Siemens additional investment on Frankfurt switch gear plant

Siemens Smart Infrastructure is enhancing its Frankfurt operations with significant new investments. Coinciding with the inauguration of a new high-speed warehouse and expanded production area at its switchgear plant in Frankfurt-Fechenheim, Siemens announced the acquisition of a 3.5-hectare site with existing buildings in Frankfurt’s Ostend district. This additional site will provide Siemens with the necessary capacity to support a secure energy transition. Production in the new buildings is slated to begin in early 2025. Located just a kilometer from the existing switchgear plant on Carl-Benz-Straße, the new property on Daimlerstraße features 13,000 square meters of production halls and additional office space, with convenient rail and port access. The transaction was facilitated by Siemens Real Estate in collaboration with the Frankfurt Economic Development Agency, integrating both facilities into a cohesive unit.

The acquisition will boost Siemens’ capacity to produce its SF6-free 8DAB – blue GIS medium-voltage switchgear at the new site. This innovative gas-insulated switchgear, used in transformer and switching stations, employs the climate-neutral Clean Air insulating medium, which consists solely of natural components from the ambient air. This move underscores Siemens’ commitment to eliminating sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) and advancing sustainable medium-voltage switchgear production. By focusing on carbon emission reduction technologies, Siemens aims to develop sustainable grids for future generations. Mark Backhaus, Site Manager of the Siemens switchgear plant in Frankfurt, highlighted the significance of this expansion as an investment in climate-neutral power distribution and the future of the facility, which has been a global competence center for gas-insulated medium-voltage switchgear for 40 years.

The new plant buildings will also be designed with sustainability in mind. The acquired buildings on Daimlerstraße have already received the DGNB Gold sustainability certification. Stephan May, CEO of Electrification & Automation at Siemens Smart Infrastructure, emphasized that this additional investment aligns with Siemens’ strategy of achieving a carbon-neutral supply chain. This objective is integrated into Siemens’ daily business operations and investment decisions, reflecting the company’s commitment to sustainability and the increasing digitalization and automation of its sites.

Since its establishment 40 years ago, the Frankfurt switchgear plant has been pivotal in driving the electrification of infrastructure and supporting business and industrial growth. The latest expansion continues this legacy, contributing to a secure energy transformation through Siemens’ innovative technologies. Stephanie Wüst, Head of Economic Affairs at the City of Frankfurt, praised Siemens for its role in transforming Frankfurt’s Ostend district into a thriving industrial and commercial area, noting the progress and value Siemens has brought to the region since the groundbreaking ceremony in March 2023.