Medical technology manufacturer Erbe has opened a new center of excellence
It was constructed primarily using timber. Spanning 25,000 square meters, it combines production and product development with logistics and administration—in a sustainable and modern way. The 2,800 photovoltaic modules on its roofs, with a capacity of about one megawatt, generate approximately 610,000 kWh of electricity annually. It is one of the first industrial buildings in Germany to meet the requirements of the KfW Efficiency House 40 Plus standard—and thus consumes no more than 40 percent of the primary energy required by comparable buildings. In line with its conceptual vision, the new industrial complex is designed to be an integral part of the natural environment surrounding it. At its location in Rangendingen, Baden-Württemberg, it appears to rest in the landscape like a fallen tree. “Despite its size, it blends beautifully into the surroundings,” says Jeremy Hotchkiss, partner and Architecture Design Lead at io. “It serves as a visual extension of the forest to the north. Viewed from the neighborhood, it appears relatively flat due to deliberate variations in height. There are no angular roofs; everything is rounded. The exterior facade is made of wood. It envelops the building like bark.”
The new Erbe Competence Center pays off – for both finances and the environment.
- The timber-frame wall system covers 9,500 m², while the timber façade spans 5,500 m². In total, 1,100 m³ of glued laminated timber (glulam) was used.
- Approximately 2,000 tonnes of CO₂ are stored in the timber used throughout the building.
- The photovoltaic system saves around 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually through renewable energy generation.
- By achieving the KfW Efficiency House 40 Plus standard, Erbe received €6.5 million in funding.
- The high-performance building envelope reduces annual heating energy operating costs by approximately €120,000 (confirmed by Backes).
The decision was made to prioritize exceptional energy efficiency
"The end walls resemble the cut ends of trees. They are clad with panels, giving them an appearance reminiscent of growth rings." The analogy fits: Without healthy growth, there can be no attractive growth rings. Erbe is a family-owned company that has grown steadily—and continues on its path to success. Founded in Tübingen in 1851, it quickly developed into a leading international developer and manufacturer of medical instruments. Today, the company is in its fifth generation. For its second headquarters, this generation deliberately chose wood as the building material—and with it, exceptional energy efficiency. “Being one of the first companies to build an industrial complex to the KfW 40 Plus standard sends a strong message. For us as the general planner, it was a major challenge,” admits Hotchkiss. Because: “There are no off-the-shelf solutions. Every client has their own specific needs, which they lay out like the first pieces of a puzzle. We have to put them together and turn them into a complete picture.” For a production facility with a cleanroom for medical devices, the requirements are naturally more demanding than
for a warehouse or office building. As part of the holistic io planning approach—General Planning // Plus—the challenge was to coordinate multiple user groups: factory and logistics planning, building and kitchen systems, project management, and architecture—from the initial design through to completion. “Four years ago, we developed the first strategic options,” recalls Hotchkiss. “To address the sustainability aspect, every detail had to be just right.” The focus was on short transport routes, smooth flows of materials and people, a compact layout on a tightly constrained lot, and a facade design that best embodies the concept of sustainability. “The ‘lying log’ concept fit very well here. It exemplifies the principle of ‘form and function in concert’ in an exemplary way. The central building axis ensures a smooth flow of materials from logistics to production. Everything is designed so that all areas can be reached quickly and easily.” Planning the logistics was extremely challenging due to the plot’s dimensions and road access.
The company is growing alongside the community
The biggest challenge, however, was creating a cleanroom in a wooden structure, as Hotchkiss explains. This is because wood breathes, expands, and moves. And a cleanroom—such as the one Erbe needs for the production of medical devices—has specific requirements regarding factors like hygiene, airtightness, and climate. Among other things, it requires smooth, deposit-free surfaces, a controlled high air exchange rate, and a specific positive-pressure concept to protect the products. “Working with wood as a load-bearing element was, to some extent, pioneering work. We were among the first to do something like this.”
