Bomag breaks ground on compaction drum factory

Bomag has broken ground on a new, 12,600 m² compaction drum manufacturing factory at its headquarters in Boppard, Germany. At €21.5 million, it represents the largest single investment in the company's history.

Construction of the new factory - which is an extension of Bomag's main manufacturing facilities in Boppard - is scheduled to start in July, with production planned to begin in the summer of 2013. Bomag manufactures and distributes road building equipment around the world and said the new facility would double its compaction drum production capacity.

The state-of-the-art factory will feature increased automation such as robots and driverless transport systems, as well as energy-saving technology, including heat recovery systems.

Bomag also highlighted that, while its current production sites are separated from each other, the new factory will be under one roof. Materials will be stored close to assembly points, reducing the need for forklifts.

But Bomag said that while the increasing automation would take pressure off staff, it would not lead to any loss of jobs. It said the new extension would employ 160 staff - almost double the current number at the Boppard site.