16 / 2019 KraussMaffei CEO Dr. Frank Stieler: Chance of a century in Parsdorf - VGP
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KraussMaffei CEO
Dr. Frank Stieler:
Chance of a century
in Parsdorf
16 / 2019
Building
Dear readers
“He who dares not, must hope not.”
These words come not from me
We will gradually incorporate the
experience gained from these two
03 Editorial
but from the greater German poet projects into future new construction
Friedrich Schiller. In my opinion,
they perfectly express how we at
projects. At the same time, from 1 Jan-
uary 2020, the VGP Group will have
04
VGP think long term, deal with all new buildings to be constructed News
challenges and seize attractive certified with the industry-leading
opportunities for our customers. and renowned BREEAM certificate for
06
tomorrow
For me, the current issue of VGP Lo- compliance with sustainability stand- Business
cation³ is a very special one because, ards along the entire value chain.
among other things, we present two But sustainability will not be the The opportunity of the
exciting projects in Germany upon only focus for our company. In order century for KraussMaffei
which VGP has worked intensively to master the exciting and interest-
over the past few years, and where we ing challenges of the coming years,
took a chance along the way: Munich
and Laatzen.
we have further strengthened our
Board with extensive external exper-
08 Projekt
On 12 December 2013, we acquired tise. In this issue, I am particularly VGP Park Laatzen
our first property in Bavaria. On pleased to present our three new VGP
18 July 2019 – almost six years later – Board members elected in May 2019:
09
today
we were able to announce the actual Katherina Reiche, Vera Gäde-Butzlaff Exkursion
start of the project at a press confer- and Ann Gaeremynck. To these three Munich has so
ence in Vaterstetten. strong women, each an outstanding
Over the next few years, we will be personality in her own right, I would much to offer
developing the new Munich business like to take this opportunity to wel-
park on an area of around 40 hectares
for such traditional industrial icons as
come you once again.
Last but not least, we announced 12 Quo vadis
the BMW Group and the KraussMaf- the second 50/50 joint venture with VGP Foundation
fei Group. The start of construction Allianz Real Estate on 1 July, 2019.
marks the start of the largest reloca- This proven partnership will help us
tion project in the greater Munich area
since the airport was relocated from
to grow further in already developed
markets such as Spain and Italy, but
13 Event
Riem to Erding in 1992. also in a fast growing market such as Transport logistic
For more than five years now, we Romania. fair in Munich
have been making repeated efforts As you can see, a lot has happened
We contribute to acquire an attractive land site in
Laatzen near the Hanover Fair. In 2019
we finally succeeded. The go-ahead
in recent weeks and months. And we
have set the right course to ensure
that things do not get boring in the
14 Our team
with turn-key solutions for the construction of the 28 hectare
industrial park was given in June
future and that we continue to suc-
cessfully develop VGP together with
People in the VGP Team
to your success
2019 at a joint press conference with
the city of Laatzen and anchor ten-
ant KraussMaffei Berstorff, another
our customers and employees.
18 Brand story
KraussMaffei Group company. After I hope you enjoy reading
Technology Pioneers are
heading into the Future
www.vgpparks.eu more than 130 years, this traditional
company will move from its current
VGP Location3
Jan Van Geet
location to our new industrial park in
Laatzen. 20 Interview
I am so proud of these two projects
Ladies’ turn: VGP
because they are not just milestones
for VGP in Germany, they also show shareholders elect
what VGP stands for: Persistence, vi- new board members
sion and customer orientation. Over
the years, we have invested a lot of
time and energy in these properties
because we were convinced of the lo-
22 Dreams
cations and were able to win the right What forms the
customers for these projects. Both myth of Bavaria
parks together are already 88% pre-let.
At the same time, with these
projects we are taking a new path
towards sustainable construction and
25
resource-conserving operation. The
The kingdom of Bavaria
published by — editor-in-chief — photography — VGP Group will install one of the larg-
VGP
Jenišovice 59
468 33 Jenišovice u Jablonce nad Nisou
Jan Van Geet
editorial staff —
Jan Van Geet, Petra Vanclova, Karen
VGP archive, Pavel Horák, www.phph.cz
Bavarian Castles and Lakes
Administration, KraussMaffei,
est photovoltaic systems ever to be
installed on a building in Europe on 26
Czech Republic Huybrechts, Gale A. Kirking, CFA, MBA www.shutterstock.com
the hall roofs of Munich Park. Do you need space?
tel +420 483 346 060 (English Editorial Services, s.r.o.), design —
e-mail location@vgpparks.eu Anette Nachbar (Brunswick Group Markéta Hanzalová, www.colmo.cz
www.vgpparks.eu GmbH) print —
Issue 16, volume XII. language editor — ASTRON studio CZ, a. s.
English Editorial Services, s.r.o., MK ČR E 20480
Brunswick Group GmbH pages 2/3
logistics area of Valencia: Business
Continued VGP plans to build a new park Area of the A-3 highway (Ribarroja,
Cheste and Loriguilla) with direct
momentum in Cheste close to Valencia access to both the airport and Port
of Valencia and a few minutes from
for 2019 the junction with the A-7 (Alicante-
Barcelona). VGP has been advised
on this project by Triangle Real
Estate Management. This strong
On 10 May 2019 VGP published and decisive commitment to the
its market update for the period Valencian market and to the new
of the first four months of Logistics Park of Cheste is in addition
2019, during which VGP had to those that VGP has recently carried
€ 18.1 million of signed and out in other locations of the Spanish
renewed lease agreements. Cur- logistics market, such as VGP Park
rently, the Group has 547,000 m2 San Fernando de Henares, VGP
under construction, represent- Park Mango in Barcelona, VGP Park
ing € 28.2 million in additional Fuenlabrada and recently VGP Park
annual rent once fully built and Zaragoza. In total, 320,000 m 2 has
let. VGP delivered 4 projects of been built. At the moment, VGP has
totalling 62,000 m2 of lettable a total of 55 multi-tenant and high-
area and representing € 3.2 mil- quality standardised logistics parks
lion of annualised committed in 12 European countries. The Group
leases. These buildings are fully VGP Spain has acquired 75,000 m 2 of and sustainability. manages a portfolio with a total value
leased out. The Group is also land plots in Cheste where VGP plans The project is located in the prime as of year-end 2018 of €1.94 billion.
