SimonsVoss Technologies celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2020. The company has ­expanded its production facility in Osterfeld in Sachsen-Anhalt in its jubilee year with a new building of around 2,400 m² (26,000 ft²). The pioneer of digital locking technology will employ more efficient, faster and more flexible processes here in future.
The introduction of new products – among them the SmartHandle AX range – and the expansion of already successful existing product ranges such as MobileKey had long brought production capacity at the location in Osterfeld, originally opened in 2013, with around 1,700 m² of production and storage area to its limit. The new facility was opened one month ahead of schedule and increases the total available area on the site to some 5,600 m².

Optimized Production Processes – Better Delivery Performance
The broad spectrum of products – a core feature of SimonsVoss – and the resultant changing product mix brings some special challenges. Head of Operations Peter Heimbürge: “The limited amount of space available made us very creative and inventive sometimes so that we could present a tailored solution on time to the customer. It was not possible simply to introduce new methods and technology.”
The additional space will now permit us to introduce more efficient, quicker and more flexible processes in the production. Optimized production processes also allow shorter lead times and better delivery performance. So amongst other things, a new production line for lock cylinders has been implemented in the new building as a pilot project that can be adapted later to other products. Peter Heimbürge: “We are continuing our course to further improve quality and to bring further innovations to our customers.”

Optimum Working Conditions
“More space for our employees, with corresponding shorter distances and quicker reaction times as well as direct communication all bring big advantages in our daily work “, explains the head of operations. Around 160 people are employed at the Osterfeld site. More staff rooms, a larger canteen and a much-improved car park will provide our staff with even better facilities in future and will further improve the working atmosphere. Peter Heimbürge continues: “This expansion means that the location is in great shape for the future and equipped to optimize the production processes.”

The cover story from our September issue 2020 also includes an Interview with Company Founder Ludger Voss and General Manager Bernhard Sommer: