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Panattoni commenced construction of Jungheinrich forklift production plant near Chomutov

Industrial developer Panattoni, in cooperation with investment group RSJ, has ceremoniously started construction of a production hall for Jungheinrich, a leading global supplier of material handling equipment. The 37,000 sqm building will be part of the Panattoni Park Chomutov North industrial zone and will bring over 350 skilled jobs in the manufacturing sector to the people of the Chomutov region. The investment in the building and modern technologies alone exceeds CZK 1.5 billion (60 000 EUR) and is one of the largest in the region. The building will be completed in spring 2023 and Jungheinrich expects to start production there in mid-2023. The project is also taking into account the surrounding area near the zone and involves investing in extensive biodiversity measures.

“With our new plant, we are expanding capacities within our production network in Europe. This way we ensure at an early stage that we will be able to meet the increasingly high and growing demand for Jungheinrich material handling equipment in the future. We are building one of the world's most modern manufacturing facilities for forklift trucks in Chomutov, taking our production to the next level,“ says Sabine Neuß, Member of the Board of Management Technics at Jungheinrich AG.

“One of the biggest challenges for the Czech Republic under the Green Deal for Europe is the economic restructuring of regions that will be forced to shift to a different type of industry. One of these is the Chomutov region, which is strongly linked to coal mining. Our company is aware of this major challenge and we are therefore pleased to be able to contribute to its solution. The state-of-the-art plant will help revitalise the regional economy and meet the most stringent requirements for sustainable development. The fact that this is a final product manufacturing facility also adds value to the whole project,“ says Klára Sobotková, Regional Development Director, Panattoni.

“I wish the Panattoni development company a smooth course of construction so that next year it can be completed with a successful approval and people from the Chomutov region can look forward to new employment with a prosperous employer with a long tradition. I wish Jungheinrich to prosper in the new production plant and I wish the people of Chomutov to enjoy working in the new location and to be proud of where they work. Satisfied employees are the alpha and omega of a successful company,“ says Marek Hrabáč, Mayor of Chomutov.

Panattoni Park Chomutov North aspires to an “Excellent“ rating under BREEAM certification. Compared to the original plan, the building will have a stronger roof to allow for the installation of photovoltaic panels, which will contribute significantly to the generation of energy for the entire industrial zone. The project also counts with thicker insulation and external blinds that will help saving energy costs better. The complex also declares its bet on sustainability by installing charging stations for electric vehicles.

However, the project near Chomutov also stands out for its extensive investment in promoting biodiversity around the industrial zone. A 1.5-hectare planting area, consisting of tree and shrub species, with an emphasis on native species, will serve as a replacement for the removed coppice. The area will remain unfenced and will naturally follow the revitalisation of the adjacent riparian vegetation. Ponds will be excavated in appropriate locations to increase local species diversity. Additional measures include grassland or bird boxes.

As one of the world’s leading providers of intralogistics solutions, Jungheinrich has been advancing the development of innovative and sustainable products and solutions for material flows for 70 years. As a pioneer in the sector, the Hamburg-based family business is committed to creating the warehouse of the future. In 2021, Jungheinrich and its workforce of over 19,000 employees generated revenue of €4.24 billion. The global network covers 13 production plants and 41 service and sales companies. The share is listed on the MDAX.