produced annually. The new facility consolidates all operational buildings under one roof, expanding the footprint to approximately 8,300 square meters (90,000 square feet).
"The current operation is one of the company's highest-rated manufacturing facilities, with ISO 14001 and ISO 45001, as well as an IATF automotive certification. The testing lab has become a standard for us worldwide," said Mathias Kühn, senior vice president of global operations at Topcon. "The dedicated manufacturing of operator consoles for heavy machinery is a world-class example of success based on a strong core competency. The new facility is designed to support enhanced manufacturing automation, which is key to accelerating production and growth."
An integral aspect of the new building is its sustainability features. The new facility is designed with sustainability practices, including the use of solar panels, greywater drainage systems, the installation of electric vehicle charging points, and the implementation of nature-based solutions for ventilation and drainage.
"Sustainability is an important part of the architecture for the new building," said Simone Dolderer-Heinitz, with Ries+Ries Architekten Ingenieure GmbH, the architect on the project. "We use new technologies in our engineering that allow us to completely dispense with heating fuel. For example, the heating and cooling supply is provided by two hot air pumps and photovoltaics on the roof, which are used to partly supply our own electricity. We have green roofs that retain and disperse the rainwater."