continuing in expanding its land to build two logistics buildings. The
bank to secure future growth. and ceiling with visible installations, land plots were acquired in stages
Total land bank acquired and Relocation of the hardness of which is balanced by in the course of the last few months
secured has increased to 5.8 wooden elements and plentiful greenery. and are expected to host two state-
million m 2, which can offer
2.6 million m 2 of future lettable
Prague offices The Rustonka administrative complex
is located in the attractive Karlín neigh-
of-the-art logistics platforms. The
project could create about 400 new
area. VGP CEO Jan Van Geet is bourhood, close to the Invalidovna jobs and requires a total investment
delighted by the Group’s per- underground station. The building’s of approximately € 22 million. VGP
formance. “We have started the At the beginning of 2019, the VGP team architecture is inspired by the location’s has presented a commitment to the
year on a strong footing as we in the Czech Republic relocated from industrial history. The building received City Council of Cheste to deliver in
see continued momentum across its offices in Horní Počernice to the new the LEED Gold Certificate. Our new ad- total more than 41,000 m 2 of logistics
the markets in which we operate. Rustonka administrative building in dress is Rustonka, building R2, Rohanské platforms. The first building will
Market fundamentals are strong, Prague 8. Our in-house architects Marek nábřeží 693/10, Prague 8. have 15,000 m2 of total leasable area
with remaining robust demand, Kopp and Juraj Kováč created an excep- and 18 loading docks. On the other
disciplined supply and contin- tional and pleasant workspace combin- plot, a platform with 26,000 m2 of
ued land scarcity,” said Jan Van ing open and enclosed spaces where total leasable area will be built.
Geet. The 30 projects under everyone enjoys working. A main part These buildings will be delivered to
construction during the first of the offices is a multi-functional relax high technical standards and great
four months are currently 60% zone dominated by a bar counter instead modularity for potential customers
pre-let. The signed new leases of the classic office kitchen. It is used and optimised for energy efficiency
have a weighted average lease for meetings, screenings, listening to
term of 13.0, years which has in- music, and physical exercise using gym
creased the average term of the equipment. The interior design makes
portfolio to 8.2 years (vs 7.8 years reference to the industrial focus of VGP New project in Buseck
at Dec ember 18). On 1 April, the buildings with walls of exposed concrete
fifth closing with VGP Euro-
pean Logistics, the 50/50 joint
in Germany: earthwork
venture with Allianz Real Estate,
was successfully completed for
to begin shortly
a transaction value of € 203 mil-
lion. The transaction comprised
of 9 buildings (5 in Germany and In December 2018, the company Industriebau GmbH, believes in the
4 in the Czech Republic), includ- acquired a land plot of approx. location: “Together with the city ad-
ing 3 buildings each in a new 36,500 m 2 on Kasseler Strasse in ministration, we want to help shape
VGP park and another 6 newly Buseck in Germany. In March of this the economic development of the
completed logistic buildings year, the first lease agreement was Buseck community through the new
which were developed in parks signed with logistics service pro- VGP building.” Scheible is looking
previously transferred to the vider Strauß LogPack. In addition to forward to the cooperation with the
joint venture. The net proceeds logistic companies, companies from community. “Close planning based on
from this transaction (includ- the manufacturing sector are also to partnership is indispensable in order
ing disposed cash) amounted to move into the building. It will offer to create trust and sustainable added
circa € 130 million and are being space for more than 100 partly highly value in the region.” he remarked.
used for financing of existing qualified jobs in production, logistics Construction work is scheduled to
projects under construction and and administration. Darius Scheible, begin this summer and is expected to
for the acquisition of new devel- Managing Director of the Düssel- continue until the beginning of next
opment land. dorf-based German subsidiary VGP year.
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii. News pages 4/5
Q KraussMaffei Q What
Photo © KraussMaffei
is 181 years In building technology: will be the impact of
Business old today, and it has moved Photovoltaic system, combined heat KraussMaffei’s digitisation
several times during the compa- and power unit, heating and cooling strategy?
ny’s history. The first plant was in sails in the offices, active hall ventila- It is already doing this by enabling the
Hirschau, which is now a part of tion, sprinkler system incl. fire detec- implementation of concrete value-
The opportunity
Munich’s English Garden. Later, tion, intelligent LED lighting with adding products and business models.
KraussMaffei started produc- light and motion sensors. At the heart of the new Digital Service
tion at the Marsfeld area, west Solutions division will be the digitisa-
of Munich’s city centre. Now, For employees: tion of customer services. One pillar is
this company with a long tradi- Modern and ergonomic office the digital ‘e-service platform’, which
tion has once again decided to concepts, collaboration areas, enables customers to order machine
of the century relocate, this time from Munich’s
Allach District to Parsdorf, on the
city’s eastern outskirts. Why will
KraussMaffei move again?
The relocation is part of our global
growth strategy. We want to move to
a modern canteen and cafeteria
with an outdoor area.
In terms of mobility:
Ideal pubic transport connections
(suburban railway, bus, motorway),
spare parts and access machine-spe-
cific documentation 365 days a year
using a digital 3D spare parts finder.
Like Amazon, this enables us to order
quickly as required, anytime and
anywhere, transparently, with just one
for KraussMaffei Parsdorf from 2022 to 2027 in order
to be able to expand and modernise.
The new location covers an area of
250,000 m² and can accommodate up
to 2,500 employees. This makes the
location suitable for the future. The
employee parking garage, charging
stations for electric vehicles.
Q KraussMaffei has been pur-
suing its ‘Compass’ strategy
since last year. What goals are you
click on the smartphone.
