Essen: In the coming years, TÜV NORD GROUP will transform its own campus and the adjacent Technologiepark Nord commercial area in Essen-Frillendorf into a model for a modern, sustainable technology park. A range of property measures will significantly upgrade this area on the A40.

TÜV NORD GROUP is completely redeveloping the northern part of its site at the technology park in Essen. The park is a commercial area of approximately 160,000 m² with an adjacent woodland, directly beside the A40 exit in Essen-Frillendorf. The enclosed TÜV NORD CAMPUS occupies the southern section. The northern section, covering approximately 75,000 m², is to be developed with energy-efficient office and warehouse buildings. A day-care centre and a new TÜV NORD service station are also planned. The first major project will be Atlas Copco’s new German headquarters.

“Essen remains a first-class business location. The new Atlas Copco headquarters will be another landmark project alongside the new business addresses of renowned companies such as ALDI NORD, RWE, Deichmann and opta data, which have committed to Essen for the long term and created modern working environments,” says Thomas Kufen, Mayor of Essen.

Andre Boschem, Managing Director of EWG – Essener Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft, adds: “We are pleased that Atlas Copco, with around 350 employees, has remained in Essen and will have its German headquarters at TÜV NORD CAMPUS. This also confirms our strategic focus on innovation districts and climate-friendly business parks as the future of commercial development.”

The first office building in the northern section will house Atlas Copco’s new German headquarters. TÜV NORD GROUP, as developer, plans to complete it in 2025 and hand it over to the Swedish Atlas Copco Group as its first tenant; the letting was arranged by brokerage Brockhoff. Atlas Copco currently operates its German headquarters on Langemarckstraße. The new lease runs for 15 years, with an option to extend it by a further 12 years. “At the Atlas Copco Group, we are committed to being part of the solution for a better future,” says Achim Bettendorff, General Operations Manager at Atlas Copco. “By integrating sustainability into all our activities, we are following our top priority of delivering value to our customers. Moving to the technology park lays the foundation for us to follow the Atlas Copco Group’s science-based targets for reducing emissions while offering future generations of employees a new, modern working environment.”

The Atlas Copco building will provide approximately 6,600 m² of office space for 350 employees. It will include multi-space areas and collaboration zones for interdisciplinary exchange, combining seating and quiet spaces with special areas that could, for example, feature a table football game. A hall of approximately 1,600 m² is also planned for exhibitions and equipment. In 2025, after 25 years, Atlas Copco will leave its Langemarckstraße premises, which no longer meet current office and energy standards because of their age. The new building is designed to use resources efficiently, with a particular focus on saving energy, water and materials. Its roof is designed to accommodate a photovoltaic system. The building will be connected to the existing district heating network, helping reduce CO₂ emissions. Total investment, including the car park and outdoor areas, exceeds €50 million. “We are very pleased that the marketing of our attractive space has got off to such a strong start,” says Christian Gorris, Managing Director of TÜV NORD Immobilien. Rental income will benefit the TÜV NORD Pension Trust and thus the retirement provision of TÜV NORD GROUP employees.

The first warehouse complex, covering approximately 3,500 m², will be used as a sports park by Munich-based operator Ultimate Padel Germany, which has already signed a long-term lease. From late 2023, padel tennis is expected to be available on more than 10 courts. The Swedish UP Group currently operates 100 sports parks across Europe.

Photovoltaics and district heating

Climate protection is high on the agenda not only for the site now being developed, as TÜV NORD GROUP works towards its own goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. Photovoltaic panels covering 1,650 m² are currently being installed on the roof of an inspection hall. Christian Gorris expects annual output of 300,000 kilowatt-hours. The company invested €400,000 in installing the panels, and the system is expected to pay for itself within 10 years. “As a rule, we account for the additional roof loads required for a photovoltaic system in all new buildings,” explains Christian Gorris.

Against the backdrop of current concerns about energy shortages, heat supply is becoming an increasingly important issue. The new central building at TÜV NORD CAMPUS, inaugurated in early October 2021, is already heated entirely by district heating. Work is under way to connect all the other existing buildings on the site to the district heating network. This will reduce fossil fuel consumption and is another important step towards the company’s goal of climate neutrality by 2030.

Approximately 1,500 people work at TÜV NORD CAMPUS, and workspaces must be provided for them all. The pandemic has shown that location-independent work functions very well in many areas. As a result, desk sharing is currently being piloted in parts of the group, with several employees sharing one desk. Anyone wishing to work in the office books a workspace through an app the day before. This makes efficient use of office space and ensures that everyone who wants to come in can find a free desk. The concept also supports work-life balance, as many employees no longer need to come to the office every day.

Many insects have also found a new home at TÜV NORD CAMPUS. Since 2018, a 5,000 m² wildflower meadow has provided a habitat for wild bees and other insects.

Supporting employee satisfaction

Sustainability is about more than environmental protection; it also includes personnel policy. The company aims to offer attractive jobs to retain and recruit skilled employees. Many employees would like better opportunities to balance work and private life. TÜV NORD Group has been certified under the berufundfamilie audit since 2009.

A day-care centre will be built in the first construction phase on the northern site. It will be open to children of TÜV NORD GROUP employees at the Essen location, as well as to children of Atlas Copco employees. An external provider is expected to operate it. This will further improve work-life balance by reducing additional travel to and from potentially distant childcare facilities.

A modern, sustainable commercial area also needs an adequate supply of charging points for electric cars, particularly as electric vehicle fleets are growing rapidly. Around a year ago, 40 charging points were installed at TÜV NORD CAMPUS. During the first year of operation, enough electricity was supplied there to cover more than 1 million kilometres of driving. This enables TÜV NORD GROUP employees to switch to locally emission-free mobility.

“These many new initiatives show TÜV NORD GROUP acting as a responsible business. Together with the City of Essen’s economic development agency, we are creating a sustainable district for our own employees and future neighbouring office locations,” says Christian Gorris.