Aug 15 2008
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS AG plans to move its headquarters from Leverkusen to Cologne. Relocation is to be completed by 2011.
LANXESS will now begin discussions with the city of Cologne to identify possible sites.“LANXESS is today a well-positioned and globally successful enterprise. If we are to continue efficiently steering and supporting our growth course in the future, we need a Group headquarters building that provides us with optimal conditions,” explained Axel C. Heitmann, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG. “In recent years, Cologne has seen impressive development as a center of commerce. The city has an infrastructure which is unique in North Rhine-Westphalia and optimal transport connections. It was this aspect in particular which guided our decision. We are also pleased to keep our headquarters in the region in which we are, after all, firmly rooted.” About half of the 15,000 LANXESS employees worldwide are based here.
Key management functions at LANXESS are currently located in a number of buildings throughout the Leverkusen Chempark, and the capacities for suitable office space and parking are exhausted. These management functions are to be consolidated under one roof at the new Group headquarters building which, as well as providing sufficient space and ease of access, is to incorporate an innovative and effective office concept. Current planning is for around 500 of the some 8,000 LANXESS employees in Germany to relocate to the new building, which is to be financed preferably by an external investor.
Leverkusen will continue to play a central role for LANXESS in the future. “Leverkusen will remain our biggest and most important production location worldwide with the most employees. We will maintain our high level of commitment here in the future as well. Alone this year and next we will be investing around EUR 200 million at the site,” said Heitmann. Following the move, the company will also continue to use the building which now houses its headquarters at the Leverkusen Chempark.
For more information on chemicals, click here.