Q What are KraussMaffei’s
expectations from the new
location? Why was Parsdorf
chosen in the end?
move will create more space for us to pursuing with this strategy? After almost a century of successful
In an interview with VGP Location3, accelerate our growth, secure existing With the ‘Compass’ strategy, we are work in Allach, we are reaching our
Dr Frank Stieler, CEO of KraussMaffei, jobs, and build new ones. For compar- focusing on expanding our busi- limits there. This is something we
ison: in Allach we currently employ ness models, especially in the area want to change quickly. However, it
describes the rationale for one of 1,800 people, there is no adequate of digital services. In 2018, as part is important for us to acknowledge
Munich’s biggest relocation projects space for expansion. In addition, we of a strategy project, we recognised our origins. KraussMaffei’s roots lie
want to motivate our employees by the enormous opportunities offered in Munich. For this reason, we were
in the last 30 years and explains creating a new and modern working by digitisation and the associated delighted to find a partner in VGP
how the planned move is linked to environment. That’s why we’re not need for further development from who can provide us with a location in
KraussMaffei’s digital strategy. afraid to realise one of the largest
relocation projects in the Munich area
mechanical to digital excellence. We
responded with a structural change,
the Munich area where we are able to
realise our plans for a modern loca-
in 30 years. For us, the relocation is bundled our service units under a tion. Four new production halls, a
an opportunity to flourish in a new new segment and established the Dig- pilot plant, two administration build-
environment. ital Service Solutions business unit in ings and two modern car parks with
July 2018. We also created Customer electric filling stations are to be built
Q What led to the co-operation
with VGP? Which factors
Value, which bundles all activities
into business model innovations, and
on the site. The Parsdorf location thus
offers Krauss-Maffei the chance for
were decisive? Digital Products. the century.
VGP is a recognised developer of
industrial real estate, whom we trust
Photo © KraussMaffei
to be able to implement such an im-
portant and future-oriented project
on time and cost. What is more, we
have been particularly impressed by
the company’s business development
in recent years and the experience
that VGP has gained in the construc-
tion and leasing of industrial prop-
erties. Finally, the fact that Allianz
Real Estate is on board as a strong
partner was a decisive factor. And
of course, VGP was able to offer a
property in Parsdorf which meets our
requirements.
Q Which innovations are
planned at the new location?
The Parsdorf location will be imple-
mented consistently according to
the Smart Factory concept. Modern
logistics, the creation of new work
processes and the opportunities of-
fered by digitisation will significantly
increase productivity. A whole series
of innovations is planned, with whose
implementation we expect to achieve
a promising result. I would like to pick Dr Frank Stieler, CEO of KraussMaffei
out a few of them here:
Business pages 6/7
Photo © Shutterstock.com
Project
VGP Park Laatzen
strengthens VGP’s
standing in Northern
Germany
Just 21 minutes by car from Hannover city of Bremen and to the North Sea.
Economically more important today
and less than 15 minutes from Deutsche is the Mittelland Canal, Germany’s
Messe, Germany’s large trade exhibition longest man-made waterway. Passing
centre, VGP Park Laatzen will offer many the city on the East and North, the
canal connects Hannover to European
advantages to its future tenants inland waterways and to the North
Sea ports.
Development of this new park in Major motorways, railways, and an
Lower Saxony is expected to begin in international airport are additional
2
November 2919. VGP Park Laatzen is a
greenfield project situated on a rather
287,833 m components of the city’s and regional
transport infrastructure for freight,
large land area of 287,833 m². The Land area goods and passengers. The North–
premises will be suitable for logistics South A7, East–West A2, and North- Excursion
and industrial activities. Lettable area east–Northwest A1 motorways are
2
will total approximately 130,000 m²
and consist of five to seven buildings,
130,000 m regional road connections of inter-
national importance. Hannover, like
depending on the future tenants’ Lettable area other major cities in Lower Saxony,
needs.
Hannover lies within Northern
Germany’s Hannover–Braunschweig–
Göttingen–Wolfsburg Metropolitan
Region, which encompasses approxi-
trade, the Hannover Region also is a
vital European transportation hub.
Hannover’s transport and trade
also is connected to Deutsche Bahn’s
Intercity-Express high-speed train
network. The park at Laatzen near
Hannover is not the first that VGP
has developed in Northern Germany,
Munich has
so much
mately one-third of Lower Saxony’s history dates back at least to the and it likely will not be the last. VGP
land area but nearly half its popula- Middle Ages, when the River Leine Park Göttingen is about 120 km to the
tion. Economically important for agri- flowing through the city connected south and VGP Park Hamburg 160 km
culture, manufacturing, services and Hannover to the Hanseatic League to the north.
to offer
(and, yes, then
there’s the beer…)
Okay, so when people think of
Munich the first things that come
VGP Park Laatzen to mind are likely to be beer,
Oktoberfest, and then beer again.
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii.
Photo © Olgysha / Shutterstock.com
Photo © Shutterstock.com
Photo © Shutterstock.com
5 minutes’ walk from Marienplatz. say). Typical local foods, Julien
This big and famous tavern is open relates, include (roast pork), Schwein-
every day until midnight, so we might shaxe (pork knuckle), Dampfnudeln
come back and spend more time here (steam dumplings), and Kaisersch-
later. Now, we want to walk over to marrn (torn up pancakes served with
the Viktualienmarkt. This is a big plum jam and powdered sugar, said to
open-air food market and operates have been a favourite of Franz Josef I).
every day except Sunday. You might “Okay, maybe Kaiserschmarrn is from
call it a farmer’s market, but it’s really Austria,” Julien admits “but it is very
more like a big gourmet food market. popular here… So there is a lot of pork
From there, we’re going to stroll over and potatoes, but that goes very well
to Sendlinger Straße to see the Ba- with beer, and we must mention that
roque Asam Kirche, which is impres- there are dozens of local brands. One of
sive from the outside but incredible the best places to try all of the above is
inside. We also will walk over to the at Hofbräukeller on Wiener Platz.”
nice square called Jakobsplatz to see It is difficult to say when is the best
the new synagogue, which has a very time to visit Munich, because things
interesting architecture. are going on in this very dynamic city
Oktoberfest “But we won’t spend the whole time Marienplatz town hall and Frauenkirche all through the year. Of course, Julien
in the central old town,” Julien con- notes, Oktoberfest is popular with in-
tinues, “because we also like to show ternational visitors and the local peo-
visitors the English Garden with its ple alike. That is the best time to see
Munich does have great beers, of
course, and die Münchner do know
city, will combine the must-see touris-
tic sites with discovering a few of the
Chinese Tower. This large park is the
green lung of Munich, and it’s nice to go
(art from the Middle Ages through
the Renaissance and Baroque) and
“A highlight is the locals in their traditional Bavarian
clothing and celebrating Bavarian life,
how to throw a good party, but Ger-
many’s third-largest city (after Berlin
locals’ secret places. Julien is happy
to share some suggestions. “When we
there for a bike ride. It’s possible to rent
bikes (and Munich generally is really
the Neue Pinakothek (billing itself as
“from Goya to Picasso”).
