The new production and development site of the Sanner Group in Bensheim, Germany
Dr. Hans-Willem van Vliet, CEO of the Sanner Group, at the topping out ceremony on October 19, 2023
The building project is designed and managed by Goldbeck GmbH, one of Germany’s leading industrial construction companies. Deutsche Anlagen-Leasing (DAL), a leading specialist in large-scale asset-based investment projects, with a transaction volume of over 2.4 billion euros, is financing the project which will effectively double Sanner’s existing production capacity in Germany.
The new 30,000 square meter (322,917 square foot) facility will house a flexible injection molding and assembly hall that can meet packaging and device CDMO requirements. The facility was designed with an automated central material supply system to support efficient machine loading. Other facility design features include Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) floors for assembly of devices that include electronic medical technology components, and Class 7 clean rooms. Current storage capacity will double with the addition of the new warehouse that will soon implement a fully automated warehouse management system to enhance efficiency. The new site will also include a 300 square meter (3229 square foot) “Sanner Technikum” technology and innovation center that will develop customer-specific solutions and device prototypes on site.
The new building is designed to meet Sanner’s sustainability objectives, through the incorporation numerous features contributing to the long-term sustainability of the site. A significant portion of the energy required to run the site will be generated by the Photovoltaic system covering the entire factory roof, which converts thermal energy directly into electricity. Further energy requirements will come from energy efficient heat pumps, and wind turbines to support the outdoor lighting and electric bicycle and car charging stations. Utilizing modern isolation systems and state-of-the-art machinery reduces energy consumption as well. Sanner also took a green approach to the site grounds with the introduction of many trees and a green roof contributing to a more sustainable production facility.
The new facility in Bensheim represents a lighthouse project for Sanner and the future of sustainable manufacturing with energy and resource-efficient operations. The Bensheim site construction is an important part of a greater expansion plan for the Sanner Group, which includes a new second facility in Kunshan, China. The expansion plan will enable the company to fulfill its strategic goals of providing pharma and nutraceutical desiccant packaging as well as medical CDMO services, with the best quality and flexibility for its customers. Sanner’s key objective is to provide next to the packaging portfolio exceptional and efficient development and production of drug delivery, diagnostic and medtech devices for customers around the globe.
“This day is the next great milestone in our company’s history,” noted Sanner CEO Dr. Hans-Willem van Vliet. “This outstanding facility is the result of the hard work and dedication of many people, all of whom deserve great thanks. After all, this is where the Sanner Group will accelerate the development of pharma and medical technologies and provide smart solutions that benefit customers and patients. I strongly believe that the new facilities, as well as our current expansion efforts in Europe and the U.S., will lead to further profitable growth and sustainable capacity for the Sanner Group.”
About Sanner
Sanner GmbH was founded in 1894. Headquartered in Germany and leveraging its best-in-class manufacturing facilities across Germany, France, Hungary, and China. Sanner has successively developed from a global market leader for desiccant closures and effervescent tablet packaging into a sought-after provider of customized solutions in the areas of medical devices and diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer healthcare. Today, Sanner supplies its products to more than 150 countries globally and has over 600 employees. In November 2021, Sanner received a majority investment from GHO Capital a leading specialist healthcare investor. Together, GHO and the fourth generation of the Sanner family will continue to drive growth in the business, creating intelligent healthcare solutions for a better quality of life.