To visit Felix Wimmer's favorite spot on the C-WERK site, you need to have a head for heights. On the roof of Building 16, an old red brick structure, stands the scaffolding of a Continental advertising sign that once towered high above the tire manufacturer's former Aachen plant.
"Conti," as they say here, is history, but the view from up here is spectacular. "You're practically enthroned above the entire factory grounds and can see the whole area, bordered by railroad tracks, streets, and neighboring buildings in the middle of the city. It gives you the impression of being in your own microcosm."
A glimpse into the past? Yes, but also into the present and future, and that future is called C-WERK. A place that will develop into a state-of-the-art business district with a focus on production in the long term. Through several metamorphoses – including attractive new buildings – C-WERK will be flexibly adapted to the requirements of the future in the coming years. But even now, it offers optimal conditions for companies in the manufacturing and processing industries. Immediately usable hall space of all shapes and sizes, enabling production and storage at the highest level.
A portfolio that is one of a kind
"We can offer everything from double garages with private access to 11,000 m² of contiguous hall space," says Felix Wimmer. 11,000 m² is equivalent to one and a half soccer fields. twenty-seven halls with a total area of 70,000 square meters are available for immediate occupancy. It's a portfolio that is unmatched in its breadth, as numerous prospective tenants confirm. "The fact that we have new halls with 1,600 m² ready for occupancy, as well as old halls at affordable rental prices that are simply suitable as storage space, impresses many. And everything can be divided into the smallest unit."
Ready-made fire protection concepts, ready-made sprinkler systems – everything is already in place in most of the halls. The electrical connection capacity is actually quite unique: "We have 12 megavolt-amperes here, which means we can deliver approximately 12 megawatts of power in parallel." Even very energy-intensive companies will find the perfect location here. "We recently had a visit from an entrepreneur in the metal surface finishing industry whose business requires a lot of energy. He asked if we could supply 600 kW in parallel. We can – not just in one, but in many, many halls. That really sets us apart from the competition."
Felix Wimmer should know, because he literally knows every square meter of the nearly 13-hectare factory site. The industrial engineer began his career at Conti in 2015. He had just completed two years of master's studies in Stockholm and was looking for a topic for his thesis. He found what he was looking for at Fraunhofer in Aachen, and shortly thereafter he started at Conti. As a trainee, he got to know the corporate headquarters in Hanover, international production sites, and, of course, the tire plant in Aachen. As a project engineer, he was responsible for overarching projects. He implemented new systems and oversaw major infrastructure measures and process changes. "This gave me a good overview of the plant."
Emotional end for the work
After five years, in 2020, the surprising closure of the plant was announced. Two years later, the last tire rolled off the production line. It was an emotional moment for the workforce, including him. There were tears as many of the nearly 2,000 employees looked back on a long working life at Conti. Felix Wimmer stayed longer. As someone who knew the entire plant and all the processes, he became responsible for the team that dismantled the plant. He stayed until the end.
"At some point, there was no more steam, no more dirt, no more noise. Seeing the factory, which had been full of machines, empty was a huge contrast," says Felix Wimmer. Take the vulcanization hall, for example: "It was impossible to see from one end to the other before." At least most of the machinery, as well as many other parts, including office supplies, were reused and sent to other plants within the group. "From my previous job, I knew these plants and the people who worked there. It made me feel good that the machines would be reused there and not scrapped."
Looking back without nostalgia
Looking back, he feels no regret: "I never really wanted to work in the automotive industry because it never really interested me and it's just not my world." He is much more interested in general mechanical engineering and, above all, infrastructure issues – a stroke of luck for the Landmarken family. When the then plant manager Manfred Moll approached him about the group looking for a site manager, Felix Wimmer accepted.
He is excited by the opportunity to help shape the transition and to breathe new life into the plant that he himself helped to "empty." The generalist enjoys familiarizing himself with new topics, and this transformation in the heart of Aachen creates what feels like 1,000 new topics that are bombarding him. "It requires a rethink to enable new forms of business here again. From start-ups to established medium-sized companies – I find that exciting!"
And he is convinced that it has potential. Rental inquiries are piling up, and they come from many different industries: from the metal construction sector, for example, from ventilation and heating technology, biotechnology, and energy production. Inquiries come from IT and software companies, manufacturing companies, trade fair constructors, craft businesses, and smaller construction companies. Classic medium-sized businesses.
Where one door finally closed in 2022, a new one is now opening. C-WERK is being developed into a highly potent business location that creates optimal conditions for manufacturing companies while offering a modern, forward-looking infrastructure. And Felix Wimmer is part of it.
"When the plant closure was announced to the workforce in spring 2020, there was disbelief and shock because no one saw it coming."
Felix Wimmer, Technical Site Manager, C-WERK
"Friendly takeover": From "Conti" to the Landmarken family
It is not only the site manager who has a "Conti" background. Ralf Theunissen, who is responsible for communications and electrical engineering with great commitment and bears enormous responsibility, also worked at Conti. "Without him, nothing would work here," says Felix Wimmer.
The same applies to Stefan Schurkus, who takes care of everything to do with fluids and mechanics, and Thorsten Günther, who is responsible for heating and installations. The fifth member of the "Conti" alumni group is Uwe Hippmann. The firefighter and sprinkler technician knows the fire alarm and water extinguishing systems like no other. Peter Franck, who got to know the site as a building technician and sprinkler technician for Stadtmarken during the purchase process, completes the experienced team.
"Creating the conditions for smaller and larger businesses to settle here, with reasonable infrastructure, reasonable energy and rental prices, and amenities such as entertainment and restaurants, is something that has potential and appeals to me."
Felix Wimmer, Technical Site Manager, C-WERK