to sit in the beer but Munich’s famous beer garden cul-
ture is a year-round phenomenon. The
and Hamburg), situated just a half- have visitors, usually we go to the city well set up for biking), so that makes The Nymphenburg Palace is the for- garden of the Christmas markets are a big attraction.
hour’s drive from the Alps, can justifi- centre,” he begins. “The typical path it easy. A highlight is to sit in the beer mer summer residence of the House of “Each neighbourhood has a different
ably boast also of world prominence starts from Odeonplatz, where you’ll garden of the Chinese Tower and watch Wittelsbach, a royal family that ruled Chinese Tower and type of market,” Julien explains, “rang-
in industry and commerce, culture, see the Theatiner Kirche (Theatine the surfers. Yes! There are surfers in much of Bavaria (among other places) ing from the traditional on Marienplatz
science and education, and standard Church of St. Cajetan) and of course the Munich! The manmade Eisbach River from the late Middle Ages until 1918. watch the surfers. and at the Chinese tower to the medi-
of urban living. For anybody making Residenz, which was the royal palace flows through the English Garden and The palace’s botanical gardens should eval at Wittelsbacherplatz and to the
an extended visit, it is not difficult of the Bavarian monarchs.” We then forms a permanent wave that you just not be missed in any case. In addition
Yes! There are artistic at Münchner Freiheit.”
to understand why the latest Mer-
cer Quality of Living Survey ranked
walk in the direction of Marienplatz,
which is the city’s central square. If
have to see to believe.”
Other popular tourist sites in
to those houses of worship already
mentioned, the two-towered late-
surfers in Munich!” The summer and warm-weather
months generally can be beautiful in
this capital of Bavaria 3rd among the the timing is right, we can watch the Munich well worth visiting include Gothic Frauenkirche is the dominant Munich and Bavaria. The beer gardens
world’s most-liveable cities (after Glockenspiel on the New Town Hall the Deutsches Museum (said to be the landmark in Munich’s centre. Its Julien Dufros are open, one can ride about on rented
Vienna, Austria and Zürich, Switzer- perform at the top of the hour (only world’s largest museum of science 100-meter towers are visible from Group Controller, bikes, and there are various festivals.
land). To learn more about historic at 11:00 and 12:00, but also 5:00 pm and technology, with plenty to see everywhere in central Munich. At the For visitors staying long enough to get
Munich, we consulted with Julien in summer). The beautiful Old Town and do for the whole family) and the entrance to the red brick church, visi-
VGP Industriebau GmbH out of town a bit, there are several nice
Dufros, Group Controller at VGP In- Hall, dating back to the 14th century, BMW Museum. For art lovers, Julien tors will find a footprint pressed into lakes in the area (i.e. Starnbergersee,
dustriebau GmbH. is also there. recommends especially der Moderne, the floor that is said to have been left Chiemsee, Tegernsee, and Schliersee),
Julien and his wife have been liv- Of course, we must stop by at the which exhibits 20th and 21st century there by the Devil himself. Elisabethmarkt has a small Biergar- and a person can go hiking in the
ing in Munich for more than 15 years. Hofbräuhaus on Platzl, which is just art. There are also the Alte Pinakothek Smaller and less imposing, but inter- ten, just ideal for a refreshing bever- Alps. “You also should not miss visiting
He says they greatly appreciate the esting in its own right as the oldest par- age or lunch. Speaking of food and Neuschwanstein castle,” Julien em-
quality of life here. There are many ish church in Munich is Peterskirche. drink, a visitor scarcely can miss phasises. The fairy-tale castle, built by
Photo © Shutterstock.com
professional opportunities with It is situated on the only substantial sampling the Bavarian cuisine (or Ludwig II of Bavaria, is just two hours
large international companies and hill in the old town. For those ready to Küche, as we should more properly from Munich by car.
international organisations. Munich climb some 300 steps to the top of the
has expansive green zones, is known church’s tower, an observation deck
Photo © Shutterstock.com
as a generally safe city, and offers provides a 360° panorama of the city.
much in terms of culture, recreation, Julien is willing to share some local
and sports (for example, FC Bayern secrets, too. If you enjoy fitness and
München is the most successful foot- nature, it is hard to beat an early morn-
ball club in German football history). ing jog in the English Garden (although
Engineering giant Siemens is head- a brisk walk or leisurely bike ride
quartered here, Julien notes, and so is might arguably be just as nice). He also
BMW. Other major industrial employ- recommends barbequing with family
ers include MAN (producing heavy or friends on the beaches and islands
lorries and buses), Krauss-Maffei along the Isar River on the southern
(plastics manufacturing equipment), outskirts of the city.
Linde (industrial gases), Knorr- One of Julien’s favourite places off
Bremse (braking systems), and Osram the beaten tourist path is the Elisa-
(lighting products and technologies). bethmarkt in Munich’s Schwabing
Munich is also known for financial district. Named after the Bavarian
services (Allianz, Munich Re, Uni- princess affectionately known by
Credit), media (Pro-7 and Sat 1), and Austrians as “Sisi” and who became
IT (German headquarters of Micro- Austrian Empress when she mar-
soft) companies. ried Emperor Franz Josef I, this
An enjoyable and memorable visit Olympia park market is a smaller, calmer version BMW Museum
to Munich, as to any other fascinating of the inner city’s Viktualienmarkt.
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii. Excursion pages 10/11
Quo vadis
VGP Foundation species, which otherwise do not re-
ceive much attention.
The protection of European cultural
assets will also become a priority. The
reference to Europe results from my
Interview with Jan Van Geet, CEO of VGP personal fascination with European
history and from my daily work on
and founder of the Foundation various projects spread across Europe.
