KOTTINGBRUNN, AUSTRIA (Jan. 12, 2 p.m. ET) — Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH is building a 17,220-square-foot addition at its Kottingbrunn headquarters factory, part of a total expansion of 32,290 square feet of production and warehouse areas there.
The reason: Strong demand for the large-tonnage MacroPower machines. MacroPower presses, first introduced in 2010, are available in clamping forces ranging from 500 to 1,100 tons. The expanded manufacturing space will enable Wittmann Battenfeld to make larger machines, a company spokeswoman said.
Wittmann Battenfeld officials said the Kottingbrunn factory ran at full capacity in 2011, and sales have been strong so far in 2012.
The new assembly hall should be completed by the end of September. In addition to the new construction, the Wittmann Battenfeld has already expanded its pre-assembly and warehouse capacity in Kottingbrunn by about 15,070 square feet, by remodeling existing buildings.
Because of the construction activity, the company is shifting its Competence Days event from its original time in spring of 2012 to a date in the fall, when the new hall will be completed.
Company officials did not disclose the amount of the investment.
