Yale Dealer Appenfelder GmbH celebrated its 60th Anniversary with the official opening of brand new 12,000 m2 premises in Wiehl-Marienhagen, 40 km east of Cologne.
The purpose built offices workshop and warehouse is a significant investment for the company and is the result of the successful cooperation with Yale Europe over the last 11 years. The new facility demonstrates the confidence the company has in its ability to continue to develop and build its presence and deliver increased levels of customer service in the market and provide a secure future for its employees.
The new dealership has been built on a recently developed business park in Wiehl-Marienhagen and overlooks the main Cologne A 4 highway down in the valley from where the illuminated Appenfelder and Yale sign can clearly be seen.
The building design was developed with a significant input from employees of the company and the architects. The result is an unobstructed and open workshop of 971 m2, a warehouse of 1.264 m2 and modern offices situated on two floors of 978m2. “It was really amazing how quickly the project came together and the building was completed. It is evidence of the great teamwork we have within our organization”, said Geschaftsfuhrer, Gerlinde Appenfelder who is the second generation in the Appenfelder family owned business that also celebrated its 60th anniversary since the company was founded by Gerlinde’s father in a small building in Nümbrecht-Drinsahl.
He continues: “We started work on the design of the new facility in May 2011 and were able to move into these new facilities at the end of December. A great deal of credit in achieving this has to go to our local government for helping us during the planning and building process, a very good building team, strong business partners like Yale Europe and of course the support of all of our 110 employees. Through their commitment we were able to make this great step forward with very few obstacles.”
Best in class
The new offices, warehouse and workshop do not only look very modern and bright, they are extremely sophisticated and based on a highly effective and energy efficient heating system, reusing and recirculating the warmth that is produced in other parts of the building. The maximum amount of daylight has also been allowed to enter into the building particularly in the workshop and warehouse so that energy needed for artificial lighting is minimized and employees can work in a natural and motivating atmosphere.
“Appenfelder GmbH and sister company Sixt Foerdertechnik GmbH & Co. KG in Bergheim belong to the ‘Best in Class’ dealers we have in Europe”, Ralf Mock, Managing Director, NACCO Materials Handling Group, Europe, Middle East and Africa stated in a short speech. “Opening a new building like this gives a clear signal to the market that Appenfelder has a strong belief in the future and the brands they represent. With the investment that both of our companies are making in new facilities and increasing Brand recognition of Yale in Germany the outlook is indeed bright”
Outstanding service
Appenfelder GmbH and Sixt Foerdertechnik GmbH & Co. KG have been exclusive Yale dealers since 2001 and are part of the 18 Yale independent dealer network in Germany. Today they are complete materials handling and transport solution providers rather than lift truck, working platform and cleaning machine Sales and Service Companies. Gerlinde Appenfelder summed up her company philosophy, “It’s all about service and providing customers with the best possible care, the best solutions to their needs and value for money”. “With this great new facility we are sure that we will be even better placed to fulfill and exceed our customer’s expectations and realize our mission more effectively than before.”