GERMANY: Compressor manufacturer Bitzer is to spend around Euro30m on an expansion of its Schkeuditz factory. The investment will include new production lines, offices, warehousing, dispatch and new training workshops on a 16,000m2 plot of land adjacent to the existing factory.
The Schkeuditz facility, near Leipzig, was acquired from the former East German refrigeration compressor manufacturer MAB in 1991 and is now the base for the production of Bitzer's new Ecoline series of reciprocating compressors.

Alongside construction of the new buildings, the main factory in Schkeuditz is also being renovated to expand production and improve office and canteen space. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2016.

This latest investment takes Bitzer's investment in the site to Euro100m since acquiring the business. It now employs 700 people.

The new Ecoline compressors, which were launched at last year's Chillventa exhibition, are now available for a wide range of refrigerants including R404A, R407A, R407C, R407F, R507A and hydrocarbons in addition to R134a.