Cutting-edge investment: GEZE has a new development centre

The opening of the new, state-of-the-art development centre was celebrated today, attended by Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, the Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing in Baden-Württemberg; Bernhard Schuler, the Lord Mayor of Leonberg; and the corporate management of GEZE. The investment is a further commitment on the part of the specialist in door, window and safety technology as well as building automation to its head office in Leonberg and to the quality standard 'made in Germany'. A total of 28.8 million euro has been invested here over the past five months. An additional 15 million euro is earmarked for the new GEZE Academy.

No shortage of space in ‘intelligent’ buildings

Control of the complete building technology in the ‘Smart Building’. Photo: Jürgen Pollak for GEZE GmbH

Control of the complete building technology in the ‘Smart Building’.

The four-story terrace construction, which provides a total surface area of 2,300 square metres for test and validation rooms, office space, conference and meeting areas and a creative space, gives GEZE the platform it needs to expand its portfolio of services with innovative, networked system solutions for doors and windows in 'intelligent' buildings. The new development centre looks far into the future. GEZE provides the infrastructure and optimal working conditions to further expand its powers of innovation and to offer premium quality system solutions to manage complete building technology in 'Smart Buildings' of the future.

GEZE GmbH is not just a model company for Baden-Württemberg. Rather, it is a successful global organisation that is expanding internationally, and at the same time strengthening its roots and its plant in Germany with targeted investments. This again underlines the great contribution that traditional family businesses such as GEZE make to the German economy as a whole.

Dr Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, Minister of Economic Affairs, Labour and Housing in Baden-Württemberg

Exceptionally smart: The new development centre is itself a 'Smart Building'

Clearly, the new development centre is itself a Smart Building. All the product groups are intelligently networked and integrated into the building management system. Heating, ventilation, light, shading, doors and windows communicate with each other, and interact optimally. Of course, all the automation and safety functions on the doors and windows were achieved with GEZE products, including the complete smoke and heat extraction system. As a result, the new development building will serve not just as a laboratory, but also as a 'Test and Learning Centre'. The insights gained are used to continually further develop the 'intelligence' of GEZE products, and offer customers worldwide optimal solutions.

‘We are proud of our new, innovative building, which will open up completely new opportunities for our development department. Our aim is to offer our customers and partners worldwide high-quality product and networking solutions that align perfectly with their demands.

Brigitte Vöster-Alber, Chief Executive Officer of GEZE GmbH

Further investment in nature conservation: GEZE is helping to stop bees from dying

The new biotope protects insects and plant species. Photo: GEZE GmbH

The new biotope protects insects and plant species.

As well as investing in innovation and the new build, GEZE GmbH is also lending considerable support to environmental conservation and sustainability. An entire biotope has been newly integrated into the building's outside space. The facility provides a new habitat for bees, insects and plants threatened with extinction. At the heart of the site are bee and insect hotels as well as unusual trees and shrubs that create a perfect ecosystem. The idea originated from the GEZE training workshop. It was here, a few years ago, that a Christmas gift was designed and made – the first insect hotel – for GEZE's CEO Brigitte Vöster-Alber. This basic idea has now been expanded, and with the help of the apprentices and a Leonberg-based company, developed to create a 'local recreation area' for people and animals. As such, GEZE is playing an active part in counteracting the threat of bee deaths, and the associated consequences. A walkway, including a newly created pond, is also designed to allow all employees to enjoy relaxing breaks in the fresh air.

"Sustainability and environmental conservation have always been important to GEZE – both in our production as well as in all areas of our daily working life. With the newly designed outside space, we are delighted to take the opportunity to make a further contribution to environmental conservation, and provide bees threatened with extinction with a new habitat," says Brigitte Vöster-Alber.