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Hartha. The Pierburg Pump Technology GmbHa subsidiary of the listed company Rheinmetall AGwants to position itself on the market in a broader and future-oriented way. To this end, the automotive supplier from Hartha is planning to invest 30.7 million euros.
The Saxon Ministry of Economic Affairs (SMWA) is contributing 7.66 million euros in funding. The grant is being provided with funds from the GRW (Joint Task for the Improvement of Regional Economic Structures) federal and state program.
During a tour of the production facility on Wednesday, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Thomas Kralinski handed over the grant to Christoph Müller, Head of the Power Systems Division at Rheinmetall AG and Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH.
"In a James Bond movie they say: I'm worth the money and every penny. You could apply that to Pierburg," says Kralinski with a grin. The company acts with foresight and masters the transformation to the electrification of entire living environments.
Pierburg is positioning itself more broadly and is also opening up new markets beyond the automotive sector with new technologies. The GRW funding supports this investment in rural areas and strengthens the traditional plant in the long term.
Hall expanded for new products
Pierburg is experiencing high competitive pressure, particularly in its current core business, the manufacture of water circulation pumps. The medium-sized company is feeling the "dent" in the automotive industry.
It therefore intends to tap into new markets such as pedelec drives, supercapacitors, hydrogen system components, domestic heat pumps and switch protection parts by 2027. The acquisition of corresponding machines, systems and assembly lines is planned. An existing and previously unfinished hall has also been expanded for the production of capacitors.
Thanks to their electrical properties and temperature resistance, the capacitors are superior to conventional technologies on the market. The "heart" of the product is formed by nano-layer units made of plastic and aluminum, which are also to be manufactured in Hartha in the future. The aim is to develop new technologies.
With the high-vacuum chemical process and a product with a coating thickness of one thousandth of a millimeter, Pierburg is entering uncharted territory. This is one of Rheinmetall's most important strategic projects in the civilian sector. "The funding helps us to set the course for the future, so that 'Hightech made in Hartha' is sustainable," says Müller.
200 million euros turnover per year
The investment and the funding from the Free State of Saxony is an important milestone for Pierburg's employees, explains Christoph Müller. 400 men and women work in various areas on a total area of 45,000 square meters in Hartha. Last year, they generated a turnover of around 200 million euros.
The company is also a successful training company. Three young people are currently learning the profession of mechatronics engineer. There are also five BA students from the fields of digital engineering, industrial production and mechanical engineering. In the fall, three more mechatronics apprentices and one BA student in transport economics/logistics will start their training.
The site in Hartha has been part of the Rheinmetall Group for more than 30 years. In 2022, the plant celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Rheinmetall subsidiary's areas of expertise include the development and production of innovative pumps and products for thermal management. The company aims to achieve CO2-neutral production by 2035.
Last year, Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH won the Ludwig Erhard Prize in silver, in 2022 in bronze. This "Excellence Prize" is awarded for top performance in the German economy.
