What are the main reasons for investing in Waggonwerk Brühl?
Marius Haller: It is a combination of several factors – such as our goal of greater sustainability, more attractive working conditions, and increased productivity. A key trigger was an analysis conducted last year. Among other things, this identified bottlenecks in various maintenance processes that were causing delays in the workflow and extending the turnaround time for wagons. It was clear to us then that we had to change this!
That sounds like there is a concrete need for action.
Marius: Absolutely. And that’s why we’re tackling many issues. One example is the planned new, covered damage assessment area. Currently, this takes place outside – without light or a roof. This affects working conditions and the quality of damage assessment. If we can identify more than 90% of damage right at the start, we’ve already made significant progress.
Another point is our roof infrastructure: the roofs are neither insulated nor completely watertight, so water can sometimes drip into the halls. So we can improve even further in terms of energy efficiency! Another positive side effect is that we are also preparing our roofs for a possible PV system in the long term.
What is the largest single item in the planned measures?
Marius: Quite clearly: the new administration and social building. Almost everyone here is familiar with the shower situation – and it is no longer acceptable. Currently, office workstations are spread across seven different locations on the factory premises, some of them in office containers. In the future, everything will be consolidated in a modern two-story building – with a new social area and an inviting entrance area on the ground floor and offices on the upper floor. This is long overdue, and we are certain that the new building will create a place that enables modern working and promotes interaction among employees.
What is the timeline for implementation?
Marius: The detailed schedule is still being worked out. Many measures, such as the administration building and the new damage assessment facility, can be constructed separately without disrupting day-to-day business. Smaller investments, such as new lifting jacks and fan heaters, are already being implemented in parallel in some cases. This means that changes will gradually become visible and noticeable to employees. The roofs will be more difficult, as close coordination is required. But with a clear roadmap in place, this is also achievable!
Did you know that…
…the origins of this traditional workshop date back to 19th-century Berlin?
What are the short- and medium-term objectives of the investment package?
Marius: In the short term, the focus is on rapid productivity improvements, for example through the new flare system, which is used to safely burn combustible or toxic residual vapors from tank cars during degassing. In the medium term, we want to position Waggonwerk Brühl as an attractive, modern, and sustainable employer—this will increase both employee satisfaction and our competitiveness.
> 13 million euros
This is how much VTG will invest in Brühl over the coming years.
What role does sustainability play in this?
Marius: A very big one. Today’s flares “heat up the environment” – that has to change. In the future, we want to be more energy-efficient by using the heat from the process. Insulating the buildings also plays an important role – this saves us a lot of energy in winter and summer. In the long term, we are looking into installing PV systems. These are all real steps toward a sustainable future.
What do the investments mean for local employees?
Marius: I think there’s something for everyone – whether you’re a blue-collar or white-collar worker. It’s about productivity, safety, sustainability, and, very specifically, everyday work: better equipment, better buildings, better conditions. And it’s a strong signal from VTG to Wesseling – it motivates us and strengthens our trust in the company.
What happens next?
Marius: We will keep our colleagues regularly informed about the progress of the construction work – whether it concerns the new flare, the social areas, or other projects. After all, these comprehensive investments involve much more than just the construction or renovation of buildings and facilities: we are gradually making our traditional workshop fit for the future and laying the foundations for a modern, sustainable working environment.
Did you know that…
…Waggonwerk Brühl has been part of VTG since 2002?
Thanks a lot for talking with us!
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