We would like to invest in the common
European heritage. Here we are cur-
The VGP Foundation was founded in It should be the aim of the Foundation rently in discovery phase and are still
2019 following the initiative of the to be able to act in complete freedom considering which projects we would
VGP Group. It is the Founders’ aim to and independently of VGP’s opera- like to support. We could imagine, for
use the proceeds of the Foundation’s tive business and to be involved in example, building a small museum or
assets to fund projects that support projects which it considers important. supporting the restoration of interest-
children and young people, preserve We want to set priorities and define ing buildings. Cost-cutting measures
and create biospheres for endangered concrete project work that will enable in European cities and municipali-
species, and protect European cul- us to give something back to society. ties often affect cultural institutions.
tural assets. Employees will also get the opportu- As citizens, we feel a responsibility
nity to suggest projects that should towards society and should not leave
Q Mr Van Geet, when you
announced your company’s
be supported. Therefore, the Board of
the Foundation will not only be made
it to the state or local authorities alone
to sustain culture. Cultural heritage
annual results for 2018, you up of members of the VGP-family but is not only buildings, but also music
announced the creation of your also of external experts. This is to en- societies, art galleries, etc..
own foundation. What prompted sure a strict separation between VGP’s
you to take this step?
As a European developer, operator
commercial activities and those of the
Foundation. Q How does the Foundation
finance itself?
and owner of high-quality logistics The Foundation will focus on Every year about 1-2% of the annual
and commercial real estate, VGP is in three main areas: We want to support profit of VGPs should flow into the
constant competition. Our custom- children and young people whose Foundation. The starting capital will
ers and shareholders are entitled to education could otherwise not be guar- be drawn from the annual result for
always expect our company to oper- anteed. This is very important to us. 2019. So, it’s a mixture between me,
ate effectively and cost-consciously. Another topic will be the preser- people from VGP and external people. Transport
We are happy to meet this challenge vation and creation of biospheres We will do this without compensation.
daily. As a European company, we also for endangered species. VGP builds logistic fair
feel the responsibility to give some-
thing back to society, regardless of
a lot on the outskirts of cities or in
industrial areas, and the protection of Q What funding opportunities
will the Foundation have? in Munich
the contribution we already make as nature is very important to us. For this How large will the Foundation’s
a company in the context of our daily reason, we would like to support the assets be?
activities. creation of nature conservation zones Last year, VGP’s profit was 120 million At the beginning of June 2019, VGP
beyond that which VGP already does euros. That would be a starting capital participated in “transport logistic
Q As VGP, you could also
directly promote social or
within the framework of the activities
required by law and support various
of approximately 2.4 million euros
(at 2%). We would like to put a similar
2019”, the leading international fair for
logistics, mobility, IT and supply chain
cultural matters – why a founda- animals and plants to be protected amount into the Foundation every management in Germany. The fair has
tion, and where will its focus lie? throughout Europe. Especially smaller year. Nevertheless, this is of course been taking place in Munich since
only possible if the company is doing 1978. VGP welcomed both current and
well economically. potential clients to its 72 m² stand.
VGP’s first participation at the fair had
Q What does the management
structure of the Foundation
been in 2015. Visitors to VGP’s booth
were able to meet the country manag-
look like? ers and commercial officers from all
The Board will be independent of countries within which VGP operates.
VGP and will also consist of external
experts who will contribute their
subject expertise to the Board. The fair in numbers
Q When will the Foundation
start its work? When can
— 2,374 exhibitors from
63 countries and regions
you tell us more? — Around 64,000 visitors
The legal entity will be established — More than 125,000 m² of
within the next few months. If the an- exhibition space across
nual budget is confirmed, the Founda- 10 halls and the surrounding
tion will start its work at the beginning outdoor exhibition area
of 2020. One to three projects will al- — High-quality conference
ready be selected this year so that they programme with some
can be implemented quickly next year. 200 experts
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii. Quo vadis / Event pages 12/13
Our team Mario Jerkic
Project Manager in Germany
Mario graduated as an engineer and studied
People in the
architecture at Dortmund University of Applied
Sciences, where he wrote his diploma thesis in co-
operation with HOCHTIEF ViCon on “Optimisation of
testing processes”. He used the time during his studies
to gain initial insights and practical experience in
VGP team various areas of the construction industry. For example,
he worked as a student trainee at the renowned
companies Zarinfar Baumanagement and Gerber
Architekten. After graduating in 2011, he acquired
professional experience in the areas of construction
and project management with a focus on retail and
industrial construction, among others, at Goldbeck
VGP is making significant additions to its international and C&A. Since October 2018, Mario has been project
team, thereby positioning the company even better to manager at VGP in Düsseldorf, responsible for the
Decathlon project and due diligence in the property
uphold its promise of quality and to generate growth. acquisition team. He is a fan of football, enjoys visiting
Here are some of VGP’s new team members. restaurants with his family and friends, and trying his
hand at cooking.
Stefan Radeanu Sarah Klein
Commercial Officer Project Manager in Germany
Stefan was appointed to the position of Sarah has been working as a project manager at VGP
Commercial Officer in Romania, where he is Germany since 1 November 2018. She holds a Master
currently responsible for projects in Timisoara, of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Münster
Brasov and Sibiu. He has more than 10 years of University of Applied Sciences and London South
experience in the real estate sector, specialising Bank University. During her Bachelor’s degree studies,
in budgeting, forecasting, retail development, Sarah completed an apprenticeship as a concrete and
commercial management, and strategic reinforced concrete engineer at the Max Bögl Group.
negotiations. Stefan likes reading books, There, she gained practical experience on various
listening to music, and doing various kinds of construction projects. Her first construction project
sports. as project manager at VGP is the construction of a
logistics hall at VGP Park Berlin of around 20,000 m².
Her main task is to achieve a high degree of customer
satisfaction and maximum economic success for VGP in
the development of the projects. Sarah is delighted to be
part of the young VGP project management team and to
actively support it.
