Liebherr expands crane facilities in Ehingen

Breaking ground on the new 54 hectare Liebherr crane facility in Ehingen. Photo: Liebherr

Manufacturer Liebherr is further expanding its wheeled mobile and crawler crane manufacturing facilities in the town of Ehingen, Germany.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark development of the new 54 hectare site near the original, now one million square metre, site opened in 1969. The new site acquired in June is adjacent to the crane service centre which opened in 2021.

New construction will include a customer centre with a dispatch wing. Previously rented logistics space will no longer be needed. Some employees will move from the main plant to the new one in Ehingen-Berg.

Bold move

It can be seen as a bold move in light of global economic challenges, uncertainty and increasing competition from Chinese manufacturers. Liebherr said the move reaffirms its long-term commitment to the Ehingen site.

Alexander Baumann, Lord Mayor of the town of Ehingen, commented, “The expansion is good for our town and its citizens. It is more than just another joint step – it is the basis for the future, for prosperity and prosperity in the interests of the people living here, an investment with foresight in our home region.”

Liebherr-Werk Ehingen (LWE) has more than 5,000 employees, making it the largest employer in the Alb-Donau district of Germany. “Especially for our employees, the expansion in the immediate vicinity of the main plant in Ehingen is a sign of appreciation, also in view of the successful past years. At the same time, we are investing today to be prepared for the challenges ahead. Therefore, the expansion, which we will declare as LWE-Süd in future, is an absolute commitment to the site, but of course also an obligation,” said Daniel Pitzer, LWE commercial director.

Sustainability will be an important factor in the new facility. “In line with our announcements, we are making sure that operations at the new site are as environmentally friendly as possible, which means, among other things, that fossil fuels will not be used. The vehicle fleet will be powered by electricity wherever possible and the buildings will be realised in accordance with current KfW standards,” explained Ulrich Heusel, LWE managing director for production.