The new production area at MANN+HUMMEL in Sonneberg, Germany should be complete by the first quarter of 2012. MANN+HUMMEL is extending an existing production hall by approximately 1,100 square metres and constructing new site facilities, including changing rooms and showers, over 1,100 square metres for around 400 production workers for approximately 3.5 million Euros.

– “We have won a new order for intake manifolds” – explained Plant Manager Stefanie Spanagel – “Serial production for a major customer will begin next year. For this, we needed more room. By extending the whole production area, we are also creating better working conditions” – said Spanagel. The total investment for the site will be around 7.2 million Euros in 2011.

For the MANN+HUMMEL Group, the plant is a jewel in the crown. Over the past seven years and within the same production area, sales at the Sonneberg site have doubled.

– “In Sonneberg, we manufacture complex functional parts made of plastic for the automotive industry. Our main product is the intake manifold, and for this, we play a leading role within the Company” – said Spanagel.

The Sonneberg plant has been running at full capacity since 2010. Around 60 people will move into the extension. All production workers will benefit from the more spacious production environment. Further building is planned over the coming years.