José Ferreira Alberto Carampin
Country Manager for Portugal Project Manager in Italy
José is Country Manager for Portugal. A graduate in Alberto joined VGP in November 2018 and says he
civil engineering, he also earned a postgraduate degree already feels like a part of the VGP family. He works
in engineering, as well as an MBA and PMP. José has at VGP as project manager for Italian projects and is
more than 15 years of solid experience in construction very keen on helping VGP expand in Italy and build up
management throughout Portugal and in various types a solid Italian subsidiary. Before joining VGP, Alberto
of construction, including reinforcement solutions, worked as a project manager for AECOM, a Fortune
rehabilitation, retail real estate, offices, hotels, and 500 American technical services provider employing
amphitheatres. José started his professional career while 85,000 people around the word. He worked there on
developing a construction company with the shareholders project management for several blue chip companies,
from the early beginning and had responsibility for including Amazon, Microsoft, Porsche Engineering,
managing day-to-day operations. That brought him deep Kuwait Petroleum, US Department of Defense, ENI
knowledge in all aspects of managing a construction group, Pfizer, Autostrade per l’Italia, Aeroporti di Roma,
company. José lives in Porto (“the most beautiful city,” in his Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, and ArvinMeritor. Alberto is
words) with his wife and their daughter. He has a passion father of a daughter 8 months old.
for such radical sports as kitesurfing and snowboarding,
combat sports, and riding his brat motorcycle. José also
likes looking at old classic cars.
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii. Our team pages 14/15
Karen Huybrechts Tomas Bednar
Head of Marketing Country manager in Slovakia
Karen earned a Master’s Degree in Applied Economics A graduate in international business from State
with specialisation in Marketing at the University of University of New York, Tomas Bednar has professional
Antwerp. She has more than 20 years of experience in experience from positions managing investment
brand & marketing management, mainly in the fast- projects within Slovak private equity firms. For the
moving consumer goods segment. Karen has worked past 10 years, he has worked on projects in real estate
as brand manager and marketing manager in the development with responsibility for financing and
tobacco industry, confectionery (Haribo), ice cream project management. Tomas spends his free time with
(IJsboerke and Mio), and in the packaging industry his family and friends, especially his little daughter. He
(Vitra nv). Karen joined VGP in March 2019 and works also enjoys sports, most recently mainly ice hockey. Born
at the head office in Antwerp . She will be responsible in the eastern Slovak city of Košice, since completing his
for long-term marketing strategy in support of the studies in Prague he has relocated to Slovakia’s capital,
company’s objectives and for continuing the process Bratislava.
of building corporate visibility (off- and online) in all
VGP countries. Karen has a passion for Italy and its rich
cultural heritage, beautiful landscape, and delicious
food and wine.
Christian Bauer Eliška Voříšková
Country Manager for Austria Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer
Christian has been working for VGP as Country Manager for As assistant to CEO Jan Van Geet, Eliška Voříšková
Austria since 1 January 2019. Prior to VGP, Christian worked serves as a contact point for the whole company. That
for a logistics real estate developer in the field of business she has command of four languages (at the moment)
development. During this time, he built up a broad network and is always ready to help others make her ideal for
that will be very helpful for his new job at VGP, because that role. Before joining VGP, Eliška worked for several
building long-term partnerships will be key to successfully dynamic global companies, where she sharpened her
establishing VGP on the Austrian market. After getting a focus on efficiency, a mind oriented to problem-solving,
technical education in mechanical engineering, Christian and a well-tempered disposition. She loves trains,
completed business studies as a part-time student. Scottish nature and Japanese culture, and dreams of
Since that time, he has worked primarily for international renovating her own Volkswagen T1 and traveling with it
companies. Among others, he worked for a company active through the European countryside.
on the Romanian market, where Christian was responsible
also for logistics. This work brought him great intercultural
experiences, which he believes will have a very positive
effect on his future life. In his free time, Christian enjoys
sports such as mountain biking oder running.
Jana Heckmann Bogdan Teodorescu
Team Assistance Acquisition Technical Manager
Jana Heckmann has been with VGP Germany since A graduate from the Technical University of Civil
1 October 2018 and supports the property and sales Engineering in Bucharest and École des Ponts
team around Wilm Schwarzpaul and Darius Scheible. ParisTech, Bogdan has worked in recent years in
Jana originally comes from Münster, where she trained as the construction industry and development. At
a bank clerk and then studied part-time. After 7 years of VGP Romania, Bogdan is working as technical
advising clients at Deutsche Bank, she decided to travel the manager for all Romanian projects. In that role, he
world and spent several months in Australia, New Zealand can utilise his strong technical background. He
and Thailand. After her return, she worked for a large loves to play chess, and his hobbies also include
German fashion company as an assistant to the company karate, sky jumping, and touch rugby.
management. At VGP, she supports the acquisition of real
estate, from the search and inspection of new properties
through sales contract negotiations and to their conclusion.
She is very excited about her lateral entry into this new
industry, to be part of VGP Germany’s growing team, and
to provide a foundation for new projects. In her spare time,
Jana enjoys jogging along the Rhine, playing tennis, and
travelling.
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii. Rubrika pages 16/17
With its largest relocation in the com-
Brand story
Photo © VGP
Photo © KraussMaffei
pany’s 180-year history, the Krauss-
Maffei Group is moving to the ‘smart
factory’ industrial park developed by
VGP in Parsdorf at the outskirts of Mu-
Technology nich in order to continue its growth
story and simultaneously demon-
strate loyalty to its founding location
in Munich.
For decades, the KraussMaffei
Group has been one of the leading
pioneers are manufacturers of plastics process-
ing machinery, and its employees see
themselves as technology pioneers.
Wherever plastics are formed into
products, KraussMaffei machines and
heading into
systems are used – for example in au-
tomotive interiors, medical products,
and the construction industry.
The range of products and ser-
vices covers the entire spectrum locomotive to becoming the leading
of injection moulding, extrusion, manufacturer of digital plastics ma-
the future and reaction technology, giving the
KraussMaffei Group a unique selling
proposition within the industry. As
of 2022, the biggest relocation in the
company’s history to a new location in KraussMaffei’s extraordinary his-
chinery. What began with the merger
of the two companies to form Krauss &
Comp-J.A. Maffei AG developed over
the decades into a leading technology
company in mechanical engineering
Largest relocation
Parsdorf (on the outskirts of Munich) tory reaches back to the beginnings thanks to the achievement of numer-
developed by VGP according to the of German industry. Surely the two ous technical milestones and expan-
smart factory concept will contribute steam and electric locomotive manu- sion of a diverse portfolio across the
in a company’s to writing the next chapter in the com-
pany’s rich tradition and history. The
relocation will be one of the largest
facturers Joseph Anton von Maffei
and Georg von Krauss could scarcely
have imagined at their companies’
fields of transportation engineering,
defence technology, process engineer-
ing, plastics technology and reaction
180-year history projects of its kind in the Munich area
in the past 30 years, and it is sched-
uled for completion in 2027.
merger in 1931 that the KraussMaffei
pioneering spirit would continue in
force from the beginnings of the steam
technology.
