The Optronics Division of sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT will have a new production and administration site by 2025. The construction project is planned in Oberkochen (Baden-Württemberg), where HENSOLDT Optronics GmbH already has its headquarters. In addition to situational awareness systems such as SETAS and periscopes for armoured vehicles, approximately 800 employees also manufacture submarine periscopes and optical and laser systems for applications in space. In the coming years, HENSOLDT will invest a sum in the order of 100 million euros in a new location here.
With the new building, the HENSOLDT Group is not only responding to the steadily growing demand for high-performance military equipment for the German Armed Forces and the members of NATO, but also to the ever-increasing demand from manufacturers of lithography systems for the semiconductor industry, who purchase high-precision optronic measuring equipment from HENSOLDT Optronics.
“Our investment in the new Oberkochen site is directly related to our growth strategy. Russia’s war against Ukraine shows how important networked high-performance sensor technology and optical systems are for equipping our armed forces in line with the times,” says HENSOLDT CEO Thomas Müller. “If you add the neighbouring markets, such as Space or even the commercial business, our Optronics Division plays an important role alongside the other business units, which is reflected in the forward-looking Oberkochen site concept.” All work areas, from administration, research and development to assembly and integration areas will be synergistically stacked in the new location and interconnected due to the building structure. From 2025, approximately 850 employees will be able to enjoy an innovative working environment in a “high-tech campus”. Flexible expansion options for the building structure and internal design will allow for further growth in the long term.
With the help of the energy concept, a degree of self-sufficiency of around 72 percent will be achieved, the remainder being provided by regenerative and sustainably generated electricity. The total energy demand (heating, cooling, electricity) is covered by 72 percent from renewable sources. “With this advanced energy concept, we are aiming for sustainability certification from a renowned institute,” says Andreas Hülle, Head of the Optronics & Land Solutions Division and Managing Director of Optronics GmbH. In the long term, the entire electricity requirement is to be self-generated.
