Lufthansa Technik opens new wheels and brakes workshop at Frankfurt East

Investment of just under 60 million euros Around 200 cutting-edge workplaces Focus on strong growth for the future

A grand ceremony took place in the presence of Hesse's Minister for Finance, Dr. Thomas Schäfer, today to mark the opening of the new wheels and brakes workshop by Lufthansa Technik AG at the Frankfurt East Harbor location.

Taking just two years to construct, a total of around 60 million euros was invested in the state-of-the-art industrial facility with its some 200 workplaces at present. All signs are clearly pointing to growth for the future.

An ultra-modern industrial facility with a gross floor area of 14,500 Sq m was built on the 35,000 Sq m plot. Thanks to optimized processes, tailored logistics and state-of-the-art plant equipment, the new site enables the cost-effective supply of wheels and brakes for flight operations for Lufthansa and numerous other European customers. And while business with low-cost carriers is already strong, this new site opens up opportunities for even further growth in this area.

Some 27,000 wheels and 5,000 brakes were repaired in the old workshop on the airport site in 2016 - way more than the original maximum capacity of the facility, which was designed originally for 15,000 wheels and 2,500 brakes annually. The new production now allows growth to 32,000 or 6,000 units per year.

"I am delighted with this remarkable commitment by Lufthansa Technik to the Frankfurt location," says Dr. Thomas Schäfer, Minister for Finance in the State of Hesse. "From Lufthansa's perspective, the workshop will offer the latest standards in environmental protection and energy efficiency. With its cutting-edge production logistics, the facility is a further indication that Industry 4.0 is not just a vision in Hesse but already a reality."

"Lufthansa and Frankfurt are a well-established team. We want to continue growing in Frankfurt. This investment is therefore an important foundation for ensuring the supply of our fleet," says Klaus Froese, Chief Executive Officer of Lufthansa German Airlines Hub Frankfurt.

"We are very deliberately developing this new facility here in the heart of Germany," says Dr. Thomas Stüger, Executive Board Member Technical Operations, Logistics & IT at Lufthansa Technik AG. "When the right conditions are in place, it is possible to work not only efficiently but also economically even in a high-wage economy thanks to the latest production techniques and the unique experience of our staff. We are very proud to have accomplished this objective incollaboration with all partners involved."

"I would like to thank all the trades, partners and colleagues forthe excellent cooperation in implementing this ambitious project,"says Frank Zimmermann, Head of Project Management of LufthansaTechnik's new wheels and brakes workshop. "We set ourselves ambitious targets and have brought these to fruition today on time and within budget." The new facility exceeds the requirements stipulated in the Energy Savings Ordinance by more than 30 percent. A separate combined heat and power plant, for example, was constructed for this purpose. Even the waste heat from the machines will therefore be used
intelligently for air conditioning the building.

Considerable effort is invested in the maintenance of aircraft wheels and brakes owing to their importance for the safety of flight operations. Lufthansa Technik takes care of all the necessary work - from wheel or brake changes to small repairs or complete overhauls of a wheel or brake. Every wheel or brake passes through numerous stations until finally, after a thorough check in accordance with internationally applicable aviation laws, it is approved in the final inspection.