Today, KraussMaffei is one of the
world’s leading manufacturers of
machines for processing plastics and
rubber. With international locations
Photo © KraussMaffei
and subsidiaries in the USA, Slovakia,
Brazil and China (just this year in
March, the cornerstone was laid for a
new plant in Jianxing), KraussMaffei
is a global market leader with the aim
of providing its customers with high-
quality, efficient machines, systems,
and process solutions that meet their
needs, as well as offering a compre-
hensive range of services adding sig-
nificant value along the entire value
chain. In this respect, the know-how
covers every aspect from product idea
to customer-specific system solution.
KraussMaffei is the only company on
the market with expertise in three ma-
jor technologies for plastics process-
ing machines: injection moulding,
extrusion, and reaction machines.
KraussMaffei is proud of its rich
tradition and history. For the years
ahead, the company has set itself
the strategic goal of continuing its
pioneering spirit and, as a high-tech
pioneer with unique, comprehensive
technological know-how, advancing
the digital future of the plastics and
rubber industry. The development of
innovative solutions, new offerings,
and digital services will be supported
by relocation to the new location at
Joseph Anton von Maffei Parsdorf developed by VGP according
to the smart factory concept.
VGP developed this park at Parsdorf
Brand story pages 18/19Interview “In my opinion the VGP’s land bank is really an important
asset and it definitely offers a competitive advantage
given the increased attention of local authorities to open
Ladies’ turn: space, climate, and related sustainability.”
Ann Gaeremynck
VGP shareholders elect new board members added, “I am convinced that the land
bank is really an important asset and in
my opinion definitely offers a com-
Saxony-Anhalt, served as CEO of the petitive advantage given the increased
Interview with newly elected VGP Berlin Waste Management and City attention of local authorities to open
shareholders board members Cleaning Company, and later as CEO space, climate, and related sustain-
of a large regional German energy pro- ability. I’m also convinced that the
Katherina Reiche, Vera Gäde-Butzlaff vider. Presently, she chairs the super- sound financial strategy – in particular
and Ann Gaeremynck visory board of Vivantes, a municipal the joint venture with Allianz – will
company running hospitals in Berlin. help VGP to realise the goals it has set
out for itself. Overall, I am convinced
Diversity is important in business, as it CEO Jan Van Geet recently affirmed The new board members were that VGP will definitely strengthen its
is also in other aspects of life and soci- that he is “extremely pleased that our asked what they envision for VGP position as a key pan-European player
ety, and diversity certainly is valued at board nominated Ann, Katherina, and in future and where they see its in the logistic retail estates market
VGP. It is very positive, therefore, that Vera to join the board. They have all opportunities. segment. I expect that VGP will further
three outstanding professional women three enjoyed exceptional professional “VGP will continue to grow,” Reiche expand geographically within Europe
have just been elected to VGP’s board as careers: Katherina and Vera have predicted, “because the logistics in its key (Germany) as well as in new Ann Gaeremynck
independent directors. The new direc- invaluable experience in co-operating sector is growing, because online well defined markets.” Overall, I am
tors are Katherina Reiche, Vera Gäde- with German municipalities, state shopping continues to pick up speed, convinced that VGP will definitely
Butzlaff, and Ann Gaeremynck. governments, and with clients at the and because the demand for smart strengthen its position as a key pan-
Together, they now constitute VGP’s interface of the public and private sec- buildings in top locations is increas- European player in the logistic retail competition for space: residential have to provide justifications for the
independent directors. These women tors and Ann in financial reporting, ing… Management at VGP has dem- estates market segment. I expect that space, commercial space, space for construction and use of commercial
bring diversity to VGP’s board also by audit, and governance.” onstrated a good feel for trends. The VGP will further geographical expand public services, space for rest and spaces, although every mayor and city
their various professional backgrounds Ann Gaeremynck is currently a company is quite well connected in within Europe in its key (Germany) as recreation – everything is getting councilperson knows you can’t run a
and personal perspectives. professor of accounting and audit at many European countries. Growth is well as in new well defined markets.” scarce… It’s come to a point where we government without a solid business
the KU Leuven, Faculty of Econom- rapid, but without overheating. The Gäde-Butzlaff emphasised the base, without strong companies.”
VGP Location3 asked what it is ics and Business Administration. She trend toward the fully connected shop strategic importance of technology and Gäde-Butzlaff emphasised that the
about VGP that motivated each of
them to accept a board seat:
holds the Deloitte Chair on Govern-
ance. Her fellow board members have
floor is obvious. Industry 4.0 needs
Premises 4.0.”
forward thinking. “VGP has the oppor-
tunity,” she said, “to offer its customers
“In my opinion, relationships between logistics real
estate developers and local authori-
“VGP is an incredibly exciting com- chosen Gaeremynck to chair VGP’s Gaeremynck anticipates that VGP future-proof solutions with innovative VGP has all ties must be intensified and that com-
pany with an impressive history of audit committee. will continue to build its portfolio of and sustainable concepts, and digitisa- munication should begin at a very
growth,” remarked Katherina Reiche, Katherina Reiche is CEO of the logistics retail estate in its current tion naturally plays a key role in this.” the necessary early stage. “Ultimately,” she said,
who is German. “It’s a family-run Association of Municipal Enterprises markets as well as new regions while “the developers and municipalities
company with a clear European focus. in Germany, as well as President of focusing on market segments with In view of their specific experience requirements to be must see themselves as partners in
Those are just three good reasons – the European Confederation of Public potential to generate earnings and long and expertise, VGP Location3 asked answering the question of how devel-
among many others – for supporting Employers and Enterprises. She for- term value. “To realise those goals,” she Gäde-Butzlaff and Reiche for their successful in the opment and traffic can be resolved
VGP in my new function.”
