The Follmann Chemie Group is investing in a modern technology and knowledge centre at its company site in Minden, Westphalia. The foundation stone was laid on 9 October 2020 - in a small group due to the current situation and the associated distancing and hygiene rules. In addition to the management and some employees of the Follmann Chemie Group, representatives from politics as well as the responsible architectural firm Dälken (Georgsmarienhütte) and the construction company Hartmann (Minden) were present.
A modern, multifunctional training centre and event centre will be built on a total of 12,000 square metres by the end of 2021, where customer training and information events for visitor groups and employee events will take place. The two-storey entrance building is accessible via the central foyer for both visitor groups and employees of the Follmann Chemie Group. A staircase leads up to a gallery with meeting rooms. This part of the building also houses a large auditorium with an adjoining catering area that can accommodate over 140 people.
Space for practical training
The neighbouring single-storey building is connected to the entrance building and provides space for theoretical and practical training for customers as well as for the application technology of the two companies Follmann and Triflex. In future, product tests and customer trials of adhesives and water-based printing inks on wood, paper and film as well as of construction chemical sealing products and marking products will be carried out here.
A roof garden with a football pitch is also planned above the training building, where employees will be able to take part in sporting activities as part of the Follmann Chemie Group's company health management programme. A great deal of importance is also attached to sustainability in the building. A photovoltaic system generates the necessary electricity and the building materials have been selected accordingly.
Partnership-based solutions
The company is investing around 15 million euros in the attractive complex: ‘Working in partnership with our customers, service providers and suppliers is very important to us,’ emphasises Dr Henrik Follmann, Managing Partner of the Follmann Chemie Group. ‘The new Technology and Knowledge Centre clearly demonstrates the solutions we are working on together and also offers many opportunities for information and further training.’
The construction of the Technology and Knowledge Centre is also a further milestone in the Follmann Chemie Group's expansion at the Minden site: The last construction project - the expansion of construction chemicals production for Triflex - started in April 2016 and commenced operations in 2018.
