Lead consulting and implementation of the new production site for Erbe Elektromedizin
Erbe partnered with io to launch its “erbe 4.i – we continue to develop” construction project, with the aim of expanding its production site in Rangendingen with a center of excellence for medical technology instruments.
Sustainable center of excellence for medical technology instruments
The medical technology company’s 25,000 square meter industrial building combines production and product development with logistics and administration. It offers space for up to 500 employees and boasts a modern cafeteria.
io was carrying out HOAI service phases 1-8 as lead consultant, beginning with concept planning and concluding with the implementation of Erbe’s new production facility. io’s role included the process and logistics planning as well as kitchen and clean room planning. The concept and plant structure planning took place from April through July 2019. “erbe 4.i – we continue to develop” subsequently kicked off in October 2019 as a Lead Consulting // plus project.
Two major aspects of this project were the company’s pace of growth and the related criticality of the investment in expanding the production site for the development, manufacture and logistics of surgical instruments.
This building here in Rangendingen is the central hub for our medical instruments. They are developed and manufactured here, to be sent all over the world. It is Erbe’s largest single investment in our 170-year history.
Key Facts
Client
Erbe Elektromedizin GmbH is a medical technology company based in Tübingen. It develops, manufactures and markets surgical instruments and devices worldwide and offers professional services in a range of medical fields.
The challenge
- Merger of two sites
- Carbon-reduced building design
- Strict compliance with clean room regulations
- Expandable logistics and distribution center
Solution
- Layout optimized for material flow and resources with short distances
- Construction designed to be CO2-reduced, including a 1 megawatt roof-mounted photovoltaic system and recyclable materials used for the building
- Wood for the building envelope, roof structure, and interior finishes: 2,000 tons of CO₂ sequestered
- AutoStore small parts warehouse at the heart of the new, expandable logistics and distribution center
Erbe 4.i selected for the “Facility of the Year” Award
Our commitment to resource-conserving and innovative production has been rewarded - Erbe 4.i is finalist in the categories “Innovation” and “Social Impact”
Proud to be a Finalist!
We are proud that our “Erbe 4.i” project at the Rangendingen site has been named finalist for the ISPE Facility of the Year Awards 2025 in the categories “Innovation” and “Social Impact”. This nomination confirms our commitment to sustainable, innovative and future-oriented production solutions.
With state-of-the-art technology and a consistent focus on sustainability, we are setting new standards for environmentally friendly medical technology productions. Our approach combines energy efficiency, sustainable materials and innovative processes to ensure responsible productions.
Carbon-reduced building design
The building will be one of the first industrial buildings in Germany to meet the stringent requirements of the KfW Efficiency House Standard 40, consuming 60% less primary energy than comparable properties.
The core design of the building is to effectively blend in with the nature of the region.
Layout optimized for material flow and resource
The optimized layout design of the production site – with state-of-the-art DIN EN ISO 14644‑1, ISO 8 clean-room production – was an essential aspect of the planning.
Erbe not only focused on an efficient high-quality commercial kitchen when planning the company’s catering facilities, but also on an architecturally appealing design.
New logistics and distribution center
An AutoStore small parts warehouse is at the heart of the new logistics center. The majority of client orders and internal production replenishment are due to be handled there.
The flexible expandability of the storage system ensures a high degree of future-proofing: containers can be added in stages up to the maximum capacity as required without the need for structural measures, and robots can be added to increase the system's dynamics.
In November 2023, the new production building was officially handed over to Erbe. The official inauguration ceremony took place in May 2024.
The shell of the 25,000 sqm production plant was completed in the summer of 2022.
At the ceremonial construction model unveiling in the summer of 2021, the public was given an insight into the sustainable and future-oriented design of the building.