“I am impressed by VGPs develop-
merly served in Germany’s Bundestag.
Vera Gäde-Butzlaff previously
views on whether today’s ever-
growing cities have a sufficiently
long term.” with a view to the requirements of the
ever-expanding cities.”
ment to date and convinced by its was an Assistant Secretary of State at holistic view on creating industrial Vera Gäde-Butzlaff Developers and municipal authori-
business model,” noted Vera Gäde- the Ministry for Regional Planning, developments and logistics systems ties are not the only stakeholders, of
Butzlaff, also German. “In my opinion, Agriculture and the Environment of and how they expect co-operation course. “We often encounter conflict-
it has all the necessary requirements between local communities and ing interests in cities, and these have
to be successful in the long term. An logistics real estate developers will to be balanced through democratic
important success factor is that the develop in future. processes,” Reiche pointed out. “That
industrial parks are both built and “VGP is an Unfortunately, Gäde-Butzlaff related, often takes a long time – far too long
operated by VGP, and always with an
emphasis on high technological and
incredibly exciting cities typically do not take such a
holistic view. “Far too often,” she said,
for a company that wants to grow like
VGP. But the reconciliation of inter-
environmental quality.” company with “individual projects are still approved ests is essential to democracy. A city
“First, it is an entrepreneurial, without reference to the different needs a healthy business structure
listed firm with a clear mission, vi- an impressive needs of the cities.” to provide services to its citizens.
sion, and strategy,” pointed out Ann Holistic planning is complicated, Companies need quick decisions and
Gaeremynck, who is Belgian. “The history of growth. of course, because of all the conflict- a government that supports them.
firm performs very well, has com- ing interests and forces in play. As And cities need to strike a balance
mitted shareholders, and is very well It’s a family-run Reiche pointed out, “We have to take between economic, social, and eco-
run by a highly experienced CEO and
qualified management team. Moreo-
company with several different megatrends into
account: urbanisation, digitalisation,
logical targets. VGP has decided to
take responsibility within the triangle
ver, the functional complementarity
within the board and the fact that an
a clear European individualisation, climate change,
and the pursuit of sustainable de-
of sustainability. I think that’s the
right choice, and an important one.
appropriate set of expectations were focus.” Katherina Reiche
velopment.” She notes, for example,
Vera Gäde-Butzlaff
VGP shows that it is looking at the big
put forward for my role were definitely that in major cities and metropolitan picture that includes a social market
important in my decision.” Katherina Reiche areas “urbanisation is increasing the economy and a democratic society.”
issue 16 — 2019 — volume xii. Interview pages 20/21© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung www.schloesser.bayern.de / Photo: Anton Brandl, Munich
No other monarch in Bavaria realised
Photo © Shutterstock.com
Dreams his dreams so consistently in building
projects as did Ludwig II, the art and
music enthusiast monarch (1845–1886),
who was also a great admirer of nature.
What forms
“And when we are both long gone,” he
wrote to composer Richard Wagner in
1865, “our work will still serve as a shin-
ing example for posterity…”
Neuschwanstein Castle, located
close to the ancestral seat of the
the myth
Dukes of Schwangau near Füssen in
the Allgäu region, is part of the myth
that inseparably belongs to Ludwig II
and Bavaria. His escape from the real-
ity of daily government into the poetic
dream world of the Middle Ages led to
of Bavaria construction of this imposing build-
ing, which almost ruined the state
of Bavaria. The medieval facade is
merely an illusion, however, because
modern technologies and comforts are Neuschwanstein castle
dream castles within hidden inside the castle.
Even the construction of the castle,
which was begun in 1869 but never
an alpine scenery completed, was incredibly advanced
© Bayerische Schlösserverwaltung www.schloesser.bayern.de
for its day. The cranes were powered throughout Bavaria, making it one of
by steam engines and the throne room the largest owners of national muse-
was built as a sheathed steel struc- ums in Germany. Its mission is to pre-
ture. Inside, a hot-air central heating serve and revive the historic buildings
There are people who still believe that the entire system was installed, and running and structures and to make the charm
State of Bavaria consists of mountains, forests, water was available on all floors. Food of these cultural monuments tangible.
could be transported by an elevator, The Palace Department has around
lakes and fairy-tale castles. Where does this and Ludwig II called his servants and 850 employees, ranging from special-
idyllic image come from? It has a lot to do adjutants via a modern, electric call ists for the restoration of interiors to
system. Today, its three royal castles art historians for the professional su-
with King Ludwig II and the mission of the Neuschwanstein, Linderhof and Her- pervision of museums, from building
“Bavarian Castles and Lakes Administration”. renchiemsee are world famous tourist specialists who supervise the recon-
attractions. In 1918, following the struction, restoration and extension of
end of the monarchy in Bavaria and buildings in compliance with the pres-
Germany, just over 100 years ago, they ervation of historical monuments to a
became part of the “Bavarian Admin- garden department that is responsible
istration of State Castles, Gardens and not only for care and maintenance
Lakes” and have been visited by more of the gardens but also for historical
than 50 million people since Lud- research about them.
wig II’s death. Its President, Bernd Schreiber, has
The Administration owns 45 pal- held this office since October 2011. His
aces, castles and residences as well President Bernd Schreiber task lies between the preservation of
as other architectural monuments tradition and its contemporary media-
tion. “We must not be in love with
Photo © Shutterstock.com
the past or remain in the present. We
must focus on the future. The admin-
istration is the guarantor for this. The
most important forces here are the
employees, who preserve the neces-
sary knowledge and skills. During the
restoration of the Königsbau (in Stutt-
gart), we rediscovered 19th-century
craftsmanship techniques that had
almost been forgotten.”
The task of the Castle Administra-
tion remains not only to preserve
buildings, but also to convey them to
future generations in a professional
and contemporary manner. In order to
awaken the visitors’ enthusiasm and
dreams in the future, Ludwig II wrote,
“I want to remain an eternal mys-
tery to myself and to others.” In 2018
Neuschwanstein castle alone, more than 1.5 million guests en-
deavoured to fathom his dreams.
View from Neuschwanstein castle
Dreams pages 22/23You can also read
