Wacker Neuson expands production site

German compact equipment manufacturer Wacker Neuson has started work on expanding its light equipment production site in Reichertshofen, southern Germany.

The company will be investing around €10 million (US$11.4 million) in a new research and development (R&D) centre.

The start of the work was officilally marked with a silver spade ceremony last week (pictured), and the first employees will move into the building before the end of 2016.

In the next 12 months, R&D, product management and materials management will be relocating to the production facility, 65km (39 miles) from Munich, where the company has made vibratory plates since 1998.

“Moving all technical operations for light equipment to the same site will improve processes, shorten workflows and boost productivity even further,” said Helmut Bauer, managing director of Wacker Neuson Produktion.

Wacker Neuson currently employs around 330 employees at Reichertshofen site, which will rise to 450 when the expansion is complete.

Vibratory plates, various rammers, internal vibrators and inverters, angle grinders, floor saws and breakers will all be developed and manufactured at the site.