Siemens manufactures highly sensitive insulating parts for large transformers made of cellulose materials in the traditional mining town of Zwönitz.
As part of a production expansion, a new hall with approx. 1,600 m² of floor space was built in 2015-2017, which iproplan® supported as general planner for work phases 3 to 9.
Despite high and increasing demand on the global market, this division at Siemens found itself in an acute crisis due to price pressure from competitors. Very concrete plans were made with the options of a sale and also the closure of the entire site in Zwönitz.
A very impressive alliance of Siemens management in Zwönitz, the works council in Zwönitz, the works council in the Group and various partners in Group management sought concepts to preserve the site.
One such concept took shape in April 2023. It envisaged maintaining insulator production in Zwönitz, but reducing the volume and focusing even more on special solutions. In addition, a completely new product line for Zwönitz was to be established in Zwönitz. To this end, the Siemens Energy Group planned to relocate a production line from Siemens Energy in Weiz Austria to Zwönitz. This production line manufactures metal components for large transformers in metalworking processes using a large machine.
In April 2023, iproplan® carried out a feasibility study for the extensive structural changes. This was incorporated into the Siemens Energy Group's decision papers.
In July 2023, the concept for maintaining the Zwönitz site was finally approved. This stipulated, among other things, that all conversions and the relocation of the large machine from Austria to Zwönitz must be completed by the end of March and that production must start in Zwönitz at the beginning of April.
iproplan® took on the role of general planner and project manager for all construction measures in accordance with the feasibility study, including interface management for production. Siemens Energy immediately concluded contracts with all the necessary trades (steel and solid construction, crane construction, HVAC, electrical, BMS, windows/doors, etc.). The result was a powerful team of planners, consultants and contractors who were able to optimally combine their skills to achieve the set goals. Production started on schedule at the beginning of 04/2024.
The performance of the local Siemens managing director in Zwönitz deserves special mention. He is exceptionally committed and, with great respect and skill for each partner, was able to drive both his corporate management and the craftsmen from the contractors to top performance. In this context, the cooperation with iproplan® as general planner and project manager was also very effective and successful.
At the inauguration ceremony on 06.06.2024, the Group management in Zwönitz pointed out the uncomplicated and successful cross-border relocation of production from Austria to Zwönitz in the interests of everyone. This was combined with the hope that such processes will continue to be possible in Europe in such an uncomplicated manner.
