Groundbreaking ceremony of the ZF plant in Ahrweiler

With the groundbreaking ceremony for the new plant in Niederzissen (Germany), ZF is keeping the promise made by the technology group after the Ahr Valley flood in 2021. In the first half of 2026, ZF will relocate production from the flood-prone plant in Ahrweiler to the nearby Brohltal-Ost/A 61 industrial area near Niederzissen. During the flood disaster in 2021, the ZF plant in Ahrweiler was severely damaged. Thanks to the commitment of the employees and the support of European plants, it was possible to prevent a short-term loss of customer supplies and subsequently to rebuild production. However, due to the continuing flood risk for employees and production there, ZF had decided to relocate its Ahrweiler operations within the region. "At that time, we promised to preserve jobs in Rhineland-Palatinate. We are keeping this promise with the new building in Niederzissen," says Dr. Peter Holdmann, member of the Board of Management of ZF. "Here we can offer our employees a promising future at the site in Germany and our customers a sustainably reliable supply of technologically sophisticated products."

The site was selected together with the works council and in close exchange with political representatives. "The groundbreaking ceremony for ZF's new plant in Niederzissen is another important milestone for the economic reconstruction of the Ahr Valley. The state government has campaigned for the reconstruction of the plant, and we are pleased that the company continues to place its trust in the Ahr Valley," emphasized Andy Becht, State Secretary for Economic Affairs. "Companies are important for the stability of the regions. They bring added value and secure local employment. With its new plant, ZF is thus assuming responsibility for the region, for which I would like to thank you on behalf of the entire government of Rhineland-Palatinate."

The project developer is Panattoni, the European market leader in the development of industrial, logistics, and commercial real estate. "A production facility is being built here on 13,000 square meters that not only meets the latest industry standards but was also designed with sustainability and associated future viability in mind," said Stefan Bohn, Managing Director Germany at Panattoni. "Thanks to state-of-the-art heat pump technology, we can completely dispense with the use of fossil fuels. We equip the roof area with a PV system. In addition, we are planning to reuse greywater."

In the future, production will take place in a 6,000-square meter production hall. The technologically sophisticated valves for innovative damping technology are manufactured on four production lines. There will also be an assembly line for piston rods and a technical center for production-related testing and analysis. The future logistics hall covers 4,000 square meters. Here, all processes are to be as automated and digitized as possible. The workshop and administration will be set up in an area of around 3,000 square meters.

On Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, the groundbreaking ceremony was held by State Secretary Andy Becht (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Agriculture, and Viticulture of Rhineland-Palatinate), Cornelia Weigand (District Administrator of the Ahrweiler district), Dr. Peter Holdmann (Member of the Board of Management of ZF), Stefan Bohn (Managing Director Germany of Panattoni), and Johannes Bell (Mayor of the Brohltal Municipality and Chairman of the Brohltal Ost/A 61 Industrial Area Association). The plant in Ahrweiler currently employs around 230 people. The relocation of production is planned for the first half of 2026.