For Hotchkiss, sustainability isn’t just about ecological aspects: “Of course, the economic side is important too. Because what isn’t economically viable can’t be sustainable.” But the social component of sustainability is also significant: “It’s about a healthy and safe work environment, the right lighting, and the appropriate climate—right down to room acoustics and scent. People have five senses for a reason. Every single one wants to be properly addressed.” Those who take this into account can count on healthy, satisfied employees—and expect high productivity.
The ground floor, for example, is a “movement corridor” that conveniently connects all departments. Its social heart is the atrium. It’s designed as a lively hub for communication and is therefore also open to neighbors and guests. The same applies to the company cafeteria—the “regular hangout”—which will feature a tree at its center. The company integrates itself into the existing environment and grows alongside the community.
It goes without saying that the building is designed for sustainable expansion. The production area can easily be doubled. The logistics and distribution center can also be expanded. With this location, the company’s future is secured for the foreseeable future—which pleases not only Managing Director Christian Erbe but also future generations. The neighbors in Rangendingen also like the industrial complex. No wonder, says Hotchkiss: “The new building doesn’t just radiate friendliness—it’s an invitation.”
You've invested a lot in the new center of excellence. What encouraged you to do so?
When designing our new company building in Rangendingen, we faced the challenge of combining three key aspects into a single building: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability. All of these aspects are now incorporated into this building.
What were your environmental requirements for the project?
Sustainability is one of the six strategic focus areas of the Erbe company. We are committed to sustainability. That is why we considered how we could express this commitment in our new building. As a result, we decided to use wood as a building material—not only for the building envelope but also for the interior. Wood is a renewable resource. It also sequesters CO₂, which is why we consider it a suitable choice. Furthermore, wood is a very pleasant material that creates a very pleasant indoor climate and fosters a cozy atmosphere. In addition, we decided to save energy—and so we installed an outer shell around the building that provides very effective insulation. This means we consume very little energy because we lose hardly any of it. In this way, we have achieved the KfW 40 standard. This standard is actually intended for private residential buildings, not industrial complexes. Nevertheless, we have succeeded. Furthermore, we naturally want to conserve energy and reduce our carbon footprint—which is why we installed a large photovoltaic system on the roof. It has a capacity of one megawatt, making it one of the largest in the entire region. Thanks to this system, we are now able to generate our own energy—and save 400 metric tons of CO2 per year.
Social sustainability is also important to you. How was this aspect incorporated into the project?
In addition to environmental sustainability, we have, of course, also taken social sustainability into account. We want to bring employees together so they can talk and exchange ideas. The cafeteria is, of course, the best place for that. In this respect, our restaurant forms the central hub of the building. However, the issue of social responsibility doesn’t just concern us. It also involves our neighbors, for example. That’s why we’ve opened our restaurant here in Rangendingen to nearby businesses as well. Our employees and those from neighboring companies have lunch together here. This makes our restaurant a social hub. Incidentally, it’s called “Stammlokal.” In the center stands a tree whose branches extend over the visitors. When you sit here, it feels as though you’re outdoors in the great outdoors. When it comes to workspaces, it’s important to us that they’re open, bright, and flooded with natural light, so that all employees have excellent working conditions. And we separate office and technical workspaces with appropriate partitions, ensuring that functions are clearly defined and distinct.
This building represents the largest single investment we have made in our company's more than 170-year history.
What benefits or efficiency gains do you expect to see from your investment in Rangendingen and Germany as a production location, looking ahead to the future?
When constructing the building, it was important to us to use high-quality materials that exude quality, but also provide comfort and warmth. After all, we want our employees to feel at home here—which in turn has a positive impact on production. This is, of course, very important to us, especially when we think about the future. This building represents the largest single investment we have made in our company’s more than 170-year history. The fact that we are establishing such a strong presence here—so that we can continue to develop, manufacture, and ship our products to the world from this location in the future—is a testament to our commitment to Germany as